Hey there! 😉
So, I had quite an interesting weekend visiting a friend and her adorable new baby. 👶 Everything was going smoothly until the baby started crying non-stop. My friend sighed and mentioned that her little one has colic. 🙈
Though I took up nursing in college, I’m a relative newbie to all things baby-related. I knew the concept of what colic was, but not really how it’s treated. So, I went on a little jaunt over the internet, and let me share what I found! 🧐
Colic, in more simple terms, is like the ultimate crying marathon for babies, combined with what looks like abdominal pain. 🫣 It’s super common, affecting about 1 in 5 infants in their first few months. Unlike the usual baby cries for food, a diaper change, or comfort, colicky crying is mysterious and relentless. Imagine a baby crying for hours despite being well-fed, dry, and cuddled – that’s colic for you. Now imagine being first-time parents and not knowing what this is – an absolute nightmare. 😱
A colicky baby might cry intensely, often at the same time each day, and this can last from a few minutes to several hours. 😥 They might clench their fists, tense their abdominal muscles, draw their knees up, and arch their back. It’s heart-wrenching because there’s often little that can soothe them during these bouts.
The exact cause remains a mystery, but some believe it could be due to an immature digestive system or sensitivity to certain substances in milk. Interestingly, twice as many infants have colic if their mother smoked during pregnancy. (So, please don’t smoke!) Colic doesn’t discriminate; it affects breastfed and formula-fed infants equally and doesn’t care if it’s the first, second, or third child. 😐
Diagnosing colic is mostly about ruling out other conditions. Doctors might perform a physical exam to ensure there’s no underlying issue like an intestinal obstruction. 👨⚕️ If the baby is otherwise healthy but has episodes of intense crying, the baby is likely to be diagnosed to have colic.
While researching, I stumbled upon a couple of studies. They explored the use of aromatherapy massage with lavender oil or chamomile oil as a treatment for colic. 🪻🌼 In these studies, a group of colicky infants received abdominal massage from their mothers using lavender oil or chamomile oil. The massage showed a significant reduction in the length of time the babies cried each week! 🤯
Lavender oil is not only soothing but also very safe for babies when used correctly. A gentle abdominal massage with this oil might be just what the baby needs to feel more comfortable and reduce colicky episodes. 😌
Chamomile oil, another soothing and safe oil for babies that also has research behind it that it can be beneficial for babies who also have trouble sleeping. 😴 Both oils should always be diluted by carrier oils as it should never be used directly on babies’ skin and you know what the best formula in town isss! 😉 🪻Oleia Lavender Oil🪻 and 🌼Oleia Chamomile Oil🌼, of course! 🎉
Oleia has been formulated to be soothing, relaxing and safe to use to even the most sensitive of skin. Yes, even your precious little one. 👶There are countless of parents who use these wonderful oils to treat a wide array of minor aches, insect bites and more. Of course, consulting with a healthcare professional is always the best way before trying anything new. Now brb, sending my friend a bottle of Oleia---or two! 😝
So, what’s your go-to remedy for those tough parenting moments? Maybe Oleia too? 😉 Show me your bottle and I’ll show you mine? ‘Til next time! 🤗
xo L
👀: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/162806#home-remedies
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22435980/
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333376465_Effect_of_Topical_Chamomile_Oil_Matricaria_chamomile_L_as_a_Supplementary_Method_on_Colic_Symptoms_in_Infants_A_Randomized_Placebo-controlled_Clinical_Trial/link/5ce949ee92851c4eabbeaaff/download?_tp=eyJjb250ZXh0Ijp7InBhZ2UiOiJwdWJsaWNhdGlvbiIsInByZXZpb3VzUGFnZSI6bnVsbH19