Gaseous colic is a very common disorder among infants and, although they last just a few weeks, they are capable of stressing even the most calm and patient of parents. Colic, in fact, is manifested with inconsolable crying, especially towards the evening, and can last up to three hours. Colic begins around the second or third week of life and usually goes away within four months. If your child has suffered, you will have surely been surprised by these crying fits, during which he kicks, stiffens his legs and draws them towards the abdomen and there seems to be nothing that can calm him down. This crying is, in fact, quite different from that when he is tired or hungry, and therefore easily recognizable.

It is likely that the problem is triggered by a combination of causes. One is the air that the baby ingests whilst sucking milk from his mother’s breast or his bottle, as it passes through the intestine it creates tension and the contraction of the tummy muscles, which obviously causes pain. It is possible to avoid this ingestion of air by making sure the baby does not get hungry between feeds, as this makes him suck fast and greedily or by choosing a bottle with a shape that promotes a continuous flow of milk.

The intestine of infants starts to learn how to function during the first few weeks and this leads to intensive bowel movements that are specifically intended to mature the intestine. Finally, even though he is still small, the baby can be a little “stressed out" : the outer-uterine life, the emotions and new sensations make a baby very tired and the nervous tension can affect the intestinal muscles. In some cases, very rarely, colics may be due to a form of intolerance to cow's milk which is too rich in protein for a baby, and found in his formula milk and even in breast milk, especially when the mother eats a lot of dairy products.

There are several methods that can be used to try to alleviate the pain in his tummy. Take the baby in your arms and cuddle him, supporting him on his stomach with his head in the crook of your  arm and his chest lying on your forearm. Sometimes it may be helpful to massage the baby’s abdomen: Pour a few drops of baby oil or warm sweet almond oil on the palms of your hands and gently massage with swirling motions clockwise around the navel. Start from the right side of his belly working from the bottom upwards, followed by horizontal movements and then down the left side, and from there to the groin. A warm bath can also help to resolve the situation while some mothers have found it effective to give their baby some chamomile or fennel tea. Dad can also come to the rescue and try some "outdoor" solutions: a walk with the pram or a ride in the car are sometimes successful methods, most likely because the rhythmic movement helps the baby to relax.

To encourage the expulsion of air you can also try to stimulate the anus, after you have applied a few drops of oil, with the tip of a child’s thermometer or a specific little pipe found in pharmacies, The systematic use of this remedy, however, is not recommended, because the repeated stimulation of his bottom can cause unpleasant irritation. Only if the colic attacks are  particularly painful, frequent and prolonged you may want to consider the possibility of tackling the disorder with antispasmodic and anti-air medicines specifically designed for children as they serve to relax the muscles of the bowel. They must always be prescribed by the pediatrician and only used where strictly necessary.