How do you stop colic in breastfed babies?

Understanding Colic in Breastfed Babies
Colic is a term that describes excessive crying in infants, often characterized by episodes of intense discomfort and fussiness. While the exact cause of colic remains a mystery, it typically manifests in healthy babies, usually starting around two weeks of age and peaking around six weeks, before gradually resolving by three to four months. For parents, the experience can be distressing, leading to sleepless nights and feelings of helplessness.
Dietary Adjustments for Relief
One of the most effective strategies for managing colic in breastfed babies involves examining the mother’s diet. Certain foods consumed by breastfeeding mothers can contribute to colic symptoms in their infants. Common culprits include dairy products, nuts, soy, eggs, caffeine, garlic, spicy foods, and shellfish. By eliminating these items from their diet, mothers may observe a significant improvement in their baby’s symptoms. It’s advisable for mothers to keep a food diary to track what they eat and correlate it with their baby’s behavior, which can help identify potential triggers.
Soothing Techniques
In addition to dietary changes, there are several soothing techniques that parents can employ to help calm a colicky baby. Holding the baby for extended periods can provide comfort, as can gentle rocking or swaddling. Some parents find that introducing a pacifier can offer instant relief, although not all breastfed babies will accept it.
Moreover, using over-the-counter remedies such as simethicone gas drops or natural products like Colic Calm® may help alleviate gas discomfort, which is often associated with colic.
Emotional Support for Parents
It’s crucial for parents to remember that colic is not a reflection of their parenting abilities. The experience can be overwhelming, and feelings of frustration or inadequacy are common. Experts emphasize the importance of self-care and seeking support from family or friends during these challenging times.
Conclusion
While colic can be a trying phase for both infants and their parents, understanding its potential causes and implementing dietary adjustments, soothing techniques, and emotional support can significantly ease the burden. Most importantly, parents should remain patient, as colic typically resolves on its own as the baby matures.

What does colic poop look like?

Parents of infants with colic correlated crying to stomach aches and a disturbed gut function [2,16]. In a qualitative study they remarked that their infants had bowel movements more than ten times/day or hardly at all and that the stools were green, explosive and foul-smelling [2].

What positions reduce colic while breastfeeding?

The ‘colic curl’ position – place your baby’s head and back against your chest and encircle your arms under her bottom.

Is colic caused by overfeeding?

Possible Causes of Colic
Causes of colic may include any of the following: Pain from gas. Hunger. Overfeeding.

What foods should breastfeeding moms eat to prevent colic?

It is most important to consume a diet with plenty of water and an adequate consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and low-fat dairy sources.

Why does my breastfed baby have colic?

Maternal diet – certain foods in the mother’s diet may cause symptoms of food allergy or intolerance in her breastfed baby. Some studies have found that particular foods eaten by the motherincluding cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, chocolate, onions and cow’s milkcan cause an attack of colic in her breastfed infant.

Why avoid strawberries while breastfeeding?

A quart or more of orange juice or a diet heavy in seasonal fruits such as strawberries, melons or cherries have been associated with diarrhea and colicky symptoms in some infants. Foods containing many preservatives, additives or dyes have been associated with signs of discomfort in some babies.

What age is worst for colic?

Episodes of colic usually peak when an infant is about 6 weeks old and decline significantly after 3 to 4 months of age. While the excessive crying will resolve with time, managing colic adds significant stress to caring for your newborn child.

What position should I breastfeed to prevent colic?

Try laid-back breastfeeding. This position has you reclining on your back (flat or at an angle) while baby is belly-to-belly with you. While you are on your back and baby’s head is above the breast, gravity helps to slow the flow of milk.

How can I reduce my colic while breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding mothers may reduce colic by making sure the baby is getting lots of “hindmilk” at each feeding and not just “foremilk.” This can happen by making sure one breast is finished before offering the other or only offering one at feeding and emptying it completely.

What is the 3-3-3 rule for colic?

The most commonly accepted definition of colic, which originated in 1954,4 describes using the “rule of three”: crying for more than three hours per day, for more than three days per week, and for more than three weeks in an infant that is well-fed and otherwise healthy.