Babies often suffer from colic, right from birth!
These intestinal issues cause intense pain and uncontrollable crying, usually in the evening and just after a meal. A true nightmare for parents who are worried about their baby. First of all, let’s be clear: colic is not dangerous. But the discomfort it causes deserves to be addressed.
Anti-colic baby bottles are a good way to combat this trouble. They have been designed to help reduce stomach pain associated with air swallowing during feedings, which worsens colic when present…
In this article, we decode how anti-colic bottles work and explain to you when and until what age you can use them. Our goal? To help your little one (and you, parents) smile again in the coming days!
CONTENTS:
- Origin and causes of colic in babies
- How do anti-colic bottles work?
- When should you use an anti-colic bottle?
- Can you rely solely on anti-colic bottles to soothe your baby?
- Until what age should you use an anti-colic bottle?
- What features should you look for in an anti-colic bottle?
- In summary
Origin and causes of colic in babies
Infant colic is a symptom rather than a disease per se. Although the mystery surrounding its exact origin still hasn’t been fully solved, several causes are highlighted by the scientific community.
Here are a few:
1. Immaturity of the digestive system
- Colic in infants is thought to be caused by an immaturity of the digestive system at this stage of growth, leading to abdominal pain and more frequent gas during digestion.
2. An unbalanced diet in nursing mothers
- Colic in babies can be worsened by an unbalanced diet of the mother when exclusively breastfeeding or pumping, although this reason is not the only one and should not make you feel guilty! It is better to avoid foods such as:
- citrus fruits,
- spices,
- fried or fatty foods,
- dairy products (these can be consumed while breastfeeding, but sparingly).
What you eat inevitably ends up in your breast milk. Even though the quantities are minimal, this can cause bloating, gas, or discomfort in your child, whose still-fragile digestive system struggles to process this type of food.
3. Intolerance to CMP
- An intolerance to cow’s milk protein (CMP) can also cause these infamous colics. In this case, it is recommended to consult your doctor or pediatrician to discuss the situation and choose a CMP-free formula adapted to your baby.
4. Swallowing air during feedings
- Of course, one of the main causes of colic is air entering the stomach. This accumulation of air causes gas that is difficult for your child to expel, resulting in pain, wriggling, crying, screaming, and clenched fists. These are classic symptoms of infant colic but can be soothed with the use of an anti-colic bottle.
How do anti-colic bottles work?
The anti-colic bottle is designed to minimize the intake of air during feedings.
- They are usually equipped with a vent system that allows air to flow outward instead of down into your baby’s stomach. This helps prevent colic by reducing gas intake.
- Some models may offer an integrated anti-colic valve in the nipple. We talk more about this later in the article.
Let’s emphasize that infant colic tends to disappear around six months of age, with the introduction of solid foods. In reality, an anti-colic bottle can be used even if no colic occurs. In that case, use is preventive.
When should you use an anti-colic bottle?
Anti-colic bottles are especially helpful for babies who suffer from colic, right from birth.
To be sure that stomach pain is due to infant colic, it’s best to get advice from your pediatrician or family doctor first to avoid self-diagnosis and to accurately determine the underlying cause. A child in pain should always receive attention, and their discomfort should not be minimized in case there is a more serious issue.
Did you know?
Children who have trouble sucking or have a weak sucking ability can especially benefit from the advantages of anti-colic bottles! Poor suction causes more air intake and thus more gas to develop in the digestive system.
Can you rely solely on anti-colic bottles to soothe your baby?
Anti-colic bottles may help reduce symptoms of colic in babies, but they are not a miracle solution... Before trying to eliminate symptoms related to colic, ask yourself about the causes of the problem.
It’s important to understand that every baby is different and that, as mentioned earlier, the causes of colic are multifactorial:
- inappropriate formula,
- nipple flow too fast,
- poor position during the feeding,
- etc.
Once the problem is identified, it will be easier to adapt your response.
Until what age should you use an anti-colic bottle?
There’s no single answer to this question as every baby develops at their own pace and faces different challenges.
A bottle that can be used even after colic goes away
Some babies may need to use an anti-colic bottle for several months. It is not even necessary to switch back to a bottle without an anti-colic system once your child’s stomach pain stops.
A bottle useful right from birth!
To avoid being caught off guard, you can get an anti-colic bottle before going to the hospital for delivery. That way, if your baby has abdominal pain in the first days of life, you’ll have a bottle on hand specifically designed to reduce air intake and be ready for the situation with peace of mind.
What features should you look for in an anti-colic bottle?
There are many types of anti-colic bottles on the market, each with its own features. However, the main function will always remain the same: to reduce or even completely eliminate colic in your child.
An anti-colic valve on the nipple
Having an anti-colic valve on the nipple regulates how much air enters the bottle during feedings by acting as a “release outlet.”
A naturally slow flow nipple
A slow flow nipple prevents your baby from gulping meals—and too much air along with it…
A shape designed to reduce air intake
Some bottle shapes are better than others at minimizing the amount of air swallowed during feedings.
In summary
- Colic is a common condition, though its exact cause is still uncertain. Some solutions can improve the well-being of affected babies. Before taking action, it’s important to make sure there is no serious reason linked to your baby's pain.
- Afterward, using an anti-colic bottle may be a real lifesaver! Its features can help reduce air intake during feedings and soothe your baby.
- To complement your anti-colic bottle’s effects, we invite you to check out all our tips for calming infant colic!
