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The most horrible nightmare for all new parents is the mysterious affliction called colic, which causes babies to suffer sudden and intense fits of crying which won’t end for a few hours. Although there are plenty of treatments available on the market, there’s no proof they are actually effective, since the real cause of the condition is unknown. Now, researchers have discovered one option which might really work.
Colic doesn’t seem to have a medical explanation
A recent study managed to collect plenty of evidence that a probiotic is the secret to end the colic nightmare. The probiotic is called Lactobacillus reuteri, and was already commercialized as a treatment. Now, it turns out it is really working.
During previous studies, researchers doubted the efficacy of the probiotic. However, for this new paper, researchers investigated four trials documenting the cases 345 babies with colic. These trials took place in four different countries, namely Canada, Poland, Australia, and Italy, and documented the use and effects of Lactobacillus reuteri.
The trials reached more conclusions, but researchers took the data they collected and analyzed it separately. This is how they observed the probiotic could combat colic in those babies who were only breastfed. These infants had double the chances to cut their fits of crying by 50 percent.
The treatment is effective for breastfed babies
However, the studies had few data on the formula fed babies, so there’s not enough evidence to prove the probiotic works universally. This prevents the scientists from guaranteeing this method as the best, since mothers who don’t breastfeed their babies might face difficulties in treating their colic when administering them Lactobacillus reuteri.
However, they advise parents to go see a pediatrician if their baby’s colic doesn’t seem to end. In many cases, the crying might have a medical cause, which usually needs a customized treatment to work. However, even this potential option is worth trying when your baby won’t stop crying for hours.
The study was published in the journal Pediatrics.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
