Top tips for you and your baby

When your little one is crying, fussing, or just won’t settle, figuring out how to help them can feel overwhelming and exhausting. 

If your baby is crying intensely without a clear reason, they may be one of the 25% of babies who struggle with colic[sup]1[/sup]. Rest assured, you’re not alone—colic is a common challenge faced by many parents and in most cases, it resolves naturally by 4 months of age.

But if you want to take steps to support your little one, once your GP has ruled out other causes, there are several ways you can help manage their symptoms. This includes targeting their gut microbiome, the trillions of bacteria that live in their digestive system.

Here we explore the connection between colic and gut health while sharing helpful tips to soothe your little one.

What is colic?

All babies cry; it’s a natural part of the developmental process and how babies communicate. But when your otherwise healthy baby’s crying is unexplained and inconsolable (and nothing you do seems to make it better), it may be because they have colic.

Colic is typically defined when an otherwise healthy baby under 5 months cries for 3 or more hours a day, at least 3 days a week (and it’s been happening for 3 weeks or more). You may also find your baby’s symptoms are worse in the evening and  can come on suddenly – they can be giggling one minute and screaming the next[sup]2[/sup].

Signs your baby may have colic include clenching their fists, bringing their knees up to their tummy, and arching their back as if trying to release gas[sup]2[/sup].

Colic is more common than you might think—about 1 in 4 newborns worldwide experience it.¹ Although it’s temporary, it can significantly impact parents and caregivers, often leading to frustration, lack of sleep, feelings of guilt, and reduced quality of life. It has even been linked to an increased risk of maternal postnatal depression.[sup]3[/sup] 

What causes colic? 

The exact cause of colic is still unknown despite extensive research. Different factors are thought to play a role, such as difficulty digesting milk, an underdeveloped or immature gastrointestinal tract, or even a disrupted gut microbiome[sup]4[/sup], which can happen for a number of reasons outside of your control, including birth circumstances, and certain medications.

How is colic linked to the gut microbiome? 

Although research is ongoing, it has become clear that there is a link between symptoms of colic and the gut microbiome. Research shows that babies with colic often have lower bacterial diversity in their gut, increased levels of gas-producing bacteria, and fewer anti-inflammatory bacteria like Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus.[sup]5[/sup] 

Several clinical trials have demonstrated that taking a live bacterial supplement containing Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12® - the world’s most published Bifidobacterium strain - can help reduce excessive crying in babies with colic.[sup]6,7[/sup] Daily supplementation significantly reduced the duration and number of crying episodes in infants with colic vs. a placebo. It also improved babies’ sleep duration by one hour vs. baseline, while parents had significantly improved physical, emotional and social functioning scores.^6-7

That’s why the World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO) global guidelines on probiotics and leading Paediatric guidelines both recommend Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12® for babies with colic. These international guidelines specify a daily dose of 1 billion bacteria per day.[sup]8[/sup] It’s worth being aware that not all live bacterial supplements are created equal, and it’s important to take the right strain, at the right time, in the right way.

Our top tips for managing colic 

Dealing with colic can be very distressing for you and your baby, but remember that it usually resolves naturally by 4 months of age. In the meantime you can try these soothing techniques to help your baby:

·       Hold your baby close to your chest during bouts of crying so they can feel and hear your heartbeat.

·       Give them a warm bath followed by a tummy massage with gentle, circular strokes on the tummy.

·       Sit your baby up as straight as possible while feeding. This will help minimise the amount of air they swallow:

*If breastfeeding, check that your baby is properly attached (latching on).

*If they are bottle-fed, some parents find a fast-flow teat helpful, again to minimise the amount of air they swallow.

·       Provide some gentle movement. Try rocking your baby in your arms, in their crib, in their pram or even by taking them for a drive in the car.

·       Create a calming atmosphere – babies can become overstimulated with lots of noise and activity around them. Try to quieten your surroundings – switch the TV off, dim the lights and try to take some deep breaths yourself to help relax your own gut:brain connection.

·       Feed your baby as usual – if you are breastfeeding, there is limited evidence that changing your diet will help – however, some breastfeeding mothers say that reducing spicy food, caffeine, and alcohol has made a difference for them.

·       You could also try a supplement containing 1 billion Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12® as recommended by The World Gastroenterology Organisation global guidelines on probiotics and leading Paediatric guidelines⁸.

When to seek medical help

It is a good idea to reach back out to your healthcare professional if your baby is still unsettled after you’ve tried different ways to soothe them or if you are finding it hard to cope. Most babies’ colic will resolve naturally after 4 months of age, but if it continues, it is worth seeking support from your GP or health visitor.

Call NHS 111 or see a GP if[sup]9[/sup]:

●        you're worried about your baby's crying

●        your baby has colic, and nothing seems to be working

●        you're finding it hard to cope

●        your baby is not growing or putting on weight as expected

●        your baby still has symptoms of colic after 4 months of age

Go to A&E or call 999 if⁹:

●        your baby has a weak or high-pitched cry

●        your baby's cry does not sound like their normal cry

●        You know your child better than anyone else. Trust your instincts if you think something is seriously wrong, particularly if they have other worrying symptoms.

Hang in there; colic is a challenging phase but remember that it won’t last forever, and you’re not alone. Be kind to yourself and do not hesitate to seek support when needed.