If your baby seems especially unsettled after feeds, you are not alone in searching for answers. Colic is common, affecting around 1 in 5 babies. It usually starts in the first few weeks, often peaks at around six weeks, and tends to settle by three to six months.
One possible reason behind colic-like symptoms is temporary lactose intolerance in babies. It is not the only cause of colic, but for some little ones, it can be part of the picture. Colic can have several possible causes, including temporary difficulty digesting the lactose in milk.
What is temporary lactose intolerance in babies?
Temporary lactose intolerance happens when your baby’s gut is still developing and does not yet make enough lactase, the enzyme needed to break down lactose, the natural sugar in milk. When lactose is not digested properly, it can stay in the gut and ferment, which may lead to wind, bloating, watery or frothy stools, and tummy discomfort.
This is one reason some babies may seem more uncomfortable after feeds in the early weeks and months.
What can temporary lactose intolerance look like?
Babies with temporary lactose intolerance may have:
- lots of wind
- a bloated tummy
- frothy or explosive stools
- crying or discomfort after feeds
These symptoms can look very similar to general colic, so it is more helpful to look at the overall pattern rather than one sign on its own.
Where Colief Infant Drops fit in
Colief Infant Drops are for times when temporary lactose intolerance may be part of the problem. They contain lactase enzyme, which helps break down the lactose in breast milk or formula, making feeds easier to digest.
Suitable from birth, Colief Infant Drops are one of the UK’s most prescribed products for colic and have been trusted by parents and healthcare professionals for over 20 years.
There is supporting evidence behind lactase use in some babies. Colief Infant Drops were associated with improvements in symptoms linked with colic, and outcomes were similar to lactose-free formula without needing to stop breastfeeding
What should you do if you think this could be the cause?
Start by looking for patterns. Does your baby seem more uncomfortable after feeds? Is the crying linked with wind, bloating or unusual stools? A simple cry or feeding diary can help make things clearer.
It can also help to keep the wider picture in mind. Colic is a diagnosis of exclusion, which means other possible causes should be ruled out first.
When to ask for advice
Speak to your GP or health visitor if:
- symptoms suddenly get worse
- your baby is not growing as expected
- the crying has not improved after four months
Colic can be exhausting, and you do not have to work it all out on your own.
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