WHAT ARE THE MAIN CAUSES OF COLIC?

Immature Digestive Tract

The most common cause of colic is a baby’s immature digestive tract, which cramps up and becomes painful when there is a build up of wind in the intestine. This may be due to a baby’s inability to digest some of their food. Some air may have also been swallowed during a feed or while crying. The most recognised definition of colic is the discomfort caused by a baby’s digestive system not working to its full potential. This causes sections of the intestine to cramp resulting in crying, screaming and restlessness.

Under-developed central nervous systems

It is also believed that some babies have immature and underdeveloped central nervous systems. Most newborns have a built in mechanism to block out unwanted stimuli e.g. noise and light, so they can eat and sleep undisturbed by their surroundings. However, by the time they reach one month, this ability wears off and babies become more aware and alert to their surroundings

Incorrect feeding

Feeding a baby too little or too much food and starting them on solids too early, before the gastrointestinal tract is sufficiently developed, has also been labeled as a cause of colic.

Diet of breastfeeding mothers

Certain foods that breastfeeding mothers eat could reach their babies via their breast milk and have an adverse effect of their baby causing colic. These foods include dairy products, nuts and products containing caffeine.

Baby’s physical position in womb during pregnancy

The baby may have suffered spinal pain due to the position they were in when they were in their mother’s womb causing them to have colic.