Infant colic—you know the term; if you are not currently experiencing it with your baby, you’ve likely heard about it. In either case, you probably wish you could relieve it. At Élhée, you know us too; we innovate for the daily well-being of your babies. In this article, we have decided to share our advice to help you understand the origins of colic, recognize them, and above all, soothe them naturally until they disappear.
SUMMARY:
- Infant colic: Understanding this common phenomenon
- 7 natural and effective approaches for baby's abdominal pain
- How our grandmothers soothed little tummy aches
- 2 innovations that are changing babies' lives
- Persistent colic: Getting help and protecting the family cocoon
Infant colic: Understanding this common phenomenon
Infant colic occurs in 10 to 40% of babies, making it a very common reason for pediatric consultations. At the doctor's office, parents describe them as episodes of intense crying, inconsolable and frequent, usually in the late afternoon or evening, in a healthy baby.
In addition, according to the Rome IV criteria (a set of standardized definitions used to diagnose functional gastrointestinal disorders), infant colic is medically defined by paroxysms of irritability, restlessness, or crying that occur for no apparent reason, for at least three hours a day, three days a week, and for at least one week. Finally, symptoms usually appear around two weeks of age and resolve spontaneously around four months.
Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the cause, including immaturity of the digestive system (before birth, baby was nourished through the umbilical cord), an imbalance of the gut flora (notably a lack of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli), allergies or food intolerances (cow’s milk may be responsible for some cases of colic), or psychosocial factors such as parental anxiety.
To find the best way to relieve infant colic, it is essential to identify it and rule out other possible causes of crying in your infant: gastroesophageal reflux, infections, neurological disorders, or trauma.
6 natural and effective approaches for baby's abdominal pain
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Place a warm compress or your warm hands on baby's tummy to relax the abdominal muscles and help release gas.
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Try abdominal massages with the palm of your hand, moving in a clockwise direction on your baby’s belly. You can also gently fold their legs onto their tummy or initiate a bicycle movement to help release trapped gas more easily.
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Thanks to its relaxing effect on the whole body, a bath at 98.6 °F (37 °C) can relieve colic pain and the tension that comes with it.
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Many parents also find that a lukewarm bottle warmed to about 98.6 °F (37 °C) seems to aid digestion.
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Babywearing is also known to soothe babies in many situations, including colic. Here again, warmth plays a role, as does closeness to the parent and gentle pressure from the baby carrier itself.
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Creating a calm environment—soft lighting, lullabies…—is equally beneficial to help reduce your baby’s stress and, therefore, colic symptoms.
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In terms of nutrition, for breastfed infants, talk with your pediatrician about a diet excluding cow’s milk proteins from your own diet. For formula-fed babies, ask about hydrolyzed preparations or amino acid-based formulas (Neocate by Nutricia), which are easier to digest (Alfaré and Althéra by Nestlé, Pepticate by Nutricia…) than standard powdered formulas.
How our grandmothers soothed little tummy aches
And because colic has been complicating babies’ lives for a long time, here are, in addition, several anti-colic remedies our grandmothers used—timeless tips still to be practiced lovingly today.
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If you are breastfeeding, drink herbal teas made from fennel, chamomile, or verbena. This can help soothe your baby's upset tummy at each feeding, through your milk.
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Before slings and baby carriers existed, grandmothers would lay their baby face down on their forearm and rock them gently. This creates gentle pressure on the abdomen and helps relieve colic pain.
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Sesame oil, known for its antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and digestion-stimulating properties, may help relieve colic when massaged directly onto baby’s tummy.
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Sucking can also provide genuine comfort to infants and help them calm down. So, if you notice your baby is uncomfortable or in pain, do not hesitate to offer them their pacifier or introduce a new one. By the way, did you know that Élhée has designed its own baby pacifier? Ultra-thin and ultra-soft, it is the only pacifier made from 100% medical-grade silicone and crafted in one piece!
2 innovations that are changing children's lives
Several studies, including one conducted by INRAE Occitanie-Toulouse, have shown that certain oligosaccharides naturally present in breast milk can significantly decrease gastrointestinal and visceral pain in babies. How? By modulating communication between the microbiome, gut, and brain. This insight leads to the development of more digestible formulas for all infants.
Meanwhile, Élhée anti-colic bottles are already making a difference! Rounded with a unique design close to the breast, flexible thanks to a bottle made entirely of medical-grade silicone, and innovative due to an anti-colic valve built into the nipple, they significantly reduce the amount of air swallowed during feeding and thus the risk of colic.
Persistent colic: Getting help and protecting the family cocoon
Despite your best efforts and all the soothing methods we’ve just shared, sometimes infant colic can be especially painful and difficult to relieve. In such cases, don’t hesitate to seek out other resources—for both your baby and your family life.
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If symptoms persist despite your care, a switch in formula or bottle, massages, or warm compresses—if baby cannot be soothed, if crying lasts for hours, or if colic gets worse… Consult a healthcare professional—doctor or pediatrician.
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Some studies suggest that osteopathy may help relieve infant colic by reducing pelvic muscle tension and improving intestinal motility.
Finally, since colic can cause stress and fatigue for the whole family, it’s important to seek support from friends, family, or parent groups who have been through this. Throughout these first months, more than ever, take care of yourself: take turns resting, let your other children stay with their grandparents... Infant colic is benign and will eventually disappear on its own between three and four months of age.
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