Pediatricyīng ér cháng jiǎo tòng

Infant colic

Also called:three-month colicevening colic

From the TCM perspective: Infant colic: wind-cold in the intestines or milk stagnation

Overview

Infant colic is evening crying and cramping episodes in a 2-16 week old who is hard to soothe and pulls up the legs, yet thrives between episodes. TCM explains it by wind-cold trapped in the intestines from cold milk/exposed abdomen, or milk stagnation and poor digestion. It is a diagnosis of exclusion.

☯Common patterns (syndrome differentiation)

Intestinal cold-wind

Key distinguishing signs: Evening crying with a cold tense abdomen and drawn-up legs, soothed by warmth, frothy stool
Treatment principle: Warm the middle and expel wind

Milk-food stagnation

Key distinguishing signs: Sour burping, bloating, curdled spit-up and frothy foul stool, thick white tongue coat
Treatment principle: Digest milk stagnation and harmonize the middle

Fright disturbing qi

Key distinguishing signs: Sudden crying after a loud noise, startles and anxious sleep without clear bloating
Treatment principle: Calm the spirit and regulate qi

Damp-heat/sensitivity

Key distinguishing signs: Red eczema and frequent loose sour stools with crying after a particular feed, irritability
Treatment principle: Clear damp-heat and medically review feeding

Daily self-care

Try consistent soothing: upright carrying, gentle rocking, white noise, a pacifier and swaddling.
Review latch, burp during/after feeds and slow a fast bottle flow.
Log the crying pattern; get a pediatric exam to exclude organic causes and do not blame yourself.

When to seek medical help

The following warning signs require prompt medical evaluation — do not rely on self-treatment:

Altered high-pitched/inconsolable crying with fever, lethargy or refusal to feed.
Repeated/projectile (green) vomiting, blood in stool, a rigid swollen or tender abdomen.
Poor growth, dehydration, few wet diapers or persistent jaundice.

Medical disclaimer: Educational content about traditional Chinese medicine for information only; it is not a diagnosis or treatment and does not replace a qualified clinician. If symptoms worsen or warning signs appear, seek medical care.

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