Are you dealing with colic in your newborn? Share your questions with midwife Angie

[LibbyMumsnet]

THIS Q&A IS NOW CLOSED. YOU CAN VIEW MIDWIFE ANGIE'S ANSWERS HERE

Colic is never a fun part of the newborn stage and it can be really distressing for you and baby. We’ve invited MAM midwife Angie to answer any questions you may have about preventing colic, how to recognise it, and soothing your colicky baby.

• Share your questions about dealing with colic below
  
• Everyone who shares a question on this thread by 10th April 24 will be entered into a prize draw to win a £200 voucher
  
• Angie will be back online in a few weeks to answer some of your questions
  

About the expert:
Angie is a mum and midwife who has stepped outside her clinical role as a foetal surveillance specialist to undertake a year-long secondment as a Chief Sustainability Officer’s clinical fellowship, delivering sustainability healthcare projects for the NHS. Through this transition, Angie has attracted a large and well-engaged following of parents and clinical professionals, providing authentic and honest advice. Angie now works in partnership with MAM baby UK as their consultant midwife.

Here’s what MAM has to say:
We’re MAM, and we love babies! We’re the world’s leading manufacturer of premium baby products because we believe they deserve only the best quality. That’s why we’ve been developing extra-safe baby products for over 45 years. We’re a family company that combines an appealing, innovative and medically approved design with sustainable resourcing and affordable prices. For peace of mind and a happy baby, MAM is a business you can trust.

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!

MNHQ

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Disclaimer: Please do not rely on this Q&A as an alternative to medical advice from your midwife, GP or other professional healthcare provider. If you have any specific questions about any medical matter you should consult your doctor or other professional healthcare provider.

[HobNobAddict]

What foods should you avoid when breast feeding which are known to give or exacerbate colic in a newborn ?

[Lighter22]

What is the best technique for burping a newborn?

[OlivePlayer]

Can anyone guess the gender??

[LittleDeeAndME]

My mum swore by 'gripe water' - is this still safe to use - or is there a recommended alternative ?

[SmartiesParty]

There seem to be lots of remedies for colic eg infacol, gripe water etc but also lots of info saying they don't work so what should one actually do/use to help colic

[jellybeanpopper]

Is there any evidence behind exclusion diets in mums of breastfeeding babies or is it all anecdotal?

[JacCharlton]

Over head above your shoulder or laying on your lap to help with colic - which is the best position to relieve colic

[DanBenandBud]

I have been recommended anti-coilic bottles - what are your thoughts on these - is it just a gimic ?

[DenDenDenise]

I want to wind DS a couple of times during a feed to help with the colic, but he just gets too upset - how would you feed baby before winding ? the longer you feed does this help or hinder a colic build up.

[itsywitsy]

Is there any links to babies with severe colic and those who go on to develop IBS and IBD ? If so how would you lessen the risks if you have a colicy baby

[Waitingfordoggo]

I’m curious about the definition of Colic.

The NHS says that colic is when a baby cries a lot for no obvious reason. It’s quite a vague definition. I’ve noticed though that when most people talk about colic, they are talking about digestive issues/pain.

Is it possible that the incessant crying has no real cause in the first instance (perhaps just an over sensitive/over stimulated baby) but then the baby gets themselves into such a state with the hysterical crying that they end up with digestive pain or wind.

I’d also be curious to know if there is any research into colic and neurodivergence.

[muddlingthrou]

If you had one colicky baby, are you likely to have another? Currently pregnant with my second, and hoping there's a chance of ducking colic this time!

[Waitingfordoggo]

Purely anecdotal @muddlingthrou, but my DC1 was colicky. She was attached to me for the first three months as every time I tried to put her down, she screamed blue murder, red in the face, clenched little fists etc…
My second DC was a completely different kettle of fish. He slept a lot, fed well, chilled out in a bouncy chair just grinning at people all day 😂

Hope you have an easier time of it this time round. 💐

[muddlingthrou]

Thank you @Waitingfordoggo - even anecdotal evidence is v.comforting. I just want to know there's a chance I might have a different experience this time. I ended up with PND and PNA after the birth of my DD and I think the colic was a contributing factor. Congratulations on your DC!

[Waitingfordoggo]

I hear you @muddlingthrou- I had PND too - there were sadly some dark days for me in my DD’s early weeks. She’s 18 now and an absolute delight albeit not working very hard for her forthcoming A-levels. My smiley, easy boy is just about to turn 16 and is still smiley and easy!

Congratulations on your pregnancy and on your DD! I hope you get a low maintenance baby this time, but if not, that you have some really good support. Although going from 1 to 2 children is hectic, I found it easier in many ways- probably because DC2 was an easier baby. And DD absolutely loved being a big sister so was quite happy to help entertain him and bring him toys etc.

[ButterOllocks]

Is there any indication that there would be an intolerance to dairy / breast milk which can cause colic like symptoms and how could I get a test for this ? (to rule it out/in)

[Ilostmyhalo]

My DH has a dairy intolerance - could this be a factor of DS having colic - what would a nappy look like if my DS had an intolerance to dairy - or any other foodgroup

[jellycount]

I am combination/top up feeding my daughter who is nearly two weeks as I was not (and am still not) producing enough milk. When breastfeeding she doesn't get colicky or windy, but she snaffles down 60ml in one go when bottle feeding (formula) and then sometimes possets back up and is quite burpy. I'm keen to ensure a) she's not in too much discomfort and b) she is gaining weight steadily (day 10 still about 8% below birth weight). Any advice is very welcome, thank you!

[youareonlyhereonce]

I can feel the wind build up when I am patting his back and how he curls up to try to relieve this, is there any medication that would help - my MIL says gripe water but it smells really sweet ?

[prawncocktailcrispss]

What's the recommended way to wind a newborn, and for how long after feeding ?

[Beabeautiful]

Anti colic bottles - do they really have an effect to reduce colic ?

[DinkyDaffodil]

Colic was not covered or mentioned when I was in hospital, and my HV did not give me any tips for alleviating the symptoms - this this just my experience or do healthcare professionals give new mums the expertise in this issue ?

[Raveceleste]

Hi all,
New to MN so please be gentle.
My little girl is 6 months and still to this day she hasn’t slept through the night once. I’ve got her bed time routine down to a T. It’s probably not
perfect or how it “should be” but it works for us. The problem is how she wakes up in the night. I honestly think she’s in some form of discomfort, almost like trapped wind I think. I’ve tried the typical, gripe water, infacol and even tried her with comfort milk but found that just made her sick. I’ve had her next to me crib inclined slightly. Nothing helps her sleep through - it’s getting to the point where I’m beyond exhausted and I’m falling asleep with her in my arms and almost dropping her (I’m laid in bed still)
when she wakes it’s pretty much like clock
work as well as it’s roughly the same time every night.
I usually put her on my breast and she tends to go back to sleep - last night I tried to settle her without the breast and she got that worked up and started screaming I had to go downstairs with her. Dad does not deal well with being woken up and he suffers with SADs so he got snappy as well.

I’ve contacted my HV but can take up to 5 days for them to get back in touch with me so thought I’d come on here for some real life help.

Don’t know if it helps to know she also fights when I try to get her to nap in the day - I honestly have to seriously gig, cuddle her and even sing sometimes.

Does anyone have any suggestions, tips, questions? I’m honestly at my whits end!!! 😥

[AgathaMystery]

@Waitingfordoggo

I’m curious about the definition of Colic.

The NHS says that colic is when a baby cries a lot for no obvious reason. It’s quite a vague definition. I’ve noticed though that when most people talk about colic, they are talking about digestive issues/pain.

Is it possible that the incessant crying has no real cause in the first instance (perhaps just an over sensitive/over stimulated baby) but then the baby gets themselves into such a state with the hysterical crying that they end up with digestive pain or wind.

I’d also be curious to know if there is any research into colic and neurodivergence.

This.

I’m really sceptical that any midwife is engaging with a topic titled ‘colic’. I’ve been a midwife for about 20 yrs. Not that it matters.

Colic is a word used to describe an unsettled, crying baby with no clinical cause.

Colic is not a clinical condition - it’s simply how some babies behave. I know you can set your watch by some of them - but it’s not a clinical diagnosis. So there is no ‘cure’.

if your baby’s colic went away when you changed your diet/their formula - then it wasn’t colic.

@Waitingfordoggo i think you are absolutely correct in your assertion of ‘colic’.