Colic – Indigestion Among Infants
Colic - Meaning
Indigestion is never a good experience for anyone. But did you ever stop to think how excruciating it must be for an infant? Colic, in its many forms, is painful for everyone concerned.
Colic painful on the child, but it’s perhaps more painful for the people around that child. Millions of mothers will attest to the fact that they would gladly take on their baby’s sickness, if it meant relief for their beloved offspring.
Colic, also known as infant colic, or infant indigestion, is one of the most misunderstood of conditions. Colic, at one point or another, has been termed simply as “crying”, “fussiness”, and yes, indigestion.
There is no single definition for colic; we just know that the infant is in intense discomfort, and that the discomfort is very much connected to his/her digestive procedure.
Perhaps the causes of the pain are different with each child. For the most part, colic starts when a baby is six weeks old and lasts until he/she is about three or four months. Only a minority of colic cases go beyond six months.
Colic Symptoms
Colic is characterized by crying. Lots of it! In fact, the crying is inconsolable. A mother may tire out all means to get the child to calm down, but for one reason or another, the baby does not stop. It seems to be in pain.
When a colic baby cries, sudden spasmodic abdominal cramping will occur, and he/she will automatically draw up his/her knees, clench his/her fists, and turn red in the face. The baby’s whole body tenses up, and it is easy to see that the child is in pain.
The crying itself comes in the form of a high-pitch scream – a definite sign that something is wrong. As the baby cries, he/she begins to suck in more air, which builds up gas in the stomach and makes things worse.
Colic most often strikes during the late afternoon, and into the evening. A bout can last for hours, which can be a real strain on the mental capacity of the child’s caretaker. Most cases report that the malady strikes at regular time periods – for instance, a child may become colicky at 5 pm each day, without fail.
This little piece of information should help you prepare for what may be an emotional ordeal.
Causes Of Colic
Some medical practitioners believe that colic is a type of allergic reaction. Most agree that it is at least partially the result of the child’s dietary habits. Being overfed or underfed is enough reason for Colic to strike.
The likewise is true when the baby has been fed too much fat, sugar, or protein. Bottle-fed babies also seem to be at a higher risk than breastfed babies. As with indigestion in adults, stress may play an important role in Colic.
Parents and caretakers must take infinite pains to give an environment that is free from unnecessary jitters, or nervousness. In one way or another, the baby seems to pick up on an atmosphere like this, and it upsets his/her stomach.
