What causes colic?

If your baby has colic, you may be wondering: "Why me?" And you're not alone - colic affects as many as one in four babies.

We don't know exactly what causes colic, but experts have a number of theories that include the following.

Food allergies and gas: Some babies may be lactose intolerant, or have an allergy to certain foods such as cow's milk. This can cause gas and bloating, which may lead to the frequent crying and fussing seen with colicky babies.

Imbalance of good and bad bacteria in the digestive system: Infants with lower levels of certain "good" bacteria in the digestive system may be more prone to colic.

Cigarette smoke: Being exposed to cigarette smoke during pregnancy or after birth may increase a baby's risk of colic. Cigarette smoke is believed to increase the levels of certain chemicals in the baby's body. These chemicals increase the risk of colic.

Other factors: Colic may also be related to differences in a baby's environment, how they react to things, and whether they need attention. How you feed your child and your level of anxiety or stress are also considered possible causes.

Any of these factors may be involved in causing colic. But further research is needed to find out more about how these factors are related to colic and whether other factors may also be involved. It's important to remember that colic is not a disease, and having colic does not mean your baby is sick or that you are a bad parent. Talk to your pharmacist or your baby's paediatrician about how to deal with your baby's colic.

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