Colic - Diagnosis & Treatment

The diagnosis is usually made simply on your baby’s signs and symptoms. This is done after a physical examination to exclude other possible causes of pain such as infections, intestinal obstruction, heart problems and other injuries. For the most part, physicians are reluctant to perform laboratory or X-ray studies in babies.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment that will help or eliminate colic. Home treatment is usually all that is required. Remember, colic will eventually go away on its own no matter how severe it is or how it is treated. General preventive measures include the following:

Try preventing episodes of colic by minimizing stressful situations that can lead to crying. It’s much easier to prevent the crying than to stop it once it has already started.
Limit bright lights and loud noises. These can overstimulate your baby and lead to crying.
Check and change diapers before it bothers your baby.
Eliminate cow’s milk and other dairy products. While not proven to cause colic, some studies suggest that it might lead to colic.
Carry your baby in a backpack or front carrier so that he/she is with you, can feel your body and is in constant motion.
Reduce family stress and tension. Your baby is sensitive to the moods of persons around him/her and responds accordingly.
Avoid smoking. Nicotine in breast milk may cause abdominal problems. Second hand smoke can lead to respiratory problems, allergies, asthma and ear infections.
Feed your baby more often but with smaller portions to avoid overfeeding and hunger

Once colic has started and your baby is crying, the following measures might help comfort your baby:

Respond to the crying quickly to avoid allowing the baby to get so upset he/she cannot be consoled.
Offer food. Sometimes the baby is just hungry.
Offer a pacifier. Sucking is normal, healthy, and soothing activity for your baby.
Hold and cuddle your baby wrapped up snuggly in a warm blanket. Be careful not to overheat your baby.
Play some noise noise. A low, steady noise such as the vacuum cleaner or a hair dryer will sooth some babies. A CD of environmental sounds such as wind, rain or the ocean can be very comforting.
Apply warmth to the abdomen with a water bottle wrapped in a cloth or a warm bath.
Gentle massaging of the abdomen.
Try burping your baby if you suspect abdominal gas.
Reduce activities such as bright light and loud noise.

If all else fails, allow your baby to cry his/her self to sleep. Wrap your baby up and place him/her in the crib. Darken the room and eliminate all loud noises. Play some classical music. If after 15 minutes your baby is still crying pick him/her up and once more attempt to console.

DO NOT

Let your baby remain in the crib until exhausted from crying.
Other measures that you should not do is give your baby aspirin or alcohol.
Never shake or spank your baby for crying.
And do not provide any medications unless prescribed by your babies doctor.