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Homeopathy knows many remedies that help with digestive disorders in infants and with intestinal colic. An intestinal catarrh shows itself by cramping pains in the bowels, which can cause the infant to curl up or draw its legs up. Passing wind or belching can bring relief, but some infants are simply more prone to digestive problems than others. |
About 20% of all babies suffer from intestinal catarrh from time to time. Symptoms usually begin at around three months of age; they are probably triggered by developmental processes of the digestive system. As these children often cry for more than three hours a day, the mothers urgently need a solution.
Symptoms of digestive disorders vary from child to child, but most babies draw their legs up to their tummy and their faces flush red from crying. Their little feet are often cold and their clenched hands are held in a fist.
Homeopathic remedies are very suitable for treating an acute intestinal colic. Observe the child to see whether it curls up, whether it likes being touched or does not want to be touched, which position it prefers, what its mood is like, and what colour the stool is. These are important clues that help us distinguish between the homeopathic remedies for intestinal catarrh. |
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Chamomilla
Chamomile is one of the best-known remedies for intestinal colic in infants. The Chamomilla catarrh produces green stool, and often one or both of the child's cheeks are flushed; this occurs together with hot sweat and constant crying. A bloated belly also indicates that this is a Chamomilla colic. |
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Pulsatilla
In Pulsatilla intestinal catarrh we find a delicate little tummy that rumbles with gas. The child feels cold and its face is pale. The colics are usually triggered by ice, fatty foods or the consumption of fruit. The child is irritable and nothing seems to satisfy it. Especially at night Pulsatilla children often have hiccups. They suffer from severe flatulence and have a dry mouth, yet they are not thirsty. No two stools are the same when Pulsatilla is the right remedy.
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Sulfur
A baby that needs Sulfur feels worse from 9pm to midnight. These children are better when carried or when travelling in a car. The intestinal colics may also be accompanied by earache or toothache (due to teething).
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Calcium carbonicum
The Calcium catarrh is common in children with delayed teething; also in babies who constantly want to feed at the breast yet fail to thrive. They get colic as soon as they eat something, so they sometimes refuse food. The fontanelle often closes late in these children.
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Aconite
With Aconite we treat a child that has diarrhoea with colic and is unable to find a comfortable position. The children often have a white‑coated tongue and a strong thirst. Clay‑coloured stools. |
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Colocynthis
A child that needs Colocynthis feels better when laid on its stomach, and it cries as soon as this position is changed. Pain improves with firm pressure, as with Belladonna. The stools are loose, watery and gaseous.
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Nux vomica
With Nux vomica we treat an intestinal catarrh caused by overeating. The child is constipated and bloated. It has pain around the navel as soon as it eats anything. If a breastfeeding mother has eaten something that disagrees with the child, Nux may be the right remedy. Nux vomica children also often get diarrhoea after drinking milk. The child usually has dry skin and dry lips, and the mouth is dry. It is sensitive to damp and cold and easily feels chilly. These children are better when kept warm and when taken for a walk. Hands and feet feel cold. |
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China
When China (cinchona bark) is given for an intestinal colic, the child's belly swells, yet this relieves the symptoms. The abdomen enlarges and the child may vomit. Fruit can provoke this type of intestinal catarrh in infants.
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Belladonna
If the child cannot tolerate even the slightest touch to its tummy, but is relieved by firm pressure on the abdomen, Belladonna is indicated. The pains are very severe and shoot in suddenly. They disappear as abruptly as they came. |
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Arsenicum album
When food passes through the gut undigested, think of Arsenicum. The stools are foul‑smelling, and the child needing this remedy is very anxious. These children cry during and after feeding. The Arsenicum child is noticeably restless.
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Homeopathy has many remedies to relieve colic‑like pains in the digestive tract. Usually the (available over‑the‑counter) remedies are given in C6 or C30 and bring about rapid improvement. (If symptoms persist, consult your doctor or a naturopath.)
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