In breastfed infants , evidence suggests that a hypoallergenic maternal diet may be beneficial for reducing symptoms of colic .
In formula-fed infants , colic may improve after changing from a st and ard cow ’s milk formula to either a hydrolysed protein formula or a soy-based formula .
Fibre-supplemented formulae had no effect .
Infantile colic , the cause of 10–20 % of all early paediatrician visits , can lead to parental exhaustion and stress .
A systematic review was conducted to examine whether dietary change provides an effective therapy for  infantile colic .
Evaluation of the effect of a fiber-enriched formula on infant colic.
Because infants with colic appear to have  abdominal pain  similar to that of adults with irritable bowel syndrome , who may benefit from the addition of fiber to their diet , we tested whether fiber added to infant formula would alleviate colic .  Twenty-seven normal , term infants ( aged 2 to 8 weeks ; 14 girls ) with colic , defined as crying plus fussing for more than 3 hours a day for at least 3 days of a 6-day baseline period , were enrolled . Infants were r and omly assigned in 9-day periods to a sequence of placebo ( Isomil formula ) followed by fiber-supplemented formula ( Isomil plus soy polysaccharide ) ( n = 12 ) or the reverse ( n = 15 ) . Daily diaries of crying , fussing , sleeping , formula , intake , and stooling were kept . Twenty-two infants completed three lactulose breath hydrogen tests at the end of the baseline period and after each study period . The crossover trial was followed by 30 to 35 days of use of the study formula chosen by the parents as most beneficial but unknown to the investigators . Growth was monitored throughout . Serum cholesterol , calcium , phosphate , albumin , iron , and zinc concentrations were measured at the conclusion . There were no significant differences in average daily time spent by the infants in fussing and crying during ingestion of the fiber-supplemented formula . However , parents of 18 of 27 infants chose fiber-supplemented formula as most beneficial in ameliorating symptoms of colic . While the infants were consuming fiber-supplemented formula , stool frequency increased , and breath hydrogen excretion increased significantly , in response to lactulose . Growth and serum biochemical measurements were normal in all infants . Supplementation of infant formula with the level of soy polysaccharide used in this study may have reduced crying and fussing in some infants but did not affect colicky behavior in the majority of infants , who continued to cry and fuss excessively
In breastfed infants , evidence suggests that a hypoallergenic maternal diet may be beneficial for reducing symptoms of colic .
In formula-fed infants , colic may improve after changing from a st and ard cow ’s milk formula to either a hydrolysed protein formula or a soy-based formula .
Fibre-supplemented formulae had no effect .
Infantile colic , the cause of 10–20 % of all early paediatrician visits , can lead to parental exhaustion and stress .
A systematic review was conducted to examine whether dietary change provides an effective therapy for  infantile colic .