Colic
Colic
- Symptoms & causes
- Advice
- Products
- Estimated to affect around 1 in 5 babies (both breast and formula-fed)2
- Recurrent and prolonged periods of crying and fussing (with no obvious cause, associated illness, fever or faltering growth)3
- Babies may clench their fists, bring their knees up or arch their back, have a red face or be very flatulent4
The causes of colic are not fully understood but proposed theories include an immature digestive system, intestinal microflora imbalance and over/under stimulation.
Colic can have a considerable impact on parents and carers, and they should be encouraged to ask for support.4 If symptoms persist despite trying to ease them, if a baby still has symptoms of colic after 4 months of age, or if parents or carers are finding it hard to cope they should call NHS 111 or their GP.4
Mothers who are breastfeeding should be encouraged to continue. There is insufficient evidence that dietary changes help.2
Parents of babies with colic should not necessarily be advised to change their formula if they are already using one.2
Using extensively/partially hydrolysed formula may bring some relief.5
Management of colic should focus on supporting parents and caregivers through this challenging period in their baby's development.3
Parents may be advised to try:4
- Holding, cuddling or gently rocking the baby
- Winding the baby well after feeding
- Using white noise or a warm bath to soothe the baby
- Holding the baby more upright during feeds to help prevent them from swallowing air.
SMA® Comfort
SMA® Comfort is a Food for Special Medical Purposes and should be used under medical supervision. It is a nutritionally complete formula with a unique combination of ingredients specifically designed for the dietary management of colic and constipation.
- Must be used under medical supervision
- From birth to 12 months
- Reduced lactose to help with colic7
- Contains increased magnesium to help with constipation8-10*
- Easy to digest; contains 100% whey partially hydrolysed protein11
- Contains a thickener; may require a fast flow teat. Must not be used with other food thickeners or antacids.
*Magnesium content of SMA Comfort is 8.1mg/100ml, compared to SMA PRO First Infant Milk which contains a magnesium level of 5.7mg/100ml
SMA® Xpert ProCol
SMA® Xpert ProCol is a food supplement suitable from birth, that contains clinically proven L. reuteri† cultures.12-15
L. reuteri DSM 17938 is clinically proven to improve symptoms of infantile colic:6,12-14¶
- L. reuteri† significantly reduces daily crying time in colicky infants by up to 78%12
- L. reuteri† supplementation has been shown to significantly reduce daily fussing times in infants with colic14
- When infants with colic are supplemented with L. reuteri†, parents indicate improved family quality of life¶†#
Each sachet of SMA® Xpert ProCol contains a minimum of 100 million units of the L. reuteri culture
L. reuteri - Limosilactobacillus reuteri (formerly Lactobacillus reuteri)
† L. reuteri DSM 17938, #Secondary outcome
¶ In exclusively or predominantly (>50%) breastfed infants
