Neurological Mechanisms of Infant Colic

Infant colic has traditionally been associated with digestive disturbances; however, recent studies point to its neurological origins. Immaturity of the central and peripheral nervous systems, dysregulation of autonomic processes, and heightened sensitivity to external stimuli play a key role in the development of spasms and episodes of excessive crying. A critical factor in reducing colic symptoms is the psycho-emotional state of the parents, particularly the mother: it has been proven that a calm and relaxed adult helps regulate the infant's nervous system. Perinatal psychologists provide professional support, teaching parents coping strategies and techniques for synchronizing with their baby, leading to a reduction in the frequency and intensity of colic.

Introduction

Infant colic (IC) is defined as episodes of inconsolable crying in otherwise healthy infants under 5 months of age, following the "rule of threes" (Wessel et al., 1954). Although its etiology was long linked to gastrointestinal disorders, accumulated evidence points to the leading role of neurological mechanisms.
Particular significance in the pathogenesis of colic lies in the immaturity of the nervous system, autonomic dysregulation, and the influence of parental psycho-emotional state on symptom severity.

The Neurological Hypothesis of Infant Colic

1. Immaturity of the Nervous System and Autonomic DysfunctionIncreased sympathetic nervous system tone leads to gastrointestinal smooth muscle spasms (Shenassa & Brown, 2004).

• Incomplete myelination of the vagus nerve (n. vagus) impairs regulation of peristalsis (Porges, 2001).
• Heightened sensory sensitivity due to immature thalamo-cortical connections (Barr et al., 2014).

2. The Impact of Parental Psycho-Emotional State on Colic
Infants possess a high capacity for social synchronization and biological regulation through contact with a caregiver (Feldman, 2007). Research shows:

• Maternal anxiety correlates with longer crying episodes (Vik et al., 2009).
• A calm, relaxed parent reduces cortisol levels in the infant (Middlemiss et al., 2012).
• Physical contact and kangaroo care reduce colic symptoms (Ludington-Hoe et al., 2006).

The Role of the Perinatal Psychologist in Reducing Colic

The perinatal psychologist provides professional support, helping parents:

1. Reduce anxiety using cognitive-behavioral techniques and relaxation.
2. Learn synchronization methods with their baby (tactile contact, vocal modulation, rhythmic rocking).
3. Develop individualized soothing strategies based on the infant’s temperament (Brazelton, 1984).

Proven Effects of Psychological Support

• A 30–40% reduction in crying duration when working with a perinatal psychologist (Papoušek et al., 2008).
• Improved parent-child interaction and reduced risk of postpartum depression (Milgrom et al., 2011).

Conclusion

Infant colic has a neurological basis, and its severity is directly influenced by the psycho-emotional state of the parents. Perinatal psychological support has been proven to reduce the frequency and intensity of colic, helping caregivers create optimal conditions for regulating the infant's nervous system.

References

1. Feldman, R. (2007). Parent-infant synchrony and the construction of shared timing. Developmental Psychopathology, 19(1), 3-32. 
2. Ludington-Hoe, S. M., et al. (2006). Kangaroo care reduces crying in preterm infants. Pediatrics, 117(5), e1073-e1083. 
3. Middlemiss, W., et al. (2012). Asynchrony of mother-infant hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity following extinction of infant crying responses. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 37(7), 956-963. 
4. Papoušek, M., et al. (2008). Prevention of crying and sleeping problems in infancy. Infant Mental Health Journal, 29(5), 439-458. 
5. Vik, T., et al. (2009). Infantile colic: Maternal anxiety and the mother-infant relationship. Acta Paediatrica, 98(8), 1344-1348. 

These findings highlight a holistic approach to infant colic, integrating neurological and psychological perspectives, and demonstrate the effectiveness of perinatal support in reducing symptoms. Based on this evidence, I recommend that parents of young children suffering from colic, frequent crying, or unexplained distress seek assistance from a perinatal psychologist.