Caring for a baby who cries uncontrollably or is uncomfortable can be overwhelming for even the most laid-back of parents. One of the most common causes of prolonged crying, nervousness and agitation in infants is colic, which affects them 1 in 4 newborn babiesOpens a new window. If you bottle feed or exclusively formula or pumped breast milk, it is important to have a good anti-colic bottle on hand, e.g. MAM’s Easy Start Anti-Colic bottleOpens a new window.
“Anti-colic bottles are designed to reduce the amount of air babies swallow while eating. All infants swallow air while feeding, whether at the breast or bottle, however, using this type of bottle helps reduce the amount of air swallowed,” says Meg Cook, a neonatal feeding specialist at Northside Hospital in Atlanta. “This can help prevent gas and colic to keep baby more comfortable during the day or evening. There is no harm in using an anti-colic bottle, so as a parent who plans ahead, I would buy these bottles in advance to promote comfortable feeding and a happier baby.”
Let’s clarify what colic is and its potential causes.
What are colic?
Colic is excessive nervousness and crying in a newborn for a long period. Although there is no specific cause of colic, certain factors can contribute to it, such as excess gas and agitation. Colic usually starts when the baby is around 2 weeks old, peaks around 6 weeks and usually ends by 4 months. Although colic is common, persistent and intense crying can be difficult for parents to deal with. A baby is considered sick if it is under 5 months old and cries for more than three hours straight, three or more days a week, for at least three weeks in a row.
Causes of cramps
Colic is common in both first-born and later-born babies, boys or girls, as well as in formula-fed infants and newborns. Some babies are more prone to colic than others and no one knows the exact reasons. A few options include:
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Allergy or intolerance to milk
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Stomach problems caused by overfeeding or underfeeding your baby, or not burping enough.
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Digestive problems such as gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), also known as acid reflux. If your baby spits up often and feels uncomfortable, contact your pediatrician.
For more causes of cramps, see this articleOpens a new window.
Symptoms and signs
Babies cry for a variety of reasons, but if your child shows the following signs, they may have colic:
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Excessive crying, often at the same time of day
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Crying that is louder and higher pitched than normal and may sound like your baby is in pain.
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Inconsolable, regardless of your attempt to soothe them
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Crying episodes that start and end abruptly
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Gas in the stomach or other gastrointestinal problems – which can be very distressing to the baby. A colicky baby often swallows air when crying, which contributes to gas problems.
Bottle specialized for relief
MAM’s Easy Start anti-colic bottles are specially designed to ensure a smooth flow of milk so babies don’t swallow a lot of air that can cause gas, colic or burping thanks to their patented vented base. Some other features of their anti-cramp bottle include:
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The ultra soft silicone nipple is soft and known as mom
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Comes with a size 1 slow flow nipple
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It self-sterilizes in the microwave and is easy to clean with a bottle brush
Parents in the BC community love MAM bottles, and it’s no surprise that our editorial team called them “one of the easiest to clean.” But what do the professionals think? We spoke to several medical experts and asked them which bottles they recommend, and MAM came out on top once again.
“I really prefer the MAM bottles with their self-sterilizing features for my baby. It’s much simpler. We love our MAM bottles—they’re safe, fast, and so much easier for us.” – Sarah Freeman, nurse and mother of three
Sarah Peck, a registered nurse and lactation consultant, recommends the MAM colic bottle for babies who won’t take the bottle. “I recommend it for babies who struggle with bottle weaning after a long break from bottle feeding,” she says. “The compressed nipple makes the transition between breast and bottle easier for even the most breastfeeding babies.”
In addition, MAM bottles are particularly easy to clean and sterilize. Ryan Hilliard, a dad and nurse who decided to use MAM Easy Start colic bottles with his baby, “Knowing that there’s no mold hiding in the little parts gave me such peace of mind.” Sarah Freeman, a nurse and mother of three agrees: “I really prefer MAM bottles with their self-sterilizing features for my baby. It’s much simpler. We love our MAM bottles—they’re safe, fast, and so much easier for us.”
Conclusion
Dealing with a colicky baby or a baby who only has occasional bouts of gas can be challenging. Just remember that this stressful chapter will be over before you know it.
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