Can changing baby formula help cure colic?

Not always, and it usually depends on the situation. If your baby is sensitive or allergic, the doctor might suggest changing his/her formula.

For how long do babies have colic?

Normally, colic occurs until the baby turns 3-4 months old due to the development of his digestive tract.

Do only formula-fed babies get colic?

No, even breastfeeding babies can be diagnosed with colic; nevertheless, feeding practices are important.

Bottle-Feeding Mistakes That Could Cause Colic in Babies

Raising a newborn is an exciting but difficult task. If your baby cries often and seems distressed, it can leave you feeling very frustrated. Colic can be one of the reasons why your baby feels like this. Even though colic can happen for several reasons, problems with bottle feeding are the most typical ones. No matter how hard parents try to feed their babies properly, there is always a chance they will make a few small mistakes.

What is Colic?

Crying in a healthy baby frequently and for long durations is termed colic. Colic usually develops during the first few weeks after birth and may last for up to three or four months. Babies affected by colic usually exhibit vigorous crying and leg pulling.

Although the exact cause is not known, feeding issues such as sucking air may increase the intensity of colic.

Common Bottle-Feeding Mistakes That Cause Colic

Here is a comprehensive list of some bottle-feeding mistakes that may cause colic:

Wrong Positioning for Bottle-Feeding

Babies who drink milk when lying down may end up taking in air along with the milk.

Here are some steps you can take:

Hold the baby in a slightly upright position
The head should be a bit higher than the stomach
Provide gentle support for the neck of the baby

Choosing the Wrong Flow Rate Nipples

Nipples are available in varied flow rate options. If the flow rate is high, the baby might consume milk very fast and thus ingest air. On the other hand, if the flow rate is too low, your baby may continue sucking hard and end up taking air in the process.

Indicators of wrong nipple flow rate include:

Choking or coughing while feeding
Milk leaking from the mouth
Being fussy when feeding

Advice: Select an appropriate nipple for your child’s feeding stage.

Incorrectly Burping the Baby

Burping is a technique that helps release air from the baby's tummy. This is an important aspect, as a lack of burping may lead to the accumulation of gas in your baby's tummy.

Tips:

Burp the baby halfway through the feeding process
Burp the baby at the end of the feeding process
Let them be in an upright position and pay on their backs

This can even be done regardless of whether the baby burps or not.

Fast Feedings

Fast feedings are too much for your baby’s digestion to handle and result in excessive intake of air.

What you can do:

Stop at intervals when feeding
Watch how your baby acts
Allow time for your baby to swallow

Slow and relaxed feedings are good for digestion.

Overfeeding

Obviously, you want to see that your baby is full; however, overfeeding can be hard for your baby's small stomach to handle, resulting in discomfort.

Symptoms of overfeeding include:

Spit-ups often
Crying or fussiness after feeding
Swollen or tight belly

Hint: Feed according to your baby's hunger cues, not until the bottle is finished.

Failing to Inspect for Air Bubbles in the Bottle

Agitating the bottle while preparing the mixture may lead to bubble formation, which might ultimately be transferred into your baby's stomach during feeding.

Alternative way:

Swirl the bottle gently
Wait for a minute before feeding

It ensures your baby will not ingest too much air.

Using the Wrong Kind of Bottle

Some bottles have been specially created to minimise the amount of air being ingested by having special venting mechanisms. A regular bottle may cause more gas problems for gassy babies.

Things to consider include:

Testing out anti-colic babies
Checking if there is any improvement in symptoms

Feeding if the Baby Cries Loudly

If the baby is screaming, then feeding them will cause them to take in more air along with the milk.

Steps to be followed next:

In the first place, one needs to ensure that the baby is not crying
One can do this by soothing the baby
Then one can move ahead and feed the baby

When Should You Visit a Paediatrician?

The colic problem is not a serious one; nevertheless, you have to be sure that there are no other health problems involved. You should visit a paediatrician if your child:

Cries non-stop for many hours each day
Is not gaining weight
Has problems such as vomiting, fever, or diarrhoea
Has difficulty feeding

Feeding is not only about the nutrition your baby needs but also about bonding with your baby and comforting him as well. Being a mom, you may face colic once in your baby's lifetime. There can be a variety of reasons behind colic; incorrect bottle-feeding can be one among them.

Changing the baby’s posture while feeding, his pace, and ways of feeding will surely improve the feeding experience. Listen to your baby and trust your maternal intuition. If you feel anything is off, consult a doctor.

Whether you’re pregnant, a new mom, or navigating postpartum, you don’t have to do it alone. Join our support group to connect, share, and support one another.

FAQs on Bottle-Feeding Mistakes That Cause Colic in Babies

Can changing baby formula help cure colic?
Not always, and it usually depends on the situation. If your baby is sensitive or allergic, the doctor might suggest changing his/her formula.
For how long do babies have colic?
Normally, colic occurs until the baby turns 3-4 months old due to the development of his digestive tract.
Do only formula-fed babies get colic?
No, even breastfeeding babies can be diagnosed with colic; nevertheless, feeding practices are important.