What is the Difference Between Colic and Constipation?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Colic and constipation are two different digestive conditions that can affect infants:
Colic:
- Frequent crying in a baby that is otherwise healthy.
- Defined as crying for three hours a day, for more than three days a week, and lasting for more than three weeks.
- Common causes include gas in the digestive system, milk allergy, or milk intolerance.
- Symptoms include excessive crying, witching hours, and needing constant stimulation like bouncing, pacifiers, or car rides to relieve discomfort.
- Colic usually resolves by 3-4 months of age.
Constipation:
- Characterized by a feeling of discomfort or difficulty in passing stool.
- Common causes include inadequate dietary fiber intake, dehydration, lack of exercise, changes in routine, large amounts of milk or cheese intake, stress, and resisting the urge to have a bowel movement.
- Symptoms include infrequent or difficult stool passage, pain, large diameter stools, excessive wind, soiling, and discomfort.
- Constipation can be managed by addressing the underlying cause, such as increasing fluid and fiber intake, maintaining a regular routine, and providing gentle stool softeners or laxatives when necessary.
To determine if a baby is experiencing colic or constipation, it is essential to consult a pediatrician to rule out other potential causes and receive appropriate guidance on managing the condition.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Colic and Constipation? Comparative Table: Colic vs Constipation
Comparative Table: Colic vs Constipation
Here is a table comparing the differences between colic and constipation in infants:
Feature | Colic | Constipation |
---|---|---|
Definition | Colic is a digestive condition where babies cry excessively due to gas in their digestive system, milk allergy, or milk intolerance. | Constipation is a digestive condition characterized by a feeling of discomfort or difficulty in passing stool due to inadequate dietary. |
Symptoms | Inconsolable crying for more than three hours a day, for more than three days a week, and lasting longer than three weeks. | Hard, dry, and pellet-like stool or with cracks on the surface, and a frequency of defecation of ≤ 2 times a week. |
Causes | Colic is caused by allergy, intolerance, being sensitive and having trouble adjusting to the world, and inability to calm themselves due to sensitivity to stimulation. | Constipation can be caused by switching between breast milk and formula, the mother's diet in a breastfed baby, or due to an intolerance to milk protein. |
Treatment | There is no specific treatment for colic, but babies usually outgrow it by the time they are 3-4 months old. | Treatment options for constipation in infants may include dietary changes, such as switching formulas or adjusting the mother's diet. |
Remember that if you are concerned about your child's colic or constipation, it is essential to consult with a pediatrician for proper evaluation and management.
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