Understanding Infantile Colic: A Natural Approach to Soothing Your Baby
Infantile colic can be a distressing experience for both parents and babies alike. If your little one frequently cries for long periods without an obvious reason, you may be dealing with colic. At our clinic, we understand how challenging this can be, and we are here to offer a conservative, supportive approach to easing your baby’s discomfort.
What Is Infantile Colic?
Infantile colic is defined as excessive crying in an otherwise healthy baby, typically lasting more than three hours a day, at least three days a week, for three weeks or longer. It commonly occurs within the first three months of life and can be a source of significant stress for parents. While colic is not harmful to a baby’s long-term health, finding relief is essential for both the infant and the family’s well-being.
What Causes Colic?
The exact cause of colic remains unclear, but several factors may contribute to it:
- Digestive Discomfort: Immature digestive systems may struggle to break down milk, leading to gas and bloating.
- Feeding Challenges: Swallowing air during feeding or difficulty digesting certain proteins can exacerbate symptoms.
- Nervous System Development: Some experts suggest colic may be linked to an immature or developing nervous system, causing heightened sensitivity to stimuli.
Parental Stress: Babies can pick up on parental anxiety, which may contribute to prolonged crying episodes.Comfort Feeding: Comfort feeding can lead to overfeeding and trapped gas, making colic worse by causing bloating, reflux, and digestive discomfort in babies.
Read Our Article: New Parent’s Guide to Breast Feeding.
How City Osteopathy Can Help
At City Osteopathy Integrated Health, we take a holistic approach to addressing colic, focusing on natural and gentle solutions that support your baby’s development and overall comfort. Our team of experienced osteopaths and health practitioners offers:
1. Gentle Osteopathic Treatment
Osteopathy is a safe and non-invasive therapy that can help alleviate tension in a baby’s body. Through gentle hands-on techniques, osteopathy aims to:
- Improve mobility and reduce tension in the diaphragm and abdomen.
- Enhance digestion and ease discomfort caused by trapped gas.
- Promote relaxation and reduce overall stress in the body.
2. Guidance on Feeding and Digestion
Our team can assess feeding techniques, whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, to minimise air intake and improve digestion. We also offer advice on maternal diet if breastfeeding, as certain foods may contribute to digestive distress in sensitive infants.
3. Parental Support and Education
Understanding colic and having the right support makes a significant difference. We provide education on:
- Techniques for soothing a colicky baby such as winding, swaddling, white noise, and gentle rocking.
- Recognising signs of digestive discomfort and when further assessment may be needed.
Strategies to manage parental stress and ensure caregivers receive adequate rest and support.
A Natural Path to Comfort
At City Osteopathy Integrated Health, our mission is to support the body’s natural ability to heal, whether it’s in newborns, children, or adults. By integrating osteopathy with complementary healthcare approaches, we help parents navigate colic with confidence, knowing their baby is receiving gentle and effective care.
If your baby is experiencing persistent crying and discomfort, we invite you to book a consultation with our team. Together, we can craft a personalised approach to help your baby (and your family) find relief and comfort, naturally.
