Colic (Holistic)

About This Condition

Calm your fussy baby’s colic by getting to the root of the cause. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.

Give calming herbs a try
During colic episodes, give your infant 1/2 cup (118 ml) of a tea made from chamomile, vervain, licorice, fennel, and lemon balm
Find a new formula
Cow’s milk formula may cause colic in some infants; try switching to soy or a hypoallergenic product
Don’t let your infant “eat” air
To prevent babies from swallowing air, feed them in the sitting position and burp them frequently

About

About This Condition

Colic is a common problem in infants in which the baby is healthy but has periods of inconsolable crying, apparently caused by abdominal pain. Colic usually develops within a few weeks of birth and disappears by the baby’s fourth month.

Symptoms

Colic may cause infants, typically less than four months old, to cry inconsolably. The attacks usually occur in the late afternoon and evening, sometimes lasting for hours. During a colicky period, babies may bring their knees up, clench their fists, grimace, hold their breath, and generally be more active.

Healthy Lifestyle Tips

All infants, particularly those with colic, need to be fed on demand and not by a specific clock schedule. Often a baby’s cry is triggered by discomfort caused by low blood sugar. Unlike adults, infants do not have a carefully regulated ability to maintain healthy blood sugar levels in the absence of food. This physiological shortcoming of infants can be solved only by feeding on demand.

In one trial, parents were taught not to let babies cry unnecessarily but rather to attempt feeding right away in response to the infant’s cry.¹ If that failed, parents were taught to try to respond to the cry in other ways, such as holding the infant or providing the opportunity to sleep. These parents were also given the solid medical advice that overfeeding is never caused by feeding on demand nor will the baby be “spoiled” by such an approach. As a result of this intervention, colic was dramatically (and statistically significantly) reduced, compared with a group of mothers given different instructions.

Holistic Options

The symptoms of colic may be linked to mild biomechanical disturbances of the spinal joints and may respond to manipulation. A large, preliminary study of infants treated by chiropractic manipulation for colic reported marked improvement, often after one treatment.² This echoed an earlier study in which questionnaires sent to parents of 132 infants under chiropractic care revealed that 91% of the respondents observed improvement in their babies’ symptoms after two to three manipulations.³ In a controlled trial, infants were treated daily for two weeks either with a placebo medication or with a series of three to five treatments using gentle “fingertip” spinal manipulations.⁴ Those treated with manipulation experienced a 67% reduction in daily hours of colic, compared with only a 38% reduction in infants on medication.

Eating Right

The right diet is the key to managing many diseases and to improving general quality of life. For this condition, scientific research has found benefit in the following healthy eating tips.

Recommendation	Why
Find a new formula	Cow’s milk formula may cause colic in some infants, try switching to soy or a hypoallergenic product. Some infants also respond well to an amino acid-based formula. A true food protein intolerance in infants may result in persistent distress attributed to irritation of the esophagus caused by reflux (partial spitting up). These infants may respond to an amino acid-based formula. In a clinical trial, infants who were intolerant of soy and extensively hydrolyzed formula, and who had failed to respond to various formula changes, were switched to an amino-acid formula (Neocate). After two weeks, all the infants receiving the amino acid-based formula showed less distressed behavior and fewer symptoms of reflux.
Uncover your food allergies	If you breast-feed, work with a knowledgeable healthcare practitioner to see if certain foods you eat may be triggering symptoms of colic in your baby Allergies may be responsible for colic in some infants. If the child is fed with formula, the problem may be an intolerance to milk proteins from a cows’ milk-based formula. Switching to a soy formula may ease colic in such cases. Infants who are sensitive to both milk and soy may be given a hypoallergenic formula containing extensively hydrolyzed proteins. However, some children are sensitive even to these formulas. If a baby is breast-fed, certain foods in the mother’s diet may provoke an allergic reaction in the baby. Cows’ milk consumed by a breast-feeding mother has been shown in some, but not all, studies to trigger colic. Cows’ milk proteins, which may trigger allergic reactions, have been found at higher levels in milk from breast-feeding mothers with colicky infants than in milk from mothers with non-colicky infants. Changing to a low-allergenic formula or restricting the mother’s diet to exclude certain allergy-triggering foods significantly reduced colic symptoms in the infants in one double-blind trial. A healthcare provider can help determine which foods eaten by breast-feeding mothers may be contributing to colic.

Recommendation

Why

Find a new formula

Cow’s milk formula may cause colic in some infants, try switching to soy or a hypoallergenic product. Some infants also respond well to an amino acid-based formula.

A true food protein intolerance in infants may result in persistent distress attributed to irritation of the esophagus caused by reflux (partial spitting up). These infants may respond to an amino acid-based formula. In a clinical trial, infants who were intolerant of soy and extensively hydrolyzed formula, and who had failed to respond to various formula changes, were switched to an amino-acid formula (Neocate). After two weeks, all the infants receiving the amino acid-based formula showed less distressed behavior and fewer symptoms of reflux.

Uncover your food allergies

If you breast-feed, work with a knowledgeable healthcare practitioner to see if certain foods you eat may be triggering symptoms of colic in your baby

Allergies may be responsible for colic in some infants. If the child is fed with formula, the problem may be an intolerance to milk proteins from a cows’ milk-based formula. Switching to a soy formula may ease colic in such cases. Infants who are sensitive to both milk and soy may be given a hypoallergenic formula containing extensively hydrolyzed proteins. However, some children are sensitive even to these formulas.

If a baby is breast-fed, certain foods in the mother’s diet may provoke an allergic reaction in the baby. Cows’ milk consumed by a breast-feeding mother has been shown in some, but not all, studies to trigger colic. Cows’ milk proteins, which may trigger allergic reactions, have been found at higher levels in milk from breast-feeding mothers with colicky infants than in milk from mothers with non-colicky infants. Changing to a low-allergenic formula or restricting the mother’s diet to exclude certain allergy-triggering foods significantly reduced colic symptoms in the infants in one double-blind trial. A healthcare provider can help determine which foods eaten by breast-feeding mothers may be contributing to colic.

Supplements

What Are Star Ratings?

Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by some in the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.

For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.

3 Stars Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.

2 Stars Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.

1 Star For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.

Supplement	Why
3 Stars Probiotics Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner	Research suggests probiotics may benefit babies with colic who are breast-fed or fed milk-based formula. In a double-blind study of infants, supplementation of a standard milk-based formula with probiotic organisms (Bifidobacterium lactis and Streptococcus thermophilus) significantly reduced the frequency of colic, compared with the same formula without the probiotics. Another double-blind study found that the probiotic preparation, Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938, was an effective treatment for colic in exclusively breast-fed infants. In another study, L.reuteri DSM 17938 taken once a day was significantly more effective than simethicone, a drug frequently used to treat colic. Other double-blind research has confirmed the benefit of probiotics (particularly L.reuteri DSM 17938) in infants with colic.
2 Stars Chamomile 1/2 cup (118 ml) of tea three to four times daily	Chamomile is a carminative herb with long history of use as a calming herb and may be used to ease intestinal cramping in colicky infants. Carminatives are a class of herbs commonly used for infants with colic. These herbs tend to relax intestinal spasms. Chamomile is a carminative with long history of use as a calming herb and may be used to ease intestinal cramping in colicky infants. A soothing tea made from chamomile, vervain, licorice, fennel, and lemon balm has been shown to relieve colic more effectively than placebo. In this study, approximately 1/2 cup (150 ml) of tea was given during each colic episode up to a maximum of three times per day.
2 Stars Chamomile, Vervain, Licorice, Fennel, and Lemon Balm 1/2 cup (118 ml) of tea up to three times daily	A soothing tea made from chamomile, vervain, licorice, fennel, and lemon balm has been shown to relieve colic more effectively than placebo. Carminatives are a class of herbs commonly used for infants with colic. These herbs tend to relax intestinal spasms. Chamomile is a carminative with long history of use as a calming herb and may be used to ease intestinal cramping in colicky infants. A soothing tea made from chamomile, vervain, licorice, fennel, and lemon balm has been shown to relieve colic more effectively than placebo. In this study, approximately 1/2 cup (150 ml) of tea was given during each colic episode up to a maximum of three times per day.
2 Stars Fennel 1 to 4 teaspoons of a water emulsion of 0.1% fennel seed oil, up to four times per day	In one study, supplementing with fennel seed oil relieved colic in 65% of cases, compared with 24% of infants receiving a placebo. In a double-blind study of infants with colic, supplementation with an emulsion of fennel seed oil relieved colic in 65% of cases, compared with 24% of infants receiving a placebo, a statistically significant difference. The amount used was 1 to 4 teaspoons, up to four times per day, of a water emulsion of 0.1% fennel seed oil.
1 Star Caraway Refer to label instructions	Caraway relieves intestinal cramping and, in this way, may ease symptoms of colic. Caraway relieves intestinal cramping and, in this way, may ease symptoms of colic. One tablespoon (15 grams) of caraway seed is mixed with 8 oz (240 ml) of just-boiled water and steeped in a closed container for at least 10 minutes. Three ounces of vegetable glycerin is added, and the resulting mixture is stored in a bottle in the refrigerator. Up to 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) of the liquid may be given every 30 minutes to a colicky infant or given 15 minutes before feeding.
1 Star Cinnamon Refer to label instructions	Cinnamon is a gas-relieving herb used in traditional medicine to treat colic. It is generally given by healthcare professionals as teas or decoctions to the infant. Several gas-relieving herbs used in traditional medicine for colic are approved in Germany for intestinal spasms. These include yarrow, garden angelica (Angelica archangelica),peppermint, cinnamon, and fumitory (Fumaria officinalis). These herbs are generally given by healthcare professionals as teas or decoctions to the infant. Peppermint tea should be used with caution in infants and young children, as they may choke in reaction to the strong menthol.
1 Star Fumitory Refer to label instructions	Fumitory is a gas-relieving herb used in traditional medicine to treat colic. It is generally given by healthcare professionals as teas or decoctions to the infant. Several gas-relieving herbs used in traditional medicine for colic are approved in Germany for intestinal spasms. These include yarrow, garden angelica (Angelica archangelica),peppermint, cinnamon, and fumitory (Fumaria officinalis). These herbs are generally given by healthcare professionals as teas or decoctions to the infant. Peppermint tea should be used with caution in infants and young children, as they may choke in reaction to the strong menthol.
1 Star Garden Angelica Refer to label instructions	Garden angelica is a gas-relieving herb used in traditional medicine to treat colic. It is generally given by healthcare professionals as teas or decoctions to the infant. Several gas-relieving herbs used in traditional medicine for colic are approved in Germany for intestinal spasms. These include yarrow, garden angelica (Angelica archangelica),peppermint, cinnamon, and fumitory (Fumaria officinalis). These herbs are generally given by healthcare professionals as teas or decoctions to the infant. Peppermint tea should be used with caution in infants and young children, as they may choke in reaction to the strong menthol.
1 Star Hyssop Refer to label instructions	Hyssop has mild sedative properties and may also be helpful in relieving colic, but research is lacking. Hyssop has mild sedative properties and may also be helpful in relieving colic, but research is lacking. Though no definitive information on hyssop supplementation is available, 1 teaspoon of hyssop herb steeped in 1 cup of just-boiled water in a closed container for 15 to 20 minutes, then given in sips from a bottle over a period of 2 to 3 hours may help calm colic.
1 Star Peppermint Refer to label instructions	This gas-relieving herb is usually given to the infant as a tea. Peppermint tea should be used with caution in infants, as they may choke in reaction to the strong menthol. Several gas-relieving herbs used in traditional medicine for colic are approved in Germany for intestinal spasms. These include yarrow, garden angelica (Angelica archangelica),peppermint, cinnamon, and fumitory (Fumaria officinalis). These herbs are generally given by healthcare professionals as teas or decoctions to the infant. Peppermint tea should be used with caution in infants and young children, as they may choke in reaction to the strong menthol.
1 Star Yarrow Refer to label instructions	Yarrow is a gas-relieving herb used in traditional medicine to treat colic. It is generally given by healthcare professionals as teas or decoctions to the infant. Several gas-relieving herbs used in traditional medicine for colic are approved in Germany for intestinal spasms. These include yarrow, garden angelica (Angelica archangelica),peppermint, cinnamon, and fumitory (Fumaria officinalis). These herbs are generally given by healthcare professionals as teas or decoctions to the infant. Peppermint tea should be used with caution in infants and young children, as they may choke in reaction to the strong menthol.

References

1. Taubman B. Clinical trial of the treatment of colic by modification of parent-infant interaction. Pediatr 1984;74:998-1003.

2. Klugart N, Nilsson N, Jacobsen J. Infantile colic treated by chiropractors: a prospective study of 316 cases. J Manip Physiol Ther 1989;12:281-8.

3. Nilsson N. Infant colic and chiropractic. Eur J Chir 1985;33:264-5.

4. Wiberg JM, Nordsteen J, Nilsson N. The short term effect of spinal manipulation in the treatment of infantile colic: a randomized controlled clinical trial with a blinded observer. J Manip Physiol Ther 1999;22:517-22.

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Last Review: 05-28-2015

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The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2024.

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