Colic is a recognised medical term for excessive, frequent crying in infants who appear to be otherwise healthy and well fed. Medical practitioners do not denitively understand or agree upon the cause of colic but there is research to support a number of contributing factors - including over-stimulation, food intolerances, over feeding, digestive tract immaturity and intestinal gas, (to name but a few).

One of the most common contributing factors is still believed to be gastrointestinal discomfort and there is information which suggests intestinal gas and internalised air to be a cause based on symptoms where babies' bellies often look swollen, feel hard, and make a rumbling sound. There is also information which suggests that a burp or a bowel movement can end a colicky attack, further supporting the theory that intestinal gas is a contributing factor.

A baby can ingest air in 2 ways when feeding from a bottle – (i) Air mixed within the milk and (ii) as they suckle at the teat.

The new advanced comfort™ range from closer to nature is specially designed to help reduce air bubbles in the milk and to encourage a good latch-on at the teat to help reduce the risk of baby ingesting air during feeding.

Hints and tips for helping ease colic in your baby
There's nothing that will de_nitely help to ease colic in your baby. But here are some things that might help over-the-counter preparation like Infacol™, Colief™ or gripe water.
If you're bottle feeding, aim to reduce the amount of air your baby ingests by experimenting with vented bottles and teats, and keeping the bottle upright during feeds so milk is always covering the neck.
If breastfeeding, taking care to let your baby drain the whole breast, before offering her the other one.
You could also try cutting out anything from your diet that seems linked: dairy products, spicy dishes, caffeine, alcohol, strong-tasting veg like cabbage, sprouts and onions, wheat, and citrus fruits or juices are the usual suspects.
Checking with your GP, to rule out any possible medical causes.

A new comfort for baby and parents…

Air ingested by baby when bottle feeding is believed to be one of the contributing factors to colic. The new advanced comfort™ bottle range of bottles and teats from closer to nature® is designed to reduce the risk of baby ingesting air during feeding

The discomfort which can be caused by ingesting air when bottle feeding, can be stressful and upsetting for both parents and babies. A baby can ingest air in 2 ways when feeding from a bottle:
1. air mixed within the milk
2. as they feed at the teat

The new advanced comfort® range is specially designed to help reduce air bubbles in the milk and to encourage a good latch-on at the nipple to help reduce the risk of baby ingesting air during feeding.

Patented air venting system + award-winning teat for easy latch on = reduced risk of baby ingesting air

closer to nature® Global Marketing Manager, Katy Pigg comments, 'Discomfort in babies, which may be caused by air ingested during bottle feeding is a common problem we see and hear about from many parents. It can be distressing for baby and parents alike, when this does happen. The new advanced comfort™ bottles and teats are designed to help reduce this risk, for happier babies and parents all-round"

The advanced comfort™ range of bottles and teats is part of the award-winning closer to nature® range. It is available exclusively at Babies R Us. Prices start at $9.99 for teats and $14.99 for bottles. Bottles are available in packs of 1, 2 and 6. Teats come in medium and fast flow rates to suit baby's age.