Natural Remedies for Colic: Studies on Probiotics Provide Relief for Crying Infants

Colic. It is a dreaded word in almost any family. The colicky baby cries for hours, despite any efforts to soothe him, and many parents are stretched to their limits. Doctors still are not sure what colic – a condition traditionally associated with gas pains – exists, but we know it happens. The little ones can’t tell us what is wrong with them, but we can help them by researching into the role of natural remedies for colics or probiotics in the body may help find a cure for this ailment.

Colic Defined

Infant colic is a common diagnosis given to otherwise healthy babies who cry or scream frequently and for extended periods of time without any discernible reason. Typically, colic appears within the first few weeks after birth and usually disappears suddenly by the time the baby is 3 to 4 months old.

Colic is different from the normal crying associated with a newborn infant. Babies are usually diagnosed with colic if they cry intensely for more than three days a week, for more than three hours in a day, and for more than three weeks in a month. A paediatrician should be consulted whenever a baby is suspected to have colic to rule out any other health issues that may be causing distress.

Traditional Treatments for Colic

Traditionally, many parents of colicky babies have used a variety of herbal remedies to cure colic. Any herbal supplement should be approved by a health care professional before being given to a baby, and there is no clinical evidence that these remedies actually work.

Other treatments for colic include changes in the mother’s diet for breastfed infants, feeding with special formulas, and special techniques for cuddling the baby. Pacifiers, white noise, and extended periods of rocking have also been recommended as potential treatments for infant colic. Simethicone has been a popular treatment for generations, but even these gas relief drops have mixed results.

Colic and Probiotics

Probiotics are supplements of the beneficial bacteria and other microorganisms that live naturally in the human digestive tract. Doctors and scientists have been studying different strains of probiotics since the early 20th century. Scientists are currently researching the role of probiotics in treating or preventing a variety of ailments, including lowering cholesterol, reducing inflammation, and possibly even preventing colon cancer.

In 2015, The American Academy of Pediatrics released a study which looked at the effectiveness of probiotics vs. simethicone in treating colic. Half of the colicky babies in the study were given simethicone daily, and the other half were given a daily supplement of the probiotic L ruteri. The researchers found that L ruteri improved colic symptoms within one week on average, and by day 28 of the study 95% of the babies receiving the probiotic had improved, compared with only 7% of the babies receiving the gas drops.

L ruteri can be found in certain types of yoghurt and probiotic supplements. Although the exact mechanism for its treatment of colic is not yet understood, these studies are promising. Parents are advised to discuss any treatment options, including the use of probiotic supplements, with their child’s paediatrician before use.