Forum Topic: Colic

FORUM TOPIC: Colic
Author: "New Research published in Pediatrics show that [quote]95 percent of colicky babies who were given probiotic drops cried dramatically less after one month. The probiotic used in the study Lactobacillus reuteri which is available without a prescription." - elka chavez Master Herbalist

Post Comments:
"My son suffered from bouts of colic. Since I was breastfeeding, I pared down to a very basic allergen free diet. Then I reintroduced foods to see if there were any reactions. I found I could eat goat dairy, but not cow. I had to stay away from wheat as well. Other sources of painfully gassy foods for their tiny, underdeveloped intestinal tracts include, onion, garlic, leeks, all the brassica (these include broccoli, kale, cabbage and cauliflower) Sometimes soy, mushrooms and fruit and especially dried fruit. Oh! sugar and caffeine can really be hard for a baby! Everything passes through breast milk. Luckily, that means chamomile and catnip tea. Check out Susan Weed's book "Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year" She suggests acidophilus as well as tea made from fennel, dill, caraway, anise, cumin, or coriander. She says, "Drink a cup of seed tea as you settle down to nurse; the antispasmodic and carminative effects pass readily into your breast milk. Or give your baby a bottle of seed tea to suck on. Prepare seed tea by pouring one cup of boiling water over a scant teaspoon of any one of these seeds. Steep for no more than fifteen minutes. Strain very thoroughly before filling baby's bottle." - Katie

"I would like to expand on the New Yorker article (Sept 17th 2007 edition); I use essential oils for colic babies. I have authored the book "Raising Children Well with Aromatherapy". When my first daughter was born she was very colicky. I would make a massage oil blend that I would use regularly for the times when she was uncomfortable.
2 oz. sweet almond oil
4 drops of Lavender
1 drop of Chamomile R.
For a more severe colic; I would use 4 drops of dill in place of the Lavender and Chamomile R. I would rub her belly in a circular motion. Dill is not the sweetest scent; however, it worked for us. You can also turn the baby over and massage the lower portion of her/his back." - Aster, student HHP

Mama's Comments:
I am a mother of two boys. Before my boys were born I was a nanny for ten years. I am very familiar with Colic. However, I am just as familiar with all of the different ways that colic manifests itself as well as all of the many ways that mothers have found to alleviate it's symptoms.

When I gave birth to my first son he was born with severe GERD. I could not lay him down at all for his first two months of life. He slept in his bouncy seat and swing. His GERD was also accompanied with Colic. Unfortunately, the only solution I found for him was Probiotics (I say this because I know there are other things that help.) The probiotics are a very good idea. I know they are helpful. But they do not give an immediate relief to the colic symptoms.

I found the right tools for colic when my second son was born. He did not have GERD. But he did have colic. I have three recommendations:

1. Gripe Water. I prefer the Baby's Bliss brand (however, after this course I will be able to make my own;) Gripe water is an herbal supplement that consists mainly of fennel and ginger. Both fennel and ginger aid in digestion. The two work synergisticly to calm and sooth the baby. My son (as well as other baby's that I have recommended it for) seem to find relief from Gripe Water within 20 minutes after taking it.

2. Lavender Oil. My son seemed to respond well when I used Lavender Oil. Sometimes I would put a drop on his clothing. Other times I put the Lavender Oil in a humidifier and I would lay my son nearby.

3. Swaddling Blankets. A general rule of thumb for all infants is that swaddling them will work wonders. However, if they are experiencing painful gas, tight swaddling might add to the anxiety. To determine if the baby is experiencing gas pains lay them on their back (unswaddled) and watch their legs for a few minutes. If the baby pulls up their legs at the same time they cry out (almost like doing a crunch or a sit up) then chances are they are experiencing gas pains. If this is the case, still swaddle the baby to help them feel the comfort and security, just don't wrap them as tight. You want them to be able to move their legs enough to be able to pull them up and relieve the gas if possible.