While some babies appear more irritable than others, all babies cry. However, some babies will cry continuously for hours on end. The intense crying in an otherwise healthy newborn is known as colic. Colic is when a baby cries for more than three hours at least three days per week for three weeks consecutively. The crying may come in bouts or it may be consistent. Colicky babies will curl up their legs, clutch their fists and turn bright red from consistent crying. Colic can be troubling and difficult for parents, yet colic is very common and is natural for some babies. Despite the fact that treatment for infantile colic varies, a large proportion of parents are choosing complementary and alternative options to ease their infant's colic.
Herbal Remedies
As there is no medical treatment for colic to date, parents often rely on complementary and alternative therapies. A study reported by Dr. Lawrence Rosen and a team of researchers in 2007 in the "Pediatrics in Review" concluded that there is evidence that nutritional and herbal blends are relatively safe and effective in the treatment of colic. Soy, whey and casein hydrolysate formulas have been linked to a decline in the duration of crying. As reported by Rosen, an herbal tea blend made with chamomile, vervain, licorice and lemon has been shown effective and safe in the treatment of colic. Crying was reduced to less than three hours daily in over half the infants as a result of tea consumption.
Chamomile
Chamomile has been used traditionally to treat colic, gastritis and painful digestion. Chamomile is a recognized anti-spasmodic known to reduce cramping and inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Chamomile's mechanism of action includes anti-microbial effects, the reduction of intestinal irritation and stimulation of peristalsis; the process of muscle contractions to move food through the digestive tract. Chamomile is an inexpensive and effective treatment for colic which can simply be added to tea.
Fennel Seed Oil
In a 2003 article in "Alternative Therapies," Irena Alexandrovich and her fellow researchers reported that fennel is considered effective and non-toxic for the treatment of infantile colic. While fennel seed oil is considered an anti-spasmodic agent, it is also known to have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. As a result, fennel has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anticarcinogenic advantages. For this reason, fennel seed oil has been shown to significantly improve not only colic symptoms, but also the crying which is associated with it.
Ginger
.According to the University of Maine Medical Center, ginger is used as to relieve flatulence, stomach ache and is an aromatic stimulant. Ginger is also known to promote gastric secretions, digestion and appetite and relieve dyspepsia or painful digestion when consumed. Therefore, ginger is beneficial in relieving what is thought to cause colic; stomach upset, painful digestion, cramping and gas.
Anise Seed
Another herbal remedy used for generations in the natural treatment of colic is anise seed. Anise seed tastes like licorice and has an anti-flatulent property. Therefore, it is useful in relieving pains caused by gas and cramping. Anise seed is gentle on the baby's stomach, with no adverse effects noted. Anise is typically boiled in hot water, creating a sweet-tasting, natural supplement which has a warming and calming effect on the baby.
Probiotics
Recently, probiotics have been reviewed for their ability to decrease symptoms and crying associated with infantile colic. Probiotics are non-pathogenic bacteria which maintain intestinal microflora and their metabolic activates, thereby promoting health and fighting disease. In a 2007 report in "Pediatrics," Emanuela Pelle and fellow researchers suggest that there is an imbalance of intestinal lactobacilli in infants with colic. In addition, probiotics such as L. reuteri are beneficial in altering the intestinal bacterial balance harmful flora, changing it to a flora that reduces gastrointestinal infections and allergic diseases in infants; ultimately soothing infants with colic.
Considerations
.
References
- "Pediatrics in Review"; Complementary, Holistic, and Integrative Medicine: Colic. Dr. Lawrence Rosen, et al.; December 2009.
- "Alternative Therapies"; The Effect of Fennel Seed Oil Emulsion in Infantile Colic; Irena Alexandrovich et al.; July/August 2003.
- University of Maine Medical Center: Colic
- "Pediatrics"; Lactobacillus reuteri Versus Simethicone in the Treatment of Infantile Colic; Emanuela Pelle et al.; December 2007.
Member Comments