Causes of Colic

​1. Stomach colic
Stomach colic starts early and usually relates to feeding. This can be due to not latching nicely. Or gulping in air when feeding. Or tongue ties. Or not getting all the burps out. 

 

• Typically starts in weeks 1-2

• Symptoms are most noticeable in the hour or two after a feed

• Baby doesn't burp regularly or is hard to burp

• Fussy feeder, doesn't latch well, guzzles milk 

• Can have runny, milky reflux which comes up soon after a feed

• The better they burp, the better they feel​

 

2. Intestinal colic

When gas gets trapped in the lower digestive tract, we call it intestinal colic. This can be due to gas that never got burped out and has now passed downward. Or a build up of gas from normal digestion that is not passing out the bottom end fast enough. Or gas build up from an unsuitable formula. Or previous use of anti-biotics. Or a failure to digest milk. 

 

• Typically starts in weeks 2-6

• Symptoms can occur throughout the day and even when sleeping

• Lots of cramping, moaning and groaning, pushing and straining

• Can be bloated and hard in the abdominal area

• Can have chunky style reflux which comes up long after a feed

• Most likely to lead to disturbed sleep 

• Most likely type to cause prolonged crying spells

• As time goes by, body can become quite stiff and tense  

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3. Reflux

When gas pockets get stuck in the digestive tract, it slows the passage of milk. So reflux is often a symptom of one of the types of gassy colic. This can be harmless or cause milk to start digesting in the wrong place, resulting in acid burn and pain. Frequent feeding can also be a problem As can a formula that is not digesting well.

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A. Runny milk - Overfeeding or bubbles in stomach

• Baby throws up runny milk, not long after feeds 

• Frequent spit ups - small amounts

• Doesn't appear to bother baby

• Usually overfeeding or bubbles in the stomach

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B. Chunky, cottage cheesy milk - Milk can't get through

• Throw up mix of runny and chunky milk, anytime and often long after feeds 

• Baby often has symptoms of intestinal colic

• Can progress to high pitched screaming spells

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4. Musculoskeletal colic
A significant percentage of fussy, restless babies who are diagnosed with colic, don't in fact have true colic, but rather a muscle spasm or spinal alignment problem. This can be due to position in the womb, birth trauma eg forceps or ventouse delivery, caesarean delivery and plain old bad luck. ​Diagnostic signs of musculoskeletal issues:

 

• Often appears stuck in a curled up ball with legs pulled up toward chest

• Might be bent to one side (banana baby)

• Head movement favors one side

• One leg frequently pulled up 

• Baby eats well, burps, farts and poops well

• May moan from discomfort but not strain as if pushing out gas

• Body seems tight and tense

• Often arches backward

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5. Milk and food allergies
A small percentage of fussy, restless babies who are diagnosed with colic, don't in fact have true colic, but rather are reacting to something in their diet. This can be hard to diagnose and may require further testing by your pediatrician or an allergist. Some signs of an allergy:

 

• Rash, often reddish

• Diarrhea and vomiting

• Runny and blocked nose

• Watery eyes

• Wheezy chest and shortness of breath

• Baby eats well, burps, farts and poops well

• Not common in breastfed babies

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6. Neurological colic / Overstimulation
A small percentage of unhappy babies have been overstimulated at some point and their nervous system has become overwhelmed. Or this could be the result of ongoing gassy or musculoskeletal colic :

 

• Crying inconsolably - many hours a day

• Jerky movements and waving arms around

• Excessive yawning and hiccuping

• Watery or glassy eyes

• May seem listless 

• Baby eats well, burps, farts and poops well

• Not common in breastfed babies

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​7. Diaphragmatic spasm or tension

A small percentage of unhappy babies have a problem with their diaphragm - a band of muscle separating the upper and lower compartments of the abdomen:

 

• Frequent, lengthy bouts of hiccups

• Can happen anytime

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8. Hunger
A small percentage of unhappy babies are simply not getting enough to eat. Their brains satiation center is not satisfied and so they manifest with some of the symptoms of colic. Signs include:

 

• Fussy and irritable 

• Can be underweight for their age, but not necessarily

• Seems limp and listless

• Always hungry with decreased feeding interval

• Not much poop coming out

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9. Constipation
Lots of babies have constipation at some stage, and in most cases, it is harmless. But sometimes, trapped gas can cause the passage of feces to slow down, resulting in a drying out and hardening of the fecal matter. Signs include:

 

• Excessive pushing and straining

• Not much poop coming out

• What comes out is harder than should be for a baby