Causes of Colic in Babies: Understanding the Root Causes and How to Handle Them

A baby crying for long periods at night is often one of the most exhausting challenges for parents. Babies may suddenly cry nonstop, even after being fed, carried, or having their diapers changed. This situation leaves many parents wondering whether their baby is hungry, uncomfortable, or experiencing colic.

In many cases, this condition is connected to the causes of colic in babies that actually begin during the day, but only become noticeable at night. Colic is not simply about crying — it is also about the buildup of small discomforts that remain unresolved. That is why understanding the root causes early on is the key to preventing the condition from happening repeatedly.

The article below will uncover the various causes and provide effective solutions to help keep your little one comfortable.

What Is Colic in Babies?

Colic is a condition where babies cry excessively without a clear reason. Medically, colic is usually characterized by crying for more than three hours a day, occurring more than three days a week, and lasting during the first few weeks of life.

Although colic is not considered a disease, it still deserves attention because it is closely related to a baby’s comfort and well-being. Many experts believe that the causes of colic in babies are often linked to an immature digestive system, especially when excess gas builds up in the stomach.

Why Does Colic Often Happen at Night?

Colic tends to appear more frequently at night because of several interconnected factors. Throughout the day, babies experience many activities such as feeding, exposure to sounds, lights, and social interaction. All of these can cause overstimulation.

In addition, gas that forms during feeding sessions throughout the day can gradually accumulate. When nighttime comes, a baby’s still-developing body may not yet be able to manage everything optimally. This is why the causes of colic in babies often feel more intense during the evening hours.

Hidden Causes of Colic in Babies That Often Go Unnoticed

Source: Magnific

1. Air Entering During Feeding

When babies drink milk, not only milk enters their body — air can also be swallowed. If too much air is swallowed, gas bubbles can form inside the stomach. This gas puts pressure on the stomach walls and causes discomfort.

This is one of the most common causes of colic in babies, yet it often goes unnoticed because it happens naturally during feeding.

2. Improper Feeding Techniques

The way milk is given also plays a major role. A bottle held at an angle that is too steep can make milk flow too quickly, while a bottle held too flat forces babies to suck harder.

Both situations can cause babies to swallow more air. Over time, this becomes one of the causes of colic in babies that leads to recurring discomfort.

3. Poor Latch (Latch Issues)

An imperfect latch prevents babies from feeding efficiently. As a result, babies tend to suck harder and are more likely to swallow air.

Whether during direct breastfeeding or bottle feeding, improper latch is one of the causes of colic in babies that is often overlooked.

4. Baby Bottles with Complex Designs

Bottles with many small components are often difficult to clean thoroughly. Leftover milk residue can become a breeding ground for bacteria.

These bacteria may disrupt a baby’s digestive system, making them one of the hidden causes of colic in babies that are not immediately visible but can have a significant impact.

Why Aren’t Regular Bottles Enough?

Not all bottles are designed to support a baby’s digestive comfort. Many bottles focus only on appearance or shape without considering important functions such as milk flow and air control.

In fact, these two factors greatly influence the causes of colic in babies. Without the right system, babies may still experience bloating and discomfort even when switching between different bottles.

A Modern Solution: Anti-Colic Bottles with Air-Vent Systems

An air-vent system is designed to maintain balanced air pressure inside the bottle. With this system, air does not easily mix with the milk while the baby drinks.

By reducing the amount of swallowed air, the risk of gas buildup in the stomach also decreases. This directly helps address one of the main causes of colic in babies, namely excess gas accumulation.

A Smarter Approach: An Integrated Feeding System

Modern approaches no longer focus on just one feeding tool, but on the entire feeding system. An integrated system allows the process of pumping, storing, and feeding breast milk to happen within the same container.

By reducing milk transfers between containers, the risk of air exposure and contamination can be minimized. This becomes an effective way to reduce several causes of colic in babies more comprehensively.

The Advantages of Hegen in Supporting Comfortable Feeding

Hegen offers solutions designed to meet the real needs of both babies and parents with several advantages:

• Anti-colic air-vent system helps reduce swallowed air.

• Ergonomic teat design supports natural latch for more comfortable feeding.

• Practical design makes everyday use easier.

• Multifunctional system allows pumping, storage, and feeding without changing containers.

• Easy to clean, helping maintain hygiene and digestive health.

All these features contribute to reducing the causes of colic in babies more effectively.

Practical Tips to Reduce Colic at Night

These simple steps can help reduce the risk of colic:

• Make sure your baby’s feeding position is comfortable and not rushed.

• Burp your baby after feeding to release trapped gas.

• Use bottles with anti-colic systems.

• Avoid overstimulation before bedtime.

• Pay attention to feeding patterns throughout the day.

With consistency, these steps can significantly reduce the causes of colic in babies.

When Should Parents Be Concerned?

Although colic is often considered normal, there are situations that require closer attention. If your baby continues crying nonstop, refuses to feed, or appears to be in pain, further evaluation may be necessary.

In situations like this, it is important to determine whether there are more serious causes of colic in babies that require medical attention.

From Exhausting Nights to More Peaceful Moments

Colic is not a condition that parents simply have to accept without solutions. Many causes of colic in babies can actually be prevented by improving small things, especially during the feeding process.

With the right approach, including the use of a supportive feeding system, a baby’s comfort can improve significantly. When babies feel more comfortable, their sleep quality improves, and parents can go through their days more peacefully.

In the end, understanding the causes of colic in babies not only helps solve the problem, but also creates a more positive and enjoyable feeding experience for the whole family.

Make sure your baby enjoys a comfortable feeding experience with products from Hegen, available at the Official Hegen Indonesia Store!