Breastfeeding and Colic

In many cases, it’s difficult to analyze the cause of colic in babies, but even then, one thing that is widely accepted in the fact that it is related to baby’s digestive tract. Invariably this has a direct connection with breastfeeding.

Mothers usually start breastfeeding their babies as they are born but due to professional or some other reasons they tend to leave it early and this often becomes the cause of their baby colic. Read on to know the relationship between baby colic and breastfeeding.

Theories Regarding Breastfeeding and Colic

Though the studies clearly shown that mothers can breastfeed their babies for 4 years but hardly any mother does so and they have their own valid reasons to stop it early. Have a look at the following two theories to see the relation between breastfeeding and colic:

• The first theory says that the baby who breastfeeds is expected to inhale a certain amount of air. So, it is essential for the mother’s to let the baby burp before making him sleep, else it will cause colic due to indigestion or gas problems in the stomach.
• The second theory says that whatever the mother eats has a direct consequence on the baby who breastfeeds. Mothers should avoid gaseous foods, which are difficult to digest, as else the baby will find it hard to digest it after having a breastfeed and the ultimate result will be colic. Eliminating cow’s milk and other dairy products from the mother’s diet proves beneficial in curing a colicky baby.

Benefits Of Breastfeeding For Babies

Mothers, who breastfeed their babies often themselves don’t know the benefits their baby will get out of it. So, here is a complete list of benefits of breastfeeding for babies:

• It is nutritional and contains fatty acids, lactose, amino acids and water, which are essential for baby’s brain and digestive development.
• Human infants find is easy to digest breast milk than cow milk.
• Babies who are breast-fed are healthier than those who are bottle-fed, as human milk transfers mothers’ antibodies to the babies.
• Babies who are breast-fed contain large amounts of Lactobacillus bifidus, beneficial bacteria that helps preventing harmful organisms.
• Breastfeeding enables the baby to drink sterile milk that is not contaminated by dirt and pollution.
• Sucking breastfeed is good for baby’s jaw development.
• According to researches, babies who are breast-fed feel secure and happy when given a breastfeed due to direct contact with mother.
• Human milk is safe for babies with no allergies that may arise from formula foods and other supplements.
• Researches also came up with an interesting fact that many infants feel good smelling their mother’s milk and get automatically cured from colic.
• Even placing pads dipped in mother’s milk and placed near babies can relieve many colicky babies.

Remember, that there though there is no confirmation on this that breastfeeding gives an instant relief from colic, it however does definitely helps in many cases when the baby is irritated and cries constantly for hours.