What is the difference between gas and colic in infants, What are their symptoms and causes, How can a mother distinguish between them, What are their effective treatments.
In the first five months after birth, an infant may experience colic, causing them to cry continuously for up to three hours.
Gas results from the accumulation of air in the abdomen, causing bloating and gurgling, and sometimes causing the baby to cry.
What is gas in infants
Infant gas is a natural accumulation of air and gas in an infant's digestive system. It occurs as a result of swallowing air during breastfeeding or crying.
It also results from the incomplete development of the digestive system, and this gas leads to a feeling of bloating and discomfort.
What is colic in infants
Colic in infants is a common condition characterized by intense, unexplained crying spells that can last for more than three hours a day.
It usually begins in the first weeks after birth, increases in severity by the sixth week, and gradually subsides by the time the baby reaches 3-4 months.
Symptoms of Gas and Abdominal Cramps in Infants
Common symptoms of gas in infants include:
- Abdominal bloating, with a taut appearance.
- Crying and fussiness, especially after breastfeeding.
- Knees drawn to the abdomen during crying.
- Difficulty falling asleep.
- Intense crying that may last for hours.
- Gurgling or gurgling sounds from the abdomen.
Common symptoms of colic in infants include:
- Intense crying in the infant that is difficult to soothe.
- Colic often occurs in the evening and lasts for hours.
- Movements such as pulling the legs toward the abdomen and clenching the fists.
- Blushed face in the infant.
Causes of Gas in Infants
Gas in infants is primarily caused by swallowing air during breastfeeding or crying. It can also be a result of an underdeveloped digestive system, which affects the infant's ability to digest food efficiently.
Bottle feeding can cause gas because the baby swallows a large amount of air when bottle-feeding, and not burping the baby after feeding prevents the air from escaping.
Causes of Infant Colic
Common causes of infant colic include:
- The infant's digestive system may be underdeveloped and unable to adequately process milk.
- An allergy to certain ingredients in breast milk or formula.
- Gas buildup in the abdomen may result in colic and cramps.
- Excessive feeding leads to increased air swallowed, causing discomfort.
What is the difference between gas and colic in infants
Gas is the accumulation of air in the abdomen, causing gurgling, bloating, and sometimes crying. Colic is intense, persistent crying lasting more than three hours a day. Crying during colic can cause increased gas.
Treating Infant Gas
The treating physician may prescribe supplements such as probiotics or simethicone drops, or change the type of formula if the infant has an allergy.
Infant gas can be treated by gently massaging the abdomen in circular motions and exercising the legs with a bicycle motion.
It is important to ensure the baby burps after feeding and to place the baby on the mother's tummy while gently patting the back.
How can infant colic be relieved
To relieve infant colic, it is important to avoid foods that cause gas while breastfeeding. The physician may:
- Change the formula if it is unsuitable for the infant.
- Ensure the baby burps well after each feeding to expel gas.
- Prescribe drops for infant colic, such as simethicone.
- Hold the baby upright and walk with him.
- Massage the baby's abdomen in gentle circular motions.
- A warm bath can help calm the baby.
Natural Herbs to Expel Gas in Infants
Here are some natural herbs that help expel gas in infants. Consult your doctor before giving them to your infant. These include:
- Anise is effective in calming the digestive system and expelling gas.
- Boiled cumin water for infants helps relieve gas.
- Fennel helps relieve gas and soothe colic.
- Peppermint has properties that help relieve cramps.
- Chamomile helps soothe the digestive system.
How long does a colic attack last in infants
Infant colic typically lasts between 3 and 6 months, beginning in the second week and peaking at 6 weeks of age. By the third or fourth month, it begins to improve and gradually disappear.
What are the best colic drops for infants
There is no single best treatment for infant colic, but there are many drops prescribed by doctors and available in pharmacies that you can use to relieve your baby's pain:
- Simethicone drops, which help expel excess gas in your baby, reducing colic and crying.
- Probiotic drops containing the Lactobacillus reuteri strain are effective in reducing crying in some breastfed infants.
Summary of the difference between gas and colic in infants.
The main difference is that gas is a potential cause of discomfort in infants and may cause less crying and be accompanied by abdominal bloating.
Colic, on the other hand, is a medical condition characterized by intense crying spells that may last for three hours or more a day for no apparent reason, Colic may be exacerbated if the baby swallows air while crying.