Understanding Colic: Causes, Symptoms, and Solutions for Moms

Nothing is more distressing than seeing your little one in discomfort, especially when they cry inconsolably for hours. If your child has prolonged crying spells with no apparent reason, they may be experiencing colic.

Colic is one of the most common yet distressing conditions that affect children, causing prolonged crying and discomfort. Studies indicate that up to 25% of healthy children experience colic and constipation, conditions often related to imbalances in gut bacteria¹.

Children who suffer from conditions like infantile colic, functional constipation, and regurgitation are more likely to encounter ongoing gastric discomfort and digestive issues later in life².

What Causes Colic in Children?

Several factors may contribute to it, including:

• Gut Imbalance: Poor gut health can manifest as symptoms such as eczema, food allergies, colic, and reflux. Research suggests that an imbalance in gut bacteria can lead to digestive discomfort in children.
• Gastrointestinal Sensitivity: Some children have immature digestive systems that struggle to process certain nutrients, leading to gas build-up and bloating.
• Food Intolerances: Certain components in breast milk or formula, such as lactose or cow’s milk protein, can trigger colic symptoms in sensitive children. However, partially hydrolyzed protein formulas are not hypoallergenic and should not be used for the dietary management of colic due to cow’s milk allergy.
• Gut Permeability: The root cause of many functional gastrointestinal disorders is gut permeability caused by chemicals, xenobiotics, and sugar alternatives. This can lead to increased sensitivity in a child’s digestive system, resulting in colic symptoms^3-7.

Signs and Symptoms of Colic

Colic is often characterized by excessive crying that lasts for at least three hours a day, three days a week, for three weeks or more. Other signs include:

• Intense crying episodes, often in the evening
• Clenched fists and arched back while crying
• Gassy or bloated tummy
• Difficulty sleeping due to discomfort
• Bright red (flushed) face
• Fussiness even after feeding

Tips for Moms: What Can You Do to Help?

Managing colic can be challenging, but there are several ways to ease your child’s discomfort:

• Check for Food Sensitivities: If your child is formula-fed, consider switching to a formula with probiotics or prebiotics that promote digestive health. Extensively hydrolyzed protein formulas reduce colic only in a small number of bottle-fed children.
• Support Gut Health: Poor gut health is often linked to colic. Ensuring a balanced gut microbiome through probiotics and prebiotic-rich foods may help reduce colic symptoms. The more likely cause of colic is the maldigestion of certain nutrients like undigested fiber, chemicals, added sugars, and preservatives in the food, which, when not processed or digested, linger in the gastrointestinal tract and produce gas.
• Soothing Techniques: Try swaddling, white noise, or gentle rocking to comfort your child. A warm bath or tummy massage can help relieve gas and ease discomfort.
• Monitor Feeding Habits: Feed your child in an upright position and burp them frequently to prevent gas buildup.
• Consult a Pediatrician: If colic symptoms persist or worsen, seek medical advice to rule out underlying digestive concerns or food allergies.

Treating Colic and Constipation

When addressing colic, it’s essential to identify the root cause. The more likely cause of colic is the maldigestion of certain nutrients like undigested fiber, chemicals, added sugars, and preservatives in food. When not properly processed or digested, these substances linger in the gastrointestinal tract and produce gas, leading to discomfort.

Moreover, you may choose a nutrition that can help ease your child's gut health problems. Early gut health support is essential, particularly during the critical development period in the first few years of life.

When your child turns three, HiPP Organic Kindermilk is formulated with Organic Microbiome Factors and prebiotics to support your child’s daily nutrition. This milk is part of a balanced diet for growing children.

For children born via Cesarean section, HiPP Organic CS Kindermilk includes Human Milk Probiotics and prebiotic GOS (galacto-oligosaccharides). These ingredients are commonly studied for their role in supporting digestion and overall well-being as part of a varied diet.

References:
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15. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Eating, Diet, & Nutrition for Constipation in Children. NIH-NIDDK resource page. Available at: www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/constipation-children/eating-diet-nutrition. Accessed April 20, 2022.
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