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Colic in infants is common. It is a condition where the infant will experience abdominal pain caused by either intestinal gas or an obstruction in their intestine. This pain will cause the baby to cry continuously for three or more hours a day, more than three days a week for over three weeks.
Infants still don’t know how to express themselves or tell you what they feel, so as a parent, you must watch out closely and consider every possibility. You have to know that other medical conditions have similar symptoms to colic. As a result, they can be easily mistaken to be infantile colic, but can be something more serious. To be sure, let’s discuss what the symptoms of colic are before we go through other possible conditions.
Infantile Colic Symptoms
Knowing the symptoms of infantile colic will help you roll out any possibilities. Know these symptoms by heart, and if you notice something doesn’t add up, like seeing other symptoms, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
Here is the list of infantile colic symptoms:
- Intense crying like screaming and in pain.
- Continuously crying even if the baby is well-fed, diaper changed, and generally healthy.
- Excessive crying lasting for 3 hours or more that can last for several weeks
- Excessive fussiness even after the crying ends.
- They cry at the same time every day. More commonly, episodes happen in the evening.
- Noticeable skin flushing or blushing, especially on the face.
- They can’t be soothed no matter what you do.
- Clenched fists
- Stiffened arms
- Stiffened or pulled up legs
- Bloated and tightened stomach muscles
If you notice these symptoms in your baby, they most likely have infantile colic. However, these symptoms can also be present in other medical conditions.
Medical Conditions Similar to Infantile Colic Symptoms
Check out the conditions below to understand them and know why they are usually mistaken as colic.
GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
Like Infantile Colic, GERD is also a common condition that most newborns experience. GERD symptoms are slightly similar to the symptoms you will notice in infants with colic. However, some differences will tell you if what your baby is experiencing is colic or a GERD.
Here is the list of GERD symptoms and compare it side-by-side to the symptoms of colic that were listed above.
- Frequent forceful vomiting, especially during or after feeding.
- Wheezing or coughing, especially during a feed.
- Persistent hiccups
- Baby arches their back
- Turns down feeding
- Restlessness
- Irritability, especially during feeding sessions
- Gains weight slowly
- Abdominal pain
- Excessive crying
- Gassy
- Colicky behavior
GERD is when your baby’s stomach acid goes up to their esophagus, which causes pain. This pain is from the stomach acid that irritates the lining of the esophagus. The most common cause of GERD in infants is the poor coordination of their gastrointestinal tract. You can read GERD and other related conditions on BuzzRX App.
Milk Allergy
Milk allergy is one of the common allergies affecting children and infants. This condition occurs when the infant is allergic to the cow’s milk protein present in infant formula milk. The milk allergy symptoms are also similar to colic but with some differences.
Here is the list of milk allergy symptoms you should watch out for.
- Colic symptoms
- Wheezing
- Hives
- Itchiness around the mouth
- Swelling of the tongue and throat
- Blood and mucus on stools
- Projectile vomiting
- Foamy stool
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
If you suspect that your baby is suffering from milk allergy, it is best to talk to your paediatrician as soon as possible so that you will be given an alternative to cow’s milk if you are formula feeding. Allergies are never a simple matter. If you suspect that your baby is allergic to anything, observe them while calling your paediatrician on what to do next.
However, although very rare, breastfeeding babies also experience milk allergies from the dairy products the mother consumes. If this is the case, you can remove dairy from your diet, and you should notice a difference within a few days.
Lactose Intolerance
Although it is rare, some infants suffer lactose intolerance. First, you have to know that lactose intolerance is different from milk allergy. Milk allergy is a problem that stems from the baby’s immune system. Meanwhile, lactose intolerance is a problem that has to do with your baby’s digestive system.
An infant with lactose intolerance will develop colic-like symptoms such as:
- Being gassy
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating after consuming dairy products
- Unsettled during feeding. They tend to come on and off the breast or the bottle.
- Abdominal swelling
- Weight gain problem
- Irritability
- Crying when passing gas or pooping
- Diarrhoea
If you have a family history of being lactose intolerant, your baby is most likely prone to that condition. Once you suspect that your baby has lactose intolerance, you should visit your pediatrician as soon as possible so that you will be prescribed lactose-free formula milk.
Be Observant
Your baby’s symptoms can be confusing, especially since most conditions have similar symptoms. But, it is why you should be very observant of your baby’s behavior. Because, more often than not, how your baby behaves along with the symptoms will help you figure out what is really going on with them.
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