DR. WALCOTT'S COLIC SUGGESTIONS

Before treating your child's colic, please ensure that your doctor confirms this diagnosis and that he/she knows what medications, herbs or any home remedies that you are using. 

Colic = intense crying for more than 3 hours a day for more than 3 days a week in babies 3 weeks to 3 months old 

Nutrition

• Feed every 2 hours
• Frequent burping
• If formula feeding, use iron fortified formula
• Occasionally breastfed babies will do better if mothers stop eating cow's milk, fruit, caffeine, soy, corn, wheat and eggs or cabbage, broccoli, onions, peppers and beans. If you consider eliminating milk, make sure you are getting enough calcium, vitamin D and protein.
• Occasionally changing formula to soy formula (Isomil, Alsoy, ProSobee) or Nutramigen

Environment

• Respond to babies cries quickly - you cannot spoil a child less than 4 months old
• Carry your baby at least 4-5 hours a day
• No smoking
• Warm pack on baby's tummy
• Bounce baby on knees in prone position
• Place baby in swing or rocker. Do not use walkers
• Play relaxing music when baby is calm and quiet, when baby cries stop the music and ignore for 1-2 minutes
• Relax, get enough sleep, join parent support group, use family and friends
• Make sure baby isn't hungry, bored, over-stimulated or has pain or a wet diaper

Mind - Body

• Slow, rhythmic rocking
• Walk in a stroller
• Swaddling and placing in dark, quiet room
• Letting her suck on fingers
• Going for a ride in the car
• Car seat on dryer - secure well!
• Cry to sleep
• Massage tummy in circular clockwise fashion > 30 minutes after eating
• Therapeutic touch

Medications/Herbs

• Herbal tea with Chamomile, Fennel, Dill, Vervain and Mint - less than 3 oz. per day.
• "Pediacalm" is a brand that contains Fennel and is available at the Medical Pharmacy in Stoughton Center. Ask your doctor for the dosing.
• Gripe Water is a European remedy that often contains excessive alcohol or sodium so please bring the bottle to your doctor before using.
• Simethicone (Mylicon) has limited effectiveness.
• Lactase, Benadryl, alcohol and Bentyl are not effective.

Sometimes your doctor may prescribe Atarax (hydroxyzine) or Donnatal/Levsin in severe, unrelenting cases.

Homeopathy

The most common homeopathic remedies for colic are Chamomilla, Colocynth, Dioscorea, Magnesia phosphorica, Nux vomica, and Pulsatilla. There are no scientific studies confirming their efficacy but they are safe to try if administered under the advice of a person knowledgeable in homeopathy. At our practice, our Nurse Practitioner, Debbie Summers is our local homeopathic expert and she can direct you to the correct brand and concentration of homeopathic colic tablets.  

REMEMBER COLIC ONLY LASTS A DEFINED AMOUNT OF TIME, SO HANG IN THERE.

Return to office or call your health care provider if condition worsens or does not improve in 48 hours or you have any questions or concerns.