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Ayurveda describes colic, known as Udarshoola, as pain in and around the navel, often associated with constipation. It is primarily attributed to the aggravation of Vata dosha and a low or underdeveloped digestive fire (Agni) in infants. The baby's digestive system is directly impacted by the nursing mother's diet and lifestyle, where imbalances can lead to gas, bloating, and discomfort.
Common symptoms
Intense bouts of crying, often described as screaming or expressions of pain.
Crying spells that frequently start in the late afternoon or evening and can last for several hours.
Baby's face becoming red and flushed while crying.
Clenching fists, drawing knees up to the tummy, or arching the back.
Refusal to feed during crying episodes.
Stomach appearing distended or having rumbling sounds.
Frequent burping or gaseousness, often a result of swallowing air while crying.
Restlessness and difficulty to soothe.
Possible causes
Aggravation of Vata dosha, which governs movement and is responsible for pain and gas.
Low or Mand Agni (digestive fire) in infants, leading to improper digestion of food consumed by the mother or formula.
Improper feeding techniques leading to aerophagia (swallowing excess air).
Mother's diet and lifestyle, where imbalances from cold, heavy, processed, or incompatible foods, or Vata-aggravating foods (e.g., cabbage, beans, onions, caffeine, excessive milk products), can pass through breast milk and cause discomfort in the baby.
Stanya Dushti (impurities or imbalances in breast milk) due to the mother's diet, lifestyle, or emotional state.
Immature digestive system of the baby, leading to muscle spasms.
Overstimulated nervous system in the baby, which is also a seat of Vata.
Food allergies or sensitivities (e.g., to cow's milk proteins or lactose intolerance in formula-fed babies, or specific foods in the mother's diet).
Medical treatment
**For the Baby:**
**Abhyanga (Oil Massage)**: Gentle abdominal massage with warm sesame oil, coconut oil, or medicated oils like Bala-infused oil, in a clockwise direction to promote digestion, relieve gas, and calm Vata.
**Warm Compress**: Applying a warm cloth or a warm (not hot) dry-roasted ajmoda (celery seeds) wrapped in muslin cloth on the baby's tummy to relax tightness and ease discomfort.
**Herbal Remedies (External/Internal with caution)**: Hing (asafoetida) paste mixed with warm water and applied externally around the navel area. Decoction of Saunf (fennel) to relieve gas (mother can drink, or a few drops can be given to the baby after consulting an Ayurvedic specialist). Homemade gripe water with fennel, coriander, and ginger (consult healthcare provider before internal administration to infants). Herbal roll-ons with Hing, Saunf, Sowa, Adrakh, Dhan, and Pudina for external application around the navel.
**Burping**: Ensure the baby is burped after every feeding to expel ingested air.
**Leg Exercises**: Gently flexing the baby's legs towards the abdomen.
**Soothing Techniques**: Rhythmic rocking, singing, offering a pacifier, warm baths, snug wrapping, and creating a calm environment with minimal stimuli.
**Feeding Posture**: Sit the baby upright during feeds to reduce air swallowing.
**For the Breastfeeding Mother (Stanya Shodhana - purification of breast milk):**
**Dietary Adjustments**: Prioritize warm, freshly cooked, easy-to-digest, nourishing foods like soups, stews, kitchari, and cooked vegetables.
**Avoid Vata-aggravating foods**: Limit cold, raw, heavy, processed, fried, and gas-producing foods such as cabbage, cauliflower, beans, onions, broccoli, potatoes, hard cheese, red meat, caffeine, and excessive milk products.
**Include Digestive Spices**: Use fennel, cinnamon, fenugreek, cumin, and ginger in meals to balance digestion and reduce gas for both mother and baby.
**Herbal Teas**: Sip on fennel, chamomile, and ginger teas.
**Hydration**: Consume adequate amounts of warm water.
**Stress Reduction**: Avoid anxiety and stress, as the mother's emotional state can impact breast milk. Practices like Pranayam (alternate nostril breathing) can help.
**Internal Ayurvedic Formulations (under expert guidance)**: Draksharishta, Drakshadi kashaya, Jeerakarishta, Dashamoolarishta, and Haritaki Khanda for Amapachana (digestion of toxins), Agnideepana (kindling digestive fire), Vatanulomana (regulating Vata), and Stanyashodhana (purifying breast milk). Shatavari Lehya/Guda for Stanyavardhana (increasing breast milk).
Ayurvedic perspective
In Ayurveda, colic, particularly infantile colic, is primarily understood as a condition arising from the vitiation or aggravation of Vata dosha, which governs movement and the nervous system. This imbalance leads to disruptions in the digestive system, causing spasmodic pain and gas. Infants are considered to have a low digestive fire (Mand Agni) and developing body tissues (dhatu), making their digestive system immature and prone to discomfort from foods consumed by the mother (if breastfeeding) or formula. Factors contributing to colic include swallowed gas during feeding (aerophagia), an immature digestive system leading to muscle spasms, hormonal changes, and sensitivity to external stimuli like light and noise. The mother's diet and lifestyle directly impact the baby's digestive health, with cold, heavy, or processed foods potentially leading to gas and bloating in the infant. Ayurvedic texts also describe 'Ksheeradushti,' where the quality of breast milk is altered due to the mother's diet, emotions, or lifestyle, with Vataja Ksheeradushti resulting in thin, frothy milk that can cause colic or constipation in the baby.
Ayurvedic dietary guidelines
For breastfeeding mothers, prioritize warm, easy-to-digest, cooked, spiced, and nourishing foods such as soups, stews, and kitchari.
Include digestive spices like fennel, cinnamon, fenugreek, cumin, and ginger in the mother's diet to balance digestion and reduce gas and bloating for the baby through breast milk.
Avoid 'cold and raw' foods, including cold drinks, salads, and uncooked foods, as they can weaken the mother's digestion postpartum.
Mothers should avoid heavy-to-digest and gas-producing foods such as potatoes, nightshades, cabbage, hard cheese, red meat, beans, excessive milk products, caffeine, onions, and broccoli.
Consume fresh fruits, boiled vegetables, and vegetable soup.
Ensure adequate water intake for the mother.
For formula-fed infants, a change in formula brand may help ease colic.
After a colic episode, a light, watery diet may be recommended for the baby.
Space out infant feedings for at least 2-3 hours to allow for proper digestion and prevent snacking.
Hingvastaka Churna — Classical Ayurvedic medicinal herb
Lasunadi Vati — Classical Ayurvedic medicinal herb
Shankha Bhashma — Classical Ayurvedic medicinal herb
Mahashankha Vati — Classical Ayurvedic medicinal herb
Abharaka Bhasma — Classical Ayurvedic medicinal herb
Bonnisan Liquid — Classical Ayurvedic medicinal herb
Ajamodarka — Classical Ayurvedic medicinal herb
Traditional home remedies
Baby Abhyanga (Oil Massage)
Warm Compress
Hing (Asafoetida) Paste
Homemade Gripe Water / Herbal Teas
Ajwain (Bishop's Weed) Application
Ghee or Coconut Oil on Nipple
Yoga asanas
Gentle Tummy Massage (Abhyanga)
Bicycle Kicks
Knees to Chest (Wind-Removing Pose)
Toes to Nose
Bakasana (Soles of Feet Together)
Tiger in the Tree Hold
Dosha imbalance
Vata
Lifestyle tips
Ensure correct feeding techniques to reduce gas ingestion.
Burp the baby after every feeding to expel excess air.
The mother should manage stress and anxiety, as babies are sensitive to parental emotional states. Practices like Anuloma Viloma Pranayama, listening to relaxing music, or chanting mantras can be beneficial.
Soothe the baby with rhythmic, steady movements like gentle rocking.
Give the baby warm baths to help ease colic.
Create a calm and quiet environment for the baby, reducing excessive stimuli such as loud sounds or too much visual input.
Swaddle the baby tightly to help calm Vata dosha.
Keep the baby warm and protected from sudden temperature changes.
Ensure the baby's head and ears are covered, especially when going outside.
Maintain exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, ensuring proper latching techniques and comfortable feeding positions.
Avoid allowing the baby to snack or nibble throughout the day; instead, space out feeds to ensure full digestion.
If using formula, ensure a slow-flow nipple to prevent the baby from gulping air.
Keep the baby in an upright position for some time after feeding.
Perform gentle leg exercises with the baby daily, which can aid in gas release.
