What to do about infantile colic?

Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
Updated on September 12, 2024
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Infantile colic is generally spasm-induced pain in the intestines. During acute episodes, a hot water bottle can be applied to the abdomen to alleviate symptoms. Additionally, massaging the abdomen in a clockwise direction can promote intestinal peristalsis, thus facilitating the expulsion of gas and bowel movements, which helps relieve symptoms of intestinal colic. Furthermore, dietary considerations are crucial for infants experiencing colic. Consumption of foods high in animal proteins such as milk, eggs, and fish may trigger colic episodes. Therefore, it is advisable to consume more vegetables and fruits which are rich in rough fibers, as they promote bowel movements and can reduce the frequency of colic episodes.

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Is pediatric tuina massage effective for intestinal colic?

When infants experience intestinal colic, it is generally due to excessive gas accumulation in the intestinal cavity, where the gas cannot be normally expelled from the body, leading to abdominal pain. Appropriate use of pediatric massage techniques can be employed to treat this condition, which can effectively alleviate the symptoms. Especially, clockwise massaging the abdomen of the affected child has a very clear clinical effect in promoting intestinal peristalsis and gas expulsion. In addition, assisting children with some lower limb exercises can also promote gastrointestinal motility and gas expulsion. If there is abnormal stool, combining oral probiotics to regulate and maintain the intestinal flora can be beneficial. If necessary, medications that promote gastrointestinal motility can also be taken orally to help with gas expulsion.

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What should babies with colic not eat?

Infantile colic, and what not to eat, depends on the cause of the colic. First, it is necessary to understand that infant colic is due to the immature development of the gastrointestinal function in infants. If some foods are not fully digested and absorbed, it can lead to increased accumulation of gas in the gut, thereby stimulating the nerves of the intestinal mucosa and causing colic. For such infants, it is best to avoid spicy, stimulating, and indigestible foods in the diet, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, etc. These foods are not easily digested and tend to produce gas. Additionally, it is important to avoid overeating, which can overburden the stomach and intestines, leading to symptoms of indigestion. Therefore, for symptoms of colic, the main approach is to control the diet, eat smaller, more frequent meals, and avoid overeating, which can worsen the burden on the stomach and intestines and exacerbate the symptoms.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
46sec home-news-image

What to do about infantile colic?

Infantile colic is generally spasm-induced pain in the intestines. During acute episodes, a hot water bottle can be applied to the abdomen to alleviate symptoms. Additionally, massaging the abdomen in a clockwise direction can promote intestinal peristalsis, thus facilitating the expulsion of gas and bowel movements, which helps relieve symptoms of intestinal colic. Furthermore, dietary considerations are crucial for infants experiencing colic. Consumption of foods high in animal proteins such as milk, eggs, and fish may trigger colic episodes. Therefore, it is advisable to consume more vegetables and fruits which are rich in rough fibers, as they promote bowel movements and can reduce the frequency of colic episodes.

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Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
1min 7sec home-news-image

Can infantile colic cause vomiting milk?

Intestinal colic can cause vomiting. There are many reasons for intestinal colic, mainly due to the incorrect nursing posture of the mother and the baby swallowing a large amount of air when crying, leading to intestinal bloating, which then causes intestinal irritation. Additionally, it could be due to the high protein and sugar content in breast milk or formula, which increases the load on the baby's digestive system, leading to intestinal bloating and stimulating bleeding from intestinal colic. Any painful stimulus can lead to intestinal colic in babies. During pain, some of the body's emergency responses, such as gastrointestinal spasms and stomach contractions, can lead to vomiting. Therefore, it is crucial to control the diet for babies experiencing abdominal pain, especially those diagnosed with intestinal colic. It is important to monitor whether the baby has symptoms like abdominal bloating or abnormal stools. In daily life, adopting a diet of frequent small meals can help reduce acute intestinal occurrences and minimize irritation to the intestinal walls.

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The difference between infant lactose intolerance and colic

Baby lactose intolerance is due to a lack of lactase, causing a range of symptoms, which we diagnose as lactose intolerance. These symptoms may include diarrhea and bloating, among which colic can also occur. Colic is just one of the symptoms. In many cases, such as infant lactose intolerance, severe diarrhea, and bloating, colic may occur. Colic symptoms can also arise when a child’s abdomen is exposed to cold, or other causes of intestinal diseases, such as viral or bacterial infections resulting in enteritis, may also present colic symptoms in children. Moreover, in common surgical diseases such as appendicitis, colic might also occur. Therefore, colic is merely one of the symptoms, and infant lactose intolerance is a general term for a disease.