Infantile Colic: Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis

• A detailed history and physical examination are important, along with questions to determine how the parents respond to their crying baby.
• Routine laboratory tests, stool samples, and X–rays may help rule out more serious disorders.  

Treatment

• Colic is self–limiting and will resolve with time.
• Parental counseling and support may be an effective strategy for reducing parental anxiety and infant crying.
• Feeding techniques that may reduce air–swallowing include breast–feeding at one breast (as opposed to equal feeding time at each breast), using a curved bottle with a plastic bag (to hold the formula or pumped breast milk), and keeping the infant in an upright position.
• Two studies have suggested a possible benefit of herbs. Fennel seed oil and a tea containing chamomile, fennel, licorice, vervain, and balm–milk both significantly improved colic. However, prolonged tea consumption could decrease infants’ nutrient intake.
• Reduction of stimulation (e.g., reducing noise and light) may be helpful to calm the baby.
• Lactase and simethicone have not generally been shown to be helpful. Further, dicyclomine should not be used to treat infantile colic due to risk of serious adverse effects, including seizures and death.