Colic in newborns: causes and remedies for stomach ache
Infant colic is an extremely common problem in infants (both breastfed and formula-fed).
Unfortunately, even though the baby has difficulty digesting , cries desperately, makes gas and has difficulty emptying his stool, most of the time parents are told that colic is normal and physiological, and that it will pass on its own with time.
The truth is quite different: it is NOT normal for your baby to cry, suffer and feel bad because he has a stomach ache, has difficulty breathing and a swollen abdomen.
Infant gas colic, like gastroesophageal reflux , is caused by an irritant and inflammatory condition of the intestine (see recent scientific study reported below) that can be PREVENTED (from pregnancy or the first days of life) and/or CURED in the first months of life.
Every month I treat hundreds of newborns to successfully cure infant colic (read more than 260 verified reviews on Google by typing Matteo Silva Osteopath ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐).
In this article and in the dedicated video course I will explain what newborn colic really is, the real causes why it occurs and how to treat it effectively .
Before starting, I'll leave you some useful information:
- If you would like to schedule a studio visit with me, you can find me here.
- You can also find me on Instagram with the profile @drsilva.com_official
- You can find an in-depth video course on how to treat gas colic here .
Colic in newborns: introduction
First of all, it is important to clarify that infant colic is NOT physiological , it is NOT normal and it does NOT go away on its own.
Your baby doesn't have to suffer , cry and feel bad.
You parents are not meant to walk around for hours holding your baby face down in your arms while he cries desperately for hours.
Unfortunately, until a few years ago, there was no solution to newborn baby stomach ache and mothers and fathers found themselves forced to try all possible suggestions: from colic drops to formula milk to strange diets.
However, thanks to new studies and my experience as a pediatric osteopath , I have been able to identify all the parameters that cause colic in newborns and resolve them effectively.
The result? Just a lot of bitterness, sleepless nights and wasted money.
Thanks to many years of study and daily clinical practice , I can now confirm that gas colic is caused by an inflammatory intestinal condition (that's why your baby has a swollen belly and a tense abdomen).
By knowing the factors that irritate and inflame the intestine , gas colic can be prevented and treated effectively.
The old definition of stomach ache in infants
Until a few years ago, since the real causes of infant colic were unknown, this problem was defined as a behavioral syndrome.
In other words, colic was defined as a complex of symptoms characterized by crying, alterations in intestinal transit and pain attacks during which the child has a stomach ache and passes gas or feces.
Here is the etymology of the term "infant colic " explained:
- colic derives from the term colon , the part of the intestine which was blamed for the cause of the problem;
- The term gassy comes from the fact that the baby often emits air during crying fits.
Colic was defined as such only if the crying bouts lasted more than 3 hours, on more than 3 days out of seven for at least 3 weeks.
This definition is called Wessel's rule of 3s , in honor of pediatrician Morris Arthur Wessel who formulated it back in 1954.
Furthermore, not knowing the real causes, the pain and gas emission were attributed to a fateful " intestinal immaturity of the newborn" (spoiler: false).
But according to you:
- Can your baby's gut be immature and not digest breast milk?
- Why should the baby's intestines not be mature and give such severe pain to the newborn?
Fortunately, in light of recent discoveries about infant colic and its causes, this term is old and outdated .
Recent scientific articles (see below), my many years of studies and clinical experience on thousands of newborns can confirm that gas colic is caused by an inflammatory intestinal condition .
Some statistics: How many newborns suffer from it?
According to some data, neonatal colic affects 15% to 35% of babies in the first weeks of life .
In fact, most newborns begin to suffer from colic from the second or third week after birth , but it is possible for it to appear even in the first few days .
Unfortunately, these data may not be entirely true because colic is often not recognized. In fact, it can happen that it is mistaken for lack of milk in the mother's breast because the baby detaches and cries while he is eating.
This can lead to a double problem:
- Difficulty in breastfeeding because it is suggested to supplement with formula milk even though the baby is growing regularly;
- worsening of colic: because formula milk is much heavier to digest than breast milk.
In the next paragraph I will explain the symptoms to understand if your baby suffers from gas colic.