Infant colic is a terrible source of stress for all parents. These episodes of intense crying, which often occur after feedings and at bedtime in the evening, plunge parents into a state of deep distress, as they search for solutions. What can I do to relieve my baby? So that he no longer suffers pain and can finally enjoy his bottle feeds?
🤔 Can heating a baby's bottle ease colic?
According to some feedback, the answer is a resounding yes. But what's the truth? Does drinking warm milk improve digestion? Let's examine this question together, before listing the potential causes of colic in babies.
CONTENTS
- A definition of infant colic
- Can reheating a baby's bottle prevent colic?
- How to heat baby's milk properly?
- Other possible causes of colic
- In a nutshell: baby, colic and milk temperature
A definition of infant colic
Infant colic is characterized by frequent, severe and prolonged crying in healthy babies. The attacks generally occur at the end of the day and can last for several hours. Although the exact cause is not yet known, they are often attributed to abdominal pain or digestive disorders.
ℹ️ Among the most common hypotheses put forward by healthcare professionals is the possibility of an immature digestive tract.
Can reheating a baby's bottle prevent colic?
If you ask other parents around you, it's likely that many will give you the same answer: baby digests milk better when it's warm. But there's no real proof of this beyond their own observations.
Lack of tangible medical evidence
Reheating bottle milk is a common practice, long recommended by pediatricians. Although this is no longer the rule, many babies prefer warm milk, at a temperature close to their body temperature, in imitation ofbreastfeeding. However, to date, there is no solid scientific evidence that warm milk preventscolic.
👉 In the face of this complex and often multi-factorial phenomenon, milk temperature is just one aspect to consider.
Parents whose experience validates theory
But should we believe parents who talk about better digestion and less gas when milk is heated beforehand? Why not? They could be right. In that case, it might be worth looking into the best way to test a warm bottle with your baby.
How to heat baby's milk properly?
The bain-marie may be the oldest and longest-established technique for heating milk used by our mothers and grandmothers, but it's far from practical. And beware of burns. As for using the microwave, although it's true that it's more modern and quicker, it's still highly inadvisable, particularly to avoid the risk of microplastic migration and the destruction of milk nutrients.
🍼 Good to know: Why prefer a silicone bottle for your baby?
Going against the grain of these restrictive or dangerous methods, the bottle warmer is a gentle, safe alternative for you and your baby.
The TooGo bottle warmer, everywhere and gently
Want to know if warm milk can soothe your baby's tummy? A bottle warmer is an essential accessory for even, gentle heating to 37°C (the ideal temperature). At Élhée, we've developed for all little gourmets and traveling babies the TooGo nomad bottle warmer.
Because it warms milk (infant and maternal) and water in 5 minutes, slips easily into the changing bag and offers autonomy of up to 12 hours, hurry up and try it out! You'll also appreciate howeasy it is toavoid the risk of overheating, thanks to a temperature that can be adjusted, via digital display, to the nearest degree.🫶
On the other hand, there's no benefit to boiling milk. In fact, overheated milk loses some of its essential nutrients and runs the risk of still being too hot when your child eats.
🍼 On the same subject: how to prepare a bottle for your baby?
Causes of colic: other possible causesother possible causes
While rewarming the bottle can bring comfort, it's important to look for other factors linked to the onset of colic in your baby. To help you, here's a list of potential causes of infant colic.
Cow's milk protein intolerance
Some colic is directly linked to an intolerance cow's milk protein intolerance or allergy (CMPA)This is usually manifested by abdominal pain, vomiting, skin rashes or abnormal stools. However, only a doctor or your paediatrician can make a precise diagnosis and guide you in choosing a diet more suited to your child's needs.
👶 Pour aller plus loin: Which milk powder to choose for your baby's bottle?
Poor feeding position
Reviewing your baby's feeding position can also help prevent or alleviate colic. In fact, if your baby takes in too much air when he drinks, there's a greater risk of him suffering stomach pains. So.., when giving a bottle, make sure baby is well positionedhead slightly elevated and body aligned, so as to swallow fewer air bubbles. swallow fewer air bubbles and improve digestion.
Genetic predisposition
Colic may also be more frequent due to genetic factors or a hereditary predisposition. If you or your child's siblings have suffered from colic, it's likely that your child will develop it more easily.
In this case, a better understanding of the family history can helpanticipate, identify and alleviate symptoms more quickly (as well as putting them into perspective).
A bottle or teat with an unsuitable flow rate
If the flow of milk is too rapid (because the teat is too wide or damaged), too much milk and too much air enter the body, overloading the digestive system and causing rapid, painful bloating.
Conversely, if the flow is too slow, your baby will become frustrated and tired, having to suck harder to drink his milk. This happens if the flow rate of the teat is not adapted, or more rarely, if it gets blocked. What's more, this vigorous sucking also increases the amount of air swallowed.
🚼 Also read: How to choose the right nipple for your baby's bottle?
At Élhée, we offer physiological teats in soft, odor-free medical silicone for all our bottles , with a choice of 4 flow rates - L, M, S and XS - to suit your child's age and appetite.
✨ Most read: TOP 20 anti-colic solutions to soothe baby's pain
In a nutshell: baby, colic and milk temperature
Warming the milk may help digestion, but unfortunately it's not a guaranteed solution to colic. On the other hand, some babies love it and only feel full and soothed with a belly full of warm milk. The best thing to do, then, is to follow your instincts as parents and observe your baby, in order to spot what makes him feel good.
And good news! Even if you need a little patience, colic generally fades away on its own around 4 to 6 months of age, with the onset of with the onset of dietary diversification. 😉
🤍 Conseil Élhée: Have you ever thought of changing your baby's bottle? Maybe yours just isn't right for your child. Our feeding bottles, designed in unbreakable medical silicone, 100% healthy and therefore without risk of spreading micro-particles in the milk, are anti-colic. An innovation made possible by their flexible design and the valve on the teat.
Want to treat yourself to an ultra-trendy anti-colic feeding bottle? Discover our Graouu 🐆, Liberty 🌸 and Full of Love ❤️ collections!
