There has been a lot of research over the years into the causes of colic, however, a defined cause is still unknown. It is likely that a number of psychological, behavioral and biological components may contribute.

What is baby colic caused from?

What causes colic in babies?

Although there is still no defined answer, evidence points towards the following possible factors for colic in baby:

• Imbalance of gut bacteria and inflammation
• Allergy or intolerance to cow’s milk formula
• Allergy or intolerance to breastfeeding mother’s diet
• Exposure to cigarette smoke
• First born status

Imbalance of gut bacteria and inflammation

Several studies have revealed that babies with colic have significantly higher levels of bad bacteria and lower levels of good bacteria when compared with babies without colic symptoms. Researchers think that babies with colic experience intestinal pain and inflammation caused by an imbalance of beneficial bacteria. Alterations in baby’s gut bacteria may be influenced by:

• Antibiotics: given to mother during pregnancy/delivery or to baby after birth, as antibiotics kill the natural intestinal flora.
• Mode of delivery: cesarean born babies do not acquire potentially beneficial bacteria from the birth canal, as a vaginal born baby would.
• Formula feeding over breastfeeding: many infant formulas do not contain important prebiotics which are needed for the growth of healthy bacteria in the infant gut. Breastmilk contains a diverse array of prebiotics and beneficial microbes, supporting the development of baby’s gastrointestinal tract.

Allergy or intolerance 

Allergy or intolerance to cow’s milk protein through maternal diet for breastfed babies or infant formula for formula-fed babies may be a contributing factor for colic development in some. Other dietary allergens such as soy, eggs and fish may also contribute to colic symptoms in babies.

Exposure to cigarette smoke

There is a link between maternal smoking and infantile colic, and scientists think that this could be due to exposure to tobacco smoke increasing the hormone motilin which increases gut motility. Elevated blood motilin levels in babies are linked to an increase in risk for gastrointestinal dysregulation, including colic and acid reflux.

Firstborn status

While the mechanism is unknown, there appears to be a link between firstborn status and increased colic risk, as with family tension and parental anxiety.

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from an Expert Author

Diana Newman

BHSc Nutr Med, MNutr – Nutritionist

Diana is a registered nutritionist with close to 10 years’ experience in the industry working as a clinical nutritionist. She completed her undergraduate in Nutritional Medicine, followed by a Master’s Degree in Human Nutrition through Deakin University and is a member of the Australian Natural Therapists Association (ANTA) and Nutrition Society Australia (NSA).

Diana’s area of clinical expertise lies in digestive disorders, cardio metabolic conditions, fertility, pregnancy and infant nutrition. Diana is also a mum to 2 year old identical twin girls, and has spent recent years completing additional training in fertility and pregnancy nutrition through Monash University and Well College Global.

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