Baby colic causes pain, inconsolable crying—often involving screaming—stretching or pulling the legs up, and passing gas.
In this article, we will look at what baby colic is and how Pediatric Osteopathy can be a great help in relieving a newborn’s pain.
The reality is that all babies cry: it is the best (and only) way to communicate their needs at this tender age. And, as parents, we are biologically programmed to respond so that those needs are met.
There are no miracle cures for baby colic… the crying starts suddenly and for no apparent reason!
The term “colic” comes from “kolikos,” which in Greek means colon—the final part of the intestine.
Colic is not a disease; this term is used to identify excessive and inconsolable crying, likely caused by intestinal dysfunction.
It generally occurs in 1 out of every 5 babies.
Crying caused by colic can last for hours, usually from late afternoon until late at night.
There is no specific method, but below we will see some tips on how to relieve baby colic.
Pediatricians use the “RULE OF 3” as a diagnostic method.
The newborn cries:
The good news is that baby colic does not last forever. In most cases, colic begins when the baby is 2 or 3 weeks old (later in premature babies), peaks at around 6 weeks, and begins to subside by 10 or 12 weeks.
By the time they reach 3 months, most babies seem miraculously cured.
Colic can end suddenly—or gradually, alternating between calm and fussy days until it disappears completely.
There are remedies and tips to help resolve or reduce the crying fits caused by colic.
The exact cause of colic cannot be identified; there are many possible causes, such as gastrointestinal problems, neurological development, psychological factors, and inflammation or dysbiosis.
Many gastrointestinal disorders are identified as a possible cause of colic.
When experiencing colic, the newborn tends to pull up their legs and exhibit significant flatulence (intestinal gas).
An allergy to cow’s milk proteins or to other substances introduced by the mother through her diet, the production of intestinal gas, lactose intolerance, a poor latch during breastfeeding, or dysbiosis are all factors that can lead to gastrointestinal issues and cause colic.
Some specialists consider colic to be the result of an allergy to cow’s milk proteins in formula-fed babies.
More rarely, colic can be a reaction to specific foods in the mother’s diet in breastfed babies. In either case, these allergies or sensitivities can cause abdominal pain that can trigger colicky behavior.
The newborn has an immature gastrointestinal system, which can lead to difficulty breaking down and digesting proteins, causing intestinal inflammation and altering their flora.
Everything the mother ingests through her diet is also transmitted to the newborn.
A maternal diet high in cruciferous vegetables (such as cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, etc.) or with onions, beans, and eggs, can cause increased gas production in the baby.
It is also recommended to eliminate any product containing milk, due to the relationship explained earlier between the digestion of milk proteins and the baby’s intestine.
Scientific studies indicate that the main cause of colic is intestinal gas, resulting from bacterial fermentation, voracious feeding involving the ingestion of air during suction, or breastfeeding difficulties.
Research has found that infant GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) can trigger episodes of colic.
Reflux is often the result of an underdeveloped lower esophageal sphincter—the muscle that prevents stomach acid from flowing back up into the throat and mouth—which can irritate the esophagus.
Symptoms include frequent spitting up, feeding difficulties, and irritability during and after feedings.
The good news is that most babies outgrow GERD by around 1 year of age (and colic usually disappears much sooner than that).
Plagiocephaly, or “flat head” in newborns, creates a positional alteration of the head, compressing the jugular foramen (a cranial opening) through which the vagus nerve passes.
This generates an alteration in the nerve signaling between the visceral system and the brain.
Plagiocephaly can lead to problems with breastfeeding and head mobility.
Consequently, digestive difficulties may arise, causing colic.
In these cases, Pediatric Osteopathy is an effective remedy for newborn colic, as it helps resolve postural issues that can interfere with digestion.
One of the causes of colic can be the excessive ingestion of air during latching, which leads to increased air in the stomach and creates digestive difficulties.
If the newborn cannot achieve a proper latch on the breast or if the bottle nipple is unsuitable, the baby may become agitated and irritable, as well as feeding too voraciously.
It is necessary to check if there is any dysfunction at the cranial, cervical, jaw, or tongue level.
The first days of breastfeeding are very important and often difficult; the milk initially present in the breast is more “watery,” and only after a few days does the more nutritious milk, rich in fatty acids, arrive.
One should not give up immediately, but rather persist with the latch, even if the baby tends to let go.
Breast milk is produced based on the stimulation of the breast.
If the newborn has difficulty sucking, the cause could be due to weakness in the sucking muscles or dysfunctions of the TMJ (temporomandibular joint).
A dysfunction between the first cervical vertebrae can create a problem with head extension; consequently, the newborn cannot project the tongue, resulting in suction problems.
A study demonstrates how a high level of serotonin can favor the onset of colic in newborns.
Serotonin produced at the intestinal level has a direct relationship with mood and behavior.
Neurological development factors have also been proposed as one of the contributing causes of colic.
According to a theory by Dr. Harvey Karp, a developmental specialist, babies are born “too early”—by about 3 months (or one trimester)—which manifests as episodes of inconsolable crying.
According to his theory, newborns miss the comforting sensations of the mother’s womb (which can be mimicked by keeping them warm and calm, swaddling them snugly, placing them on their stomachs, and rocking them with a gentle motion).
In his book, he compares the human newborn to that of horses, highlighting how humans are born defenseless and unable to care for themselves, whereas a newborn horse begins to run on the very day it is born.
Episodes of inconsolable crying resolve in most children around 3 months of age, the point at which babies begin to “wake up,” accepting their environment, smiling, rolling over, and making vocal sounds.
Emotional factors experienced by the newborn can contribute to the manifestation of colic.
Parental anxiety, maternal smoking, the age of the mother, and maternal or paternal depression are factors associated with colic.
How can you tell if a newborn has colic?
In addition to the “rule of three” mentioned earlier (more than three hours a day, at least three days a week, for more than three weeks), there are symptoms and signs that help identify it:
There is no clear definition of exactly what colic is or how (and if) it differs from other types of crying.
However, doctors generally agree that a colic cry is louder, more intense, and higher-pitched than normal crying, sometimes sounding almost as if the baby is screaming.
Babies with colic seem inconsolable and tend to cry for a total of at least three hours a day. (Although it can certainly feel like the entire day, much to the despair of tired and tense parents).
Very often, colic episodes repeat daily, even though some babies may have an occasional night of truce.
Infant colic is often managed at home through behavioral adjustments and relaxation techniques.
One of the most effective remedies for newborn colic is Osteopathic Treatment.
Through gentle manipulations, the Osteopath can improve the baby’s gastrointestinal functionality and release areas of tension that may be causing pain or movement difficulties.
Most of the time, inconsolable crying is due to colic. However, if you feel the crying is excessive, do not hesitate to contact your pediatrician.
The pediatrician will ask about the frequency, duration, and type of crying.
Describing it, as well as the presence of other symptoms, will help the doctor rule out any underlying medical condition (such as reflux, an infection, or a milk allergy) that could be triggering the crying.
One of the remedies for newborn colic is Osteopathy, which generally assesses and treats:
We have seen the importance of having a functional intestine; in this case, Visceral Osteopathy helps reduce air production in the belly and improve emptying capacity.
There are techniques that can be easily repeated by parents, even daily, to prevent the accumulation of air.
Trauma during childbirth can cause tension and twisting in the spine and sternum.
This can result in gastric dysfunction, specifically in the cardia valve, and cause incontinence that may lead to malocclusion and allow acid to rise up the esophagus.
Osteopathic techniques can balance the rib cage and release twists through the diaphragm.
The vagus nerve is the most important nerve of the parasympathetic system, also known as the pneumogastric nerve.
It is the tenth cranial nerve, originating in the medulla oblongata, exiting the skull through the jugular foramen, and traveling toward the thorax and abdomen.
Compression along its path can create an alteration in the nerve signal and generate problems in the neck and around the tongue, preventing optimal suction.
Pediatric Osteopathy helps to gently release restrictions in the neck and around the tongue, allowing the baby to suck more easily and ingest less air.
Sometimes, after a stressful pregnancy or a complicated birth, problems of various kinds can arise, ranging from plagiocephaly (flat head) to digestive difficulties or sleep issues.
In all cases, a Pediatric Osteopathy consultation is recommended to release specific zones or areas that may be at the root of these dysfunctions.
Osteopathic Treatment is gentle and painless; newborns are often relaxed after the treatment and show improved sleep quality.
From a dietary standpoint, breastfeeding “latch” problems can be resolved.
Most newborns can be treated even in synergy with pharmacological therapies. In these cases, medical and pediatric consent is always necessary.
Ideally, babies should be seen as early as possible after birth, with it generally being recommended to do so during the first month.
Even in the absence of problems, a consultation with a Pediatric Osteopath allows for the early assessment of any tension or blockage that could lead to future complications.
If the newborn had a difficult birth, a delivery involving a vacuum extractor, or an emergency C-section after an attempted vaginal birth, it is advisable for the baby to be examined as soon as possible.
Remember that Osteopathy proves to be one of the most effective remedies for infant colic.
Osteopath and Pediatric Osteopath in Lisbon, with over 10 years of experience in Italy. Degree in Human Motricity with a specialization in Sports Science.
