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Alternative medicine
By Mayo Clinic staffSome parents report soothing their crying infants with alternative remedies. The remedies include:
- Herbal teas
- Herbal remedies, such as fennel oil
- Glucose
- Massage therapy
Alternative therapies for colic haven't proved to be consistently helpful, however, and some might even be dangerous. Talk to your baby's doctor before trying any alternative therapies for colic.
References
- Colic. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec19/ch266/ch266f.html. Accessed Feb. 28, 2011.
- Roberts DM, et al. Infantile colic. American Family Physician. 2004;70:735.
- Cohen-Silver J, et al. Management of infantile colic: A review. Clinical Pediatrics. 2009;48:14.
- Savino F, et al. Lactobacillus reuteri (American type culture collection strain 55730) versus simethicone in the treatment of infantile colic: A prospective randomized study. Pediatrics. 2007;119:e124.
- Canivet CA, et al. Infantile colic, maternal smoking and infant feeding at 5 weeks of age. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. 2008;36:284.
- Savino F. Focus on infantile colic. Acta Paediatrica. 2007;96:1259.
- Turner TL, et al. Clinical features and etiology of colic. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 1, 2011.
- Turner TL, et al. Evaluation and management of colic. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 1, 2011.
- Hoecker JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 2, 2011.
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