What Is Colic?

• Colic is a condition that appears in infants who exhibit a greater irritability and inability to stop crying than other babies. No one, according to information from the College of Family Physicians in Canada, is sure what causes babies to have colic. Some theories are cow milk intolerance, reaction to gas producing foods like broccoli and onions in a breastfeeding mother's milk or a child having an immature central nervous system.

Dangers of Ignoring Colic

• A baby's cry is the child's way of communicating. Ignoring these cries can place the child in danger of missed medical conditions such as gastric reflux, hernia or other problems. Infants who have colic need professional medical care to rule out serious disorders. Vomiting and diarrhea are not colic symptoms. Emergency care should be sought if a baby vomits or has diarrhea.

Catnip Tea

• Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is not a true tea (Camellia sinensis) but a member of the mint family. Its reputed effects are as a sedative and antispasmodic. Traditional uses of catnip are for these sedative qualities, its muscle relaxant properties and for insomnia.

Dangers of Catnip Tea

• Herbs do not have standard formulation, therefore it is not always certain what dosage or quality you have obtained. Catnip is also a sedative and depresses the central nervous system. One theory of colic origin is that babies who suffer from this condition have immature central nervous systems. Depression of a baby's immature central nervous system, which helps the child breathe, is not advisable. Furthermore, according to the Egypt Ministry of Health and Population, catnip can cause headache, nausea, vomiting and anorexia (severe weight loss) in large doses.

Coping with Colic

• When a serious medical problem has not been found in the child, there are a few actions that parents can take to soothe the child's discomfort. Burping a child after every feeding helps to relieve a gassy stomach. Changes in the mother's diet by eliminating gas-producing foods such as broccoli, spicy foods and milk have had some success. Providing a quiet home with little stimulus is useful for babies with immature central nervous systems. Having a baby with colic can be frustrating and parents need to take time for themselves. Ask trusted relatives and friends for child care help. Your doctor can give you ideas to alleviate stress.