Domain | Outcome measure | Total, n (%) |
Behaviour (of infant) | Comfortable/happy baby Better infant sleep Good/more appetite Less irritable/nervous Child can be soothed Breastfeeds normally Acts normally between crying Stops crying on intervention (abdomen massaged, probiotic) Improved overall condition of child Better rhythm throughout the day | 20 (36) 18 (33) 14 (25) 6 (11) 4 (7) 4 (7) 2 (4) 2 (4) 2 (4) 1 (2) |
Symptoms | No or less crying No or less pain Resolution of complaints No other symptoms: fever | 18 (33) 6 (11) 3 (5) 1 (2) |
Gastrointestinal complaints | No other gastrointestinal symptoms (eg, diarrhoea, vomiting, bloating, abdominal pain/cramps and tight belly) Normal stools Easy gas passage (no need to use anal catheter) Colic does not last for long | 8 (15) 5 (9) 3 (5) 1 (2) |
Family dynamics | Improvement in mother–infant relationship Improved quality of life Rest | 3 (5) 3 (5) 3 (5) |
Parents | Family sleep Received concrete guidelines from doctor how to act if abdominal pain Acknowledgement of difficult situation No longer feeling powerless Reassurance there is nothing wrong physically | 1 (2) 1 (2) 1 (2) 1 (2) 1 (2) |
Medication | Good response to medication Comfortable if the medicine is natural (herbal, etc) | 1 (2) 1 (2) |
Growth | Weight gain | 1 (2) |
Other | Infant improves on intervention (eg, probiotic drops use, warm towel on abdomen and massage) Confirmation that something is wrong/of infant colic Finding a cause Improved development, being able to contact my baby I don’t believe in colic treatment | 6 (11) 2 (4) 1 (2) 1 (2) 1 (2) |