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It’s an unavoidable fact that all babies cry. However, when babies cry with colic, the grueling demands of a screaming baby and the mix of emotions felt by parents can take their toll. Parents feel helpless and frustrated not knowing how to help their inconsolable baby, they feel exhausted from a lack of sleep and the whole household is often disrupted. Fortunately, homeopathy has some excellent remedies to help with colic pain and problems of assimilation and digestion.
What are the signs and symptoms of Colic?
Colic can occur in infants anywhere from 2 weeks to 5 months old, however I have seen babies in the clinic suffering from colic for longer periods.
Infantile colic is described as episodes of irritability and excessive crying in otherwise healthy infants thought to be due to spasms of the intestines. During periods of spasmodic pain, a baby with colic often arches the back or will draw its legs up the stomach. The abdomen can be extended and hard, they may pass wind and the face can be red or pale. Parents may notice that the colic episode ends after the infant burps or has a bowel movement.
It is important to get your baby checked out by a doctor to rule out any serious underlying issues.
How can homeopathy help an infant with colic?
In homeopathy, our aim is not only to help relieve the baby’s discomfort but also to strengthen and improve an immature digestive system Using homeopathic remedies selected according to the infant’s need, homeopathic treatment helps support the baby’s development and accelerate natural healing.
How to find a homeopathic remedy for colic
A homeopath is interested to know more than the diagnosis of colic. During a consultation, the homeopath will be interested to know the following information to help select a suitable remedy for your baby.
- What does the baby do when in pain (arches her back, stretches out, moves constantly)?
- What brings them partial relief (carrying them over your shoulder, rocking them hard or softly, massaging or applying pressure)?
- When is the colic at its worst – morning, night, during sleep, before/after stool or flatulence, before or immediately after eating?
- Stools – any changes in habits, easy or difficulty expelling, pain, odour?
- Abdomen – is it hard or swollen, any noises of bubbling or gurgling?
- What’s the appetite like? Is there any weight loss?
- Emotionally what seems to help or aggravate the child – being carried, rocked, soothed, or being with company?
- How does the colic cry differ from the baby’s other cries, for example when hungry or tired?
- Are there any other symptoms such as sweat, cheek colour, vomiting, hiccups, etc?
- What is the mother’s diet like?
Homeopathic remedies for colic
To explain the difference here are some example homeopathic remedies for colic that may be prescribed where the symptoms fit.
Chamomilla
An infant needing Chamomilla screams and shrieks with the pain, is cranky, restless, and doesn’t seem to know what they want. The parents are at their wit’s end as to how to pacify the child and the only thing that brings temporary relief is rocking or carrying the child hard constantly. Stools may be green and smell of rotten eggs, the abdomen is distended and one cheek may be hot and swollen.
Dioscorea
This remedy is indicated when a colicky baby arches its back and stretches its legs out with the pain. Holding the baby upright seems to help.
Colocynthis
Indications for this remedy would be a baby who is bad-tempered and draw its legs upwards and inwards with the pain. The abdomen is bloated, the pain is sudden and severe coming in waves. The baby seems to be better when there is firm pressure applied to the stomach such as when it is held over the shoulder or after passing a stool.
Nux Vomica
This remedy may be indicated when the nursing mum has eaten spicy foods or overindulged in food, coffee or alcohol.
While colic generally will resolve itself over time, it is of little comfort to exhausted parents listening to their baby scream in pain. Homeopathy offers a solution that can bring rapid and effective relief and parents have reported improvements in the colic within hours, enjoying the full benefits of homeopathy shortly thereafter. What a great way to help an infant during its early developmental stages of life.
A mum’s testimonial on how Homeopathy helped her baby with colic
“Sophie suffered with colic after 3 weeks and despite numerous changes in formula and use of every over-the-counter product that was available nothing seemed to work. I was literally at my wit’s end with exhaustion and frustration and watching Sophie in so much distress was awful. I visited Eileen on Thursday morning and by the following Monday afternoon Sophie was literally a different child, she was so much more comfortable and settled. She has had dips and Eileen altered treatment each time to improve her symptoms. Sophie is now 8 months old and is doing very well. Without Eileen’s intervention, I don’t know how we would have coped, and it’s great to see Sophie well and in good form.”
Sharon, Dublin 8
For further information contact
Eileen Scullion, Registered Homeopath (LicISH ISHom) with the Irish Society of Homeopaths
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Eileen Scullion of Homeopathy-Healing is a Registered Homeopath LicISH ISHom with the Irish Society of Homeopaths (The Regulatory Body for the Homeopathic Profession which is recognized by the Department of Health and Children and works on the National Working Group towards an integrated Health System).