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What is the best formula for colic babies? In this helpful guide, I'll be reviewing the best baby formulas for colic, including pros, cons, and how to choose the right formula for your little one!
Is your infant excessively crying and fussy for what seems like no reason? If that's the case, then you may have a colicky baby on your hands. As parents, there's nothing worse than seeing our precious little ones in pain. For that reason, you're probably wondering how you can help your newborn feel better.
Lucky for us, there are ways to support colicky babies. There are a number of special formulas available online and in the formula aisle that are designed to ease colic symptoms and stop your baby's cry. If you've been endlessly searching "best formula for colic baby" online, this is the guide for you!
Today, I'm covering all the best formulas for babies with colic and reflux. So, want to know what to do for colicky babies? Read on.
What Is Colic And What Causes It?
Colic is the frequent and excessive crying of newborns during their first three months of age. Technically speaking, it is defined as a baby's crying for over 3 hours a day, more than 3 days per week, and spans at least 3 weeks. While the range for what could be considered colic is tricky to pin down, features of a baby's colic typically include:
- Crying for no apparent reason
- Intense crying that mimics an expression of pain
- Extreme fussiness, even after crying has ceased
- Predictable timing (episodes usually occur in the evening)
- Facial discoloring
- Body tension
The exact cause of colic is unknown, as it can result from several factors. Medical experts have a tough time accounting for all the various features, but they have determined several potential causes:
- A baby's digestive system is not fully developed
- There's an imbalance of healthy bacteria in the digestive tract
- Food allergies
- The mother's diet during pregnancy
- Overfeeding or underfeeding
- Early forms of childhood migraine
- Family stress or anxiety
Can Certain Baby Formulas Cause Colic?
Sometimes, bottle feeding too quickly (e.g. finishing a bottle in less than 20 minutes) or giving your baby too much formula can cause colic. The lactose or milk sugar present in standard infant formula may be a source of discomfort for your baby (or your baby could have a food allergy) which would then cause colic symptoms. Additionally, if your baby has a cow's milk allergy, feeding them formula milk made from dairy products could cause colic.
Signs Your Baby May Have Colic
Because moderate crying and fussing are normal for the majority of infants, it can be hard to tell whether or not your baby has colic. Aside from excessive crying, signs your baby may have colic include:
- Burping often or passing a lot of gas
- Having a bright red, flushed face
- Having a tight belly
- Curling their legs towards their tummy while crying
- Clenching their fists while crying
At Home Colic Remedies
If you think your little one has colic, the good news is that there are several home remedies you can try to alleviate some of their discomforts. Here are some old-fashioned remedies for colic:
- Lay your baby on their tummy. Sometimes, this simple change in position can help colicky babies. Additionally, you could try rubbing their back, which is both soothing and helpful for passing gas.
- Carry them. Oftentimes, colicky or gassy babies respond well to being held. Holding your baby for long periods or using a baby carrier may relieve symptoms of colic.
- Practice repetitive motion. Taking your baby for a walk, rocking them, or using a baby swing can help with colic symptoms.
- Hold them upright after feeding. Sometimes, gastroesophageal reflux disease is what causes your baby's colic. This means that your baby experiences a form of heartburn as breast milk or formula comes back up their esophagus after eating. Holding them upright can reduce these acid reflux symptoms.
- Thicken milk with infant cereal. You can add infant rice milk to formula or breast milk as a thickening agent. Your baby's doctor may recommend trying this to reduce acid reflux symptoms, but make sure to consult with them first.
- Use anti-colic baby bottles. You could try using a specialized, anti-colic bottle to help ease colic symptoms.
- Try a different formula. If your baby isn't responding well to your current formula, then it might be a good idea to explore other options. An anti-reflux formula, lactose-free formula, organic baby formula, or specialized colic formula might do the trick.
What Type Of Baby Formulas Help Prevent Colic?
Because the exact cause of colic isn't certain and colic looks a bit different for every baby, there are several types of formula that might help to soothe your baby's tummy (think: hypoallergenic formula, dairy or lactose-free formula, and soy formula). There isn't one best formula for colic and gas that works for all babies, so I recommend testing out a few formula options, as the right formula will depend on your baby's specific set of circumstances.
What To Look For When Choosing A Formula For Colic
While the best formula for your colicky baby will depend on their specific needs, there are a few things you should look for when choosing a formula for colic:
- Formulas with probiotics (like lactobacillus reuteri) and prebiotics, which help to ease digestion
- Anti-reflux milk
- Lactose-free milk, if your baby is showing signs of lactose intolerance
- Organic ingredients, which are helpful if your baby has intolerances
- Additives that enhance growth (DHA, ARA, or iron)
- Federal Drug Administration approval
Ingredients To Avoid
When it comes to finding the best formula for colic, you want to avoid formulas that have:
- Added sugars or syrup solids (although with hypoallergenic formulas, this sometimes can't be avoided)
- Preservatives
- GMO ingredients
- Soy (as this can be an allergen for some babies)
- Any hexane-extracted ingredients
If you're breastfeeding and supplementing with formula, you'll want to avoid the ingredients above and additionally, for your breastmilk, you may need to alter your diet. This is because there are certain foods that a mother eats that will pass into her breast milk.
Babies don't respond well to spices, caffeine, or alcohol, so cutting these out of the maternal diet could help to relieve colic symptoms if you choose to breastfeed.
Additionally, it may be a good idea for breastfeeding mothers to avoid consuming common allergens like cow's milk, eggs, wheat, nuts, soy, and fish, if your baby seems to be reacting to something in your breastmilk. Some mothers also choose to avoid foods known for causing intestinal gas, like cruciferous vegetables.
Aside from adjusting your maternal diet, there are a few home remedies that should be avoided when treating your baby for colic. Do not give a colicky baby dicycloverine or dicyclomine (a medication used to treat stomach cramps), as it has been found to cause breathing difficulties. Also avoid giving your baby star anise tea, as certain types may be toxic.
Best Baby Formulas For Colic
If you have a colicky baby at home, you may choose to turn to a specialized formula to help ease symptoms. If you're interested in giving this a go, here are my top picks for the best formula for colic babies.
Colicky Baby FAQs
Below you will find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about colic:
How long does colic last for a baby?
While every colicky baby is different, colic symptoms typically begin when infants are about 3 weeks old and last until about the 3- or 4-month mark.
What time of day is colic worse?
A hallmark of colic is that it usually occurs around the same time every day. While colic symptoms appear to come on suddenly, most babies get fussier in the evenings.
How many hours of the day do babies with colic cry?
Technically speaking, colic is defined as a baby crying for at least 3 hours a day, for at least 3 days per week, lasting for at least 3 weeks.
How can I relieve my baby's colic fast?
To relieve your baby's colic symptoms, try walking, rocking, or taking your baby for a car ride, as some respond well to movement. You could also give them a pacifier to suck on, rub their tummy, place them on their belly and pat their back, or plug in a white noise machine.
More Baby Formula Guides!
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, this post helped you determine what the best formula for colic will be for you and your baby! As always, if you have more questions about colic, formula, or figuring out what's best for your baby, leave a comment down below - I respond to every question I get!
