Colic in healthy newborns is usually indicated by excessive crying associated with: Signs of pain Pulling the legs up to the belly Emission of gases (sometimes). The cramps are recurrent but the baby is comfortable between episodes. They are more common and intense during the baby’s first three months . At this stage, colic results from a build-up of gases in the newborn’s as-yet immature digestive tract and he or she is unable to pass them. Your baby may inadvertently inhale when using a pacifier or breastfeeding, and the mouth is poorly adapted to the nipple or teat, especially: If his or her nose is blocked If the teat is not completely filled with milk. Distension of the bowel by the gases causes pain and makes the baby cry. When crying, the baby swallows more air. This exacerbates the pain and the baby keeps crying. It is therefore necessary to interrupt this vicious cycle by correcting its predisposing factors. If a baby cries a lot, after excluding other causes of pain and concluding that crying is due to colic, keep calm and try to help the baby with some moves and tricks , including: Ensure the baby has a clear nose, especially during feeds Optimise adaptation of the baby's mouth to the nipple or teat during breastfeeding Make sure the teat is full of milk if bottle feeding Hold the baby upright and give him or her the opportunity to burp in the middle and at the end of feeds Perform manoeuvres to help expel the gases in the bowels. To do this, carefully massage the baby's belly with a fatty cream so that the hands slide smoothly. Gently fold the baby's legs towards the belly to facilitate release of accumulated gases. Do not perform these manoeuvres immediately after feeding. Gently soothe the baby, cradling him or her and talking or singing softly. Change the mother's diet, avoiding foods that give her gas. For babies fed with formula, strictly respect the doses indicated for preparation of the bottle. In some cases, when appropriate, your paediatrician may also recommend medication to calm and relieve colic . Always remember that the baby does not know what is happening and needs calm and care to help him or her. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
