How to Use Medication to Treat Colic
If your baby, without apparent cause, cries for more than 3 hours at a time for 3 days a week or more, he probably suffers from colic. The condition affects about 10 percent of all infants. Medication doesn't usually treat colic, but can sometimes help with the symptoms.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
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1
Purchase medication that contains simethicone in doses appropriate for newborns. Simethicone treats the gas that can cause colic. Doctors say this medication usually works in about half of all colic cases.
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2
Give your infant probiotic drops (or powder) to treat the imbalance in her intestines. This treatment is still being researched for colic, but early studies have shown it produces better results than the simethicone drops.
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3
Buy gripe water to calm your baby's cries. Some gripe water manufacturers boast all organic and natural ingredients. Beware of any that contain sodium bicarbonate, which is inappropriate for children under 5.
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4
Try medication containing dicyclomine hydrochloride, if your baby still suffers from colic after 6 months of age. Note that this product carries a high risk of serious side effects, so use it with caution.
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Tips & Warnings
If medication doesn't work, try home remedies. Be patient, babies usually outgrow colic on their own by 3 months of age.
Don't use products that contain charcoal or alcohol; both are dangerous for babies.
