What Is The Link Between IBS and Colic?

By Shannon Grantham

2 min read

I can’t remember a time in my life when my gut wasn’t something I thought about on a daily basis. Even as a child I learned quickly that I always needed to know where the closest bathroom was and the quickest route to get there. Something a child shouldn’t have to worry about. But for me, this was just my daily life.

Recently we welcomed a new addition to my family. My younger brother and his partner’s daughter was born. She is the sweetest little thing and just perfect. Rarely cries and when she does its always for a reason, whether she is hungry or needs changed, it’s pretty easy to figure out. Having her around has made all of us think back to when we were all small.

Colic as a baby

Me and my sister Amy stopped by our older sister’s house a few days ago just to chit chat. As we were talking about little Arley, Debbie brought up how bad I had colic as a baby. She said I would scream for hours unless I was riding in a car and even then, if they had to stop at a light or stop sign, I would start back up. Yet my younger brother who is only 16 months younger than me rarely cried or made a noise.

The link between colic and IBS

This really made me think. Is there a link between colic and later gut issues. Debbie also said I would scream with belly pain. To me this really makes sense. I know as far back as I can remember I have always had problems with my gut. Can infants have IBS too? Is it something that could have been caught before I was in my 20s? How many others are like me?

My daughter didn’t have colic, but she did have issues with formula. We tried every formula out there and nothing really made a difference. She was constantly spitting up (not just a little bit, projectile style), had to take medication for heart burn (that I only let her take a short time until I saw it was still not helping) and still has small stomach issues today. Today she is lactose intolerant and has mild constipation if we aren’t on top of her drinking plenty of fluids and eating fiber.

What could we do differently?

As parents we are always doing whatever we can to make our babies happy, healthy, and comfortable. For my family it was riding in the car for hours nightly. For me it was finding a formula my daughter could handle. This makes me wonder if colic is something that does truly go away with age, or if it’s a sign of gut issues to come later in life.

For those of us who are now grown with IBS, I wonder if there is something we could have changed or handled differently when we were children that could have given us a different outcome. Obviously, we can’t change that now, but it could be something to investigate for the future generations that are growing up now.

Do you know if you had colic or something similar as an infant? Do you think it could have been a sign of what your future looks like today?

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Karina Moderator & Contributor
That's so interesting! I definitely think that there can be a connection. My second baby was also suffering from terrible reflux, colic etc. We didn't sleep for months and were carrying him around in a wrap all night long instead. Doctors just dismissed us, but we ended up figuring out that he had food sensitivities as well as oral dysfunction. Once we addressed that, he got better almost overnight and the food sensitivities are all gone now that he's almost 1. But I'm still wondering if things like that can just damage the digestive system for good. I've also read that antibiotic use during pregnancy and labor can impact the baby's gut, as I had to have antibiotics during labor because of a fever. I just hope that he won't grow up to have IBS. 🙁 Karina (team member)
1. Sam Costa Member
 <inline-mention username="Karina" user-id="2303467"/> Fingers crossed he does not wind up in the IBS club like us. But, if he does, he's got a great parent who can show him how to manage it. Thinking of you! - Sam, IBS Team 
2. Karina Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Sam Costa" user-id="2329222"/> Thank you! 😀
mrsmediauph Member
Wow! This makes so much sense and 100% is how my life has been! I am 60 years old. My mom told me that I cried the first 3 months of my life. I have a twin brother who never cried as a baby and had no stomach issues. My entire childhood I can remember having diarrhea all the time! My IBS seemed to get somewhat under control around 20 years ago. I got Covid in April 2022 and that sent my IBS into full force! I am slightly better but I am currently taking 1 Imodium every night before I go to bed. This condition really is so debilitating and life altering. 🙁
1. Elizabeth Alvarez Moderator & Contributor
 I'm sorry you are dealing with these symptoms. Covid also exasperated my IBS. Thankfully it is back to being under control. Are you on any treatment to help your symptoms other than the Imodium. Any supplements or diet? -Elizabeth (team member)
DEATHDARKBITCH Member
 I had whooping cough as a child and I am convinced that is where my IBS started. Then every time I got stressed out and upset I would get a "bad stomach" Then I got my tubes tied and then the s**t hit the fan. Then I got diagnosed with IBS, GERD and Hiatal Hernia and the Dr's just gaslight me. Then people wonder why I'm a monster. No one apologised to me for making me one. 
1. Karina Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="DEATHDARKBITCH" user-id="4250368"/> That's terrible, I'm so sorry. I also had a "bad stomach" growing up, but I would mostly get nauseous and throw up every time I was really nervous and stressed. How are you feeling today? Karina (team member)
ChroniKat Member
<inline-mention username="Karina" user-id="2303467"/> , like your daughter, I had issues with formula as a baby, but those were "the good old days" when alternatives weren't discussed. I had the projectile vomiting, and my dad had to walk me up and down the hall to comfort me before going to his 2nd shift job. Later, as a child, I often had nausea and stomach issues after breakfast (which usually included milk), and often had carsickness in the mornings. In hindsight, I was definitely lactose intolerant even in those days. Everyone then was always told how good cow's milk was for kids, and most formulas were cow's milk as well. No doctor ever suggested that I might be lactose intolerant, and my parents didn't recognize the signs, having no experience with those issues themselves. Yep, those childhood experiences sure were a sign of what was to come with me. It seems like today's kids have more of a chance, with digestive issues being more in the forefront than when I was young.
1. Karina Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="ChroniKat" user-id="4134856"/> It's so frustrating when issues like that get ignored by doctors, and then they create ongoing problems later in life. 🙁 I saw a dietitian for my baby's problems and she explained that for babies, it's often more of an allergy to cow's milk (a non IgE allergy it was, if I remember correctly) than a lactose intolerance, which would explain why breastmilk was fine. She also told me that continuing to expose the immune system to cow's milk made it less likely that the allergy would go away. I'm not sure if that's correct, but it sure would explain why it can persist later in life. Do you feel better when you avoid dairy products altogether? Karina (team member)
2. Njf0618 Member
 <inline-mention username="ChroniKat" user-id="4134856"/> you’re right no one even discussed all the issues like this when we were kids - I’m 67 now.
explodingguts Member
Never had colic as a baby tho sibling did, but she has no digestive issues. Her trouble is immune system. My pop had a 'nervous' stomach that made him vomit at home whenever work made him nervous (govt lawyer). It also precluded 'spicy' food - anything with garlic. I had bladder trouble as a kid that made me need the bathroom more than jail school teachers wanted to permit so I, too, had to be very aware of toilet location. My grandad was the same. Yes, I think these issues are inherited. I also feel connect btwn my old bladder trouble - teacher trouble, really - and my IBS-D. I also think a parent's mental approach to life can be learned and if debilitating unlearned and replaced with an approach that better gets you where you need to go. Useful to make these connections. If we know how we got here. We may be able to figure out a way out. 
1. Elizabeth Alvarez Moderator & Contributor
 Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I believe it can absolutely be inherited. So interesting hearing everyones stories. -Elizabeth (team member)
2. Njf0618 Member
 <inline-mention username="explodingguts" user-id="2321200"/> when I think back I remember my Dad definitely had issues and I think his Dad did too. Likely my Grandmother as well but you didn’t discuss those things….I’m so glad that is changing and we can be honest about our bodies and bodily functions
hateibs Member
I used to sometimes get what my mother called "colic" when I was a child. I knew nothing then, and IBS wasn't heard of. But my Mama used to give me hot boiled water with a couple of drops of food grade peppermint oil. I don't recall that not curing it. I think it did quite quickly. The colic was like sharp pains all over my tummy, everywhere. I don't know if this is related, but when I was born, my mother found out after a couple of days that she wasn't producing milk, and the midwife said that I was actually beginning to starve. I was put on the 1950s version of infant formula milk a.s.a.p. 
1. Elizabeth Alvarez Moderator & Contributor
 My gosh, you went through a lot when you were a baby. It's so interesting to hear everyones story. I was never breastfed. I was always given formula and I've even heard that can cause gut issues later in life. -Elizabeth (team member)
hateibs Member
<inline-mention username="Elizabeth Alvarez" user-id="2297012"/> Well, it's okay Elizabeth, because I was lucky enough to have a good gut through all my adult years, right up until about 3 - 4years ago, so I certainly always loved food and made up for those first two hungry days of life a thousand times over! haha Luckily I always stayed slim though. I didn't know being raised in the early months on formula milk could cause gut problems later in life. That's interesting. Thank you for that info. I hadn't thought about it before.
1. Elizabeth Alvarez Moderator & Contributor
 Yes, so I've heard from the holisitc world. But then again, I guess it depends who you ask haha. -Elizabeth (team member)
2. Karina Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="hateibs" user-id="4146293"/> I've heard that, too, but more in a sense that breastmilk can decrease the probability of developing some of these issues, instead of formula causing it. I don't know if that's true though, it's just something I read somewhere. However, I also heard that antibiotic use for children can increase the probability of developing IBD later in life and that stresses me out so much whenever my children are sick and might need antibiotics. Karina (team member)
hateibs Member
<inline-mention username="Karina" user-id="2303467"/> I was given antibiotics (penicillin) a number of times as a child in the 1950s. I had all the childhood diseases, mumps, measles, German measles, plus an abscess on my foot and one on my leg, and one tooth infection, so recall this pink raspberry flavoured medicine that had to be kept in the fridge. I probably had to take it about six times during childhood. It was a "wonder drug" then, and a lifesaver, and my mother spoke highly of antibiotics! Probiotics were unknown as far as I was aware. So no one was given probiotics to counter the possible gut effects of the antibiotics. Yet during my adulthood, for at least 50 years I had a very strong gut. That was one of my strongest things: Cast iron gut, and could eat anything. I never even got indigestion or any tummy bug. I ate a fantastic healthy diet and had done for many years. It was a way of life. So imagine my surprise when I started with IBS age 66 -67. The doctor ruled out any inflammatory condition after the tests he ran. I was diagnosed with IBS. And it's always behaved like IBS since. It hasn't changed (except perhaps in the last 1o months/1 year become slightly better than it had been?) To be honest I think it was brought on my my response to years of grieving. But IBD or any other inflammation was ruled out. So, be wary about antibiotics especially as they are not the same as they used to be (what is?) And I do whatever is in my ability to completely avoid them now. I use herbal medicines mostly. But I wouldn't be too scared for your children if they get so unwell that they need an antibiotic course.
1. Karina Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="hateibs" user-id="4146293"/> Thank you so much for your comment. You're right, I shouldn't worry so much if they need antibiotics once in a while. We always try to avoid them whenever possible anyway, as doctors in France prescribe them for every cold. I also got into herbal medicine recently to try and treat as many things as possible at home. How did you learn about herbal medicine and what to use for different illnesses? Karina (team member)
hateibs Member
 <inline-mention username="Karina" user-id="2303467"/> The good thing now is that after antibiotics, we at least have some good probiotics to take. I became interested in herbal medicine in 1980, and studied it. Not officially, but just on my own. I discovered which herbs worked by usually experimenting on myself if I got any ailment. My husband was also interested so I experimented on him ! haha....fortunately with good results! I used the Western Herbal Tradition. I would have liked to qualify as a herbalist, but the school was many miles away, and I and my husband were working full time at our book business, so that wouldn't have worked out. It wasn't a big enough business for us to employ someone while I took time out. I expected herbal medicine to cure me of IBS, but they didn't. That surprised me as it had cured me of many things. But there are herbs which definitely help symptoms. 
1. hateibs Member
 <inline-mention username="Karina" user-id="2303467"/> I have found these herbs helpful. Some are easy to buy even in supermarkets, and some would need to be bought from a herbal shop. Reminder...I have IBS-D predominantly so herbs mentioned have helped me with that -not constipation: Meadowsweet Tormentil root Blackberry leaves Gentian Marshmallow root Peppermint and Spearmint Fennel seed Camomile Ginger root.
2. Karina Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="hateibs" user-id="4146293"/> Thank you so much! I just added a couple of those to my cart to try them out (we don't have herbal shops where I live so I have to order everything). I also have IBS-D without constipation, and I already use fennel, camomile, ginger and peppermint so I hope the others will work for me too. Karina (team member)
CaseyJ7 Member
Good thought. I supposedly had colic when I was an infant (tho my mother insists I cried on purpose cuz I "hated" her). That also gives you another clue. I think kids with unloving, cold mothers may have issues with gut problems, too. Anything that causes stress and fear when we're young may cause gut issues, I think.
1. Elizabeth Alvarez Moderator & Contributor
 This is heartbreaking. And yes, I agree with you. The body holds onto trauma and hurt in many ways and it can manifest physically. How have you been feeling lately? I hope you are doing okay and having minimal symptoms. Best, Elizabeth (team member)
CaseyJ7 Member
Hi - I guzzle Pepto Bismol all day and still have watery runs 4-5 times a day. Fiber, sugar, caffeine, fat and alcohol all make it worse. My diet is pretty much limited to white stuff: rice, chicken, white bread, potatoes, etc. Gets VERY boring. I used to be a vegan, and now I can't eat any veggies or fruit. I am going to be 75 this year and for the first few decades of my adult life I had the constipation kind of IBS... no matter how much fiber I ate... and I ate a LOT being a vegan... I only had little rabbit turd poops. Then I pushed so hard I got a rectocele. About twelve years ago it turned to watery runs. NO FAIR!
1. CaseyJ7 Member
 <inline-mention username="Elizabeth Alvarez" user-id="2297012"/> thank you for your reply. I have consulted my dietitian through my health Team and also a private nutritional expert and none of them, including my doctor, has helped me. I even paid to consult with an Ayurvedic Specialist for several sessions, but her suggestions made things worse. Over the 12 years I've been dealing with this, the only thing that helped was oral steroids, but the side effects were intolerable. I have had to just use trial and error. I used to worry about my husband's health because he never ate fruits or veggies, and now I'm the one. Unfortunately, sweets and refined carbs do not cause pain and bloating, so I indulge my sugar addiction. Not good. 
2. Karina Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="CaseyJ7" user-id="4535889"/> I'm sorry that nothing you tried has been helping. Have you seen a naturopath as well? Eating healthy with IBS is really hard, I feel you. I used to worry about not being able to eat enough veggies, but now I just focus on eating enough protein from various sources. Going gluten-free also helped me a lot, I don't know if you've tried that? Karina (team member)
Njf0618 Member
I remember my younger brother spit up a lot and I just thought that’s what babies do until I knew about others where it was a much rarer occurrence. Figured my Mom likely kept us well fed but not sure that was the issue. I don’t know if gut issues since being a kid is part of it or not - interesting reading - I don’t really remember when I started having major issues - seems like in my mid 20’s - unfortunately my Moms no longer alive to ask but maybe some people will think and ask if they have multi generations to ask
Njf0618 Member
After reading lots of comments I found it interesting about the formula and cows milk. We kids are all 50-70 years old now and Mom couldn’t nurse so we all were raised on formula. 3 out of 5 have major gut issues and one we don’t hear from much so only my sister seems to be fairly regular and without any major issues. I found it really interesting to read all the comments. Would love to be able to ask my Mom about our history as babies. Hope those of you that are younger and still have your Mom around to ask do so
CommunityMember951d4a Member
I definitely had colic, projectile style vomiting and spent most of my life knowing exactly where the closest bathroom was. But I’ve also got motion sickness so bring in a car made it worse. When my first was born and she had colic, the doctors wouldn’t listen to my concerns, that her crying for hours was normal. The second also had colic and heartburn and reflux. But by then, the internet had come along and I no longer listened to those gps, but went straight to the specialists. Both my daughters have milk intolerance and life time ibs related issues. 
1. Kelly Dabel, RD Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMember951d4a" user-id="6719089"/> Wow, thanks for sharing your story. Glad you were able to advocate for your daughters to get the help they needed. Wishing you all the best, Kelly, <a href='http://Irritablebowelsyndrome.net' target='_blank'>Irritablebowelsyndrome.net</a> Team Member