Colic Prevention and Intervention

In some instances, when the baby’s colic is related to gas pains caused by the nursing mother’s diet or the formula, colic may be prevented.

Try the following preventive measures:

• If you are nursing, make note of whether your baby is colicky after you eat certain foods, so that you can avoid them.
• Foods that frequently cause the problem include cabbage, onions, garlic, broccoli and turnips, and the caffeine in coffee, tea, chocolate and cocoa.
• For a colicky bottle-fed baby, switch to a formula without cow’s milk.
• Try feeding your infant smaller amounts more often.
• Always burp your baby after a feeding.

When the Doctor Should Intervene

• If your baby has not had colic before and begins to act colicky. Your doctor will want to rule out any illness.
• If the colic gets worse.
• If your baby is older than 3 months and is still colicky.
• If your colicky baby is not hungry and is not gaining weight.