Colic

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Alternative medicine

By Mayo Clinic staff

Some 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
  1. Colic. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec05/ch051/ch051a.html?qt=bronchitis&alt=sh. Accessed Feb. 13, 2009.
  2. Roberts, D et al. Infantile colic. American Academy of Family Physicians. http://www.aafp.org/afp/20040815/735.html. Accessed Feb. 13, 2009.
  3. Cohen-Silver J, et al. Management of infantile colic: A review. Clinical Pediatrics. 2009;49:14.
  4. 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. http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/119/1/e124. Accessed Feb. 13, 2009.
  5. Canivet CA, et al. Infantile colic, maternal smoking and infant feeding at 5 weeks of age. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. 2008;36:284.

DS00058

April 14, 2009

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