Can you breastfeed during intestinal colic?

Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on September 11, 2024
00:00
00:00

If an infant experiences colic, during an episode, the child will exhibit localized pain causing crying and irritability, generally making it difficult to feed. Firstly, it is necessary to alleviate the symptoms of colic. This can be done by choosing to massage the abdomen clockwise to promote intestinal gas expulsion. Additionally, it is appropriate to orally administer probiotics or simethicone to aid intestinal motility. Applying heat to the infant’s abdomen and ensuring it is kept warm are also beneficial. As colic episodes usually involve severe crying, using the "airplane hold" can help alleviate localized symptoms. Once the child's symptoms subside, feeding can then be resumed, ensuring the quality of feeding is not compromised by pain, which could otherwise lead to insufficient feeding and consequently cause the next hunger episode to occur sooner.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Lin Zhong
Pediatrics
1min 4sec home-news-image

How long does infant colic last?

The duration of colic in each baby varies. It is brief, lasting only a few seconds in mild cases, and can extend to several minutes or even longer in severe instances. Symptoms of colic include paroxysmal crying, decreased appetite, and restless sleep at night. Colic generally occurs in babies around six months old. At this stage, a baby's gastrointestinal function is not yet fully developed, and the introduction of solid foods can make digestion difficult, leading to gas and bloating. If a baby experiences intestinal gas, this can lead to colic. To help relieve this, you can perform gas relief exercises with your baby, such as clockwise abdominal massage, which helps release the gas inside the intestines and alleviate colic. Additionally, administering probiotics to the baby can help regulate intestinal flora. If the gas is prominent, simethicone can be orally administered to absorb excess gas in the intestines and relieve pain. (Use of medications should be under the guidance of a physician.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zeng Hai Jiang
Pediatrics
43sec home-news-image

Does not crying after an airplane hug mean intestinal colic?

Infant colic, commonly occurring in about 20% of babies, is defined as a condition in healthy infants under three months old who cry for at least three hours per day, at least three days per week. The symptoms of infant colic usually start between two to four weeks of age and improve by three to six months. To alleviate the symptoms, one can gently rub the baby's belly clockwise and use a holding position known as the "airplane hold." This involves holding the baby in a prone position, lying face down on the parent's hand, resembling the posture of flying in an airplane. The "airplane hold" mainly helps to relieve gastrointestinal gas and colic in babies, and it generally lasts for about 30 minutes.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Quan Xiang Mei
Pediatrics
53sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wu Ben Rong
Pediatrics
43sec home-news-image

Will the baby still have intestinal colic if they fart a lot?

Children who fart frequently may also experience intestinal colic, which usually results from indigestion caused by various reasons. Some children may swallow a lot of air while feeding, which can also lead to colic. However, if a child farts a lot, it can indicate that the air in the abdomen has been expelled, and the likelihood of colic occurring under these circumstances is relatively small. But there are also some pathological factors that could lead to colic, so excessive farting does not necessarily mean that colic will not occur. It is suggested that when a child suffers from colic, parents can use heat application as a local treatment, which is very helpful in relieving the child's pain symptoms.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Tong Peng
Pediatrics
1min 5sec home-news-image

What should I do if a baby with colic won't sleep?

If an infant suffers from colic and has difficulty sleeping, treatment of the underlying condition should be conducted. It is essential to first understand the causes of colic, which are primarily due to the immature digestive system of the baby. If poor digestion leads to excessive intestinal gas and subsequently causes rapid intestinal movements, it may result in discomfort in the abdominal nerves, thus causing colic. The main treatments for colic should involve both diet and medication. In terms of diet, it is advisable to choose light, liquid-based, and easily digestible foods. It is also important to avoid overeating, opting instead for smaller, more frequent meals. Moreover, the use of probiotics and certain traditional Chinese medicinal formulations can help regulate the function of the spleen and stomach, aiding digestion and absorption. Additionally, abdominal massages can stimulate intestinal movements, facilitating the expulsion of gas and easing bowel movements, thereby potentially reducing the incidence of colic.