Is your baby extremely upset and crying for extended periods? Many parents often find it challenging to identify whether a baby has colic, reflux or even gas. However, there are distinct differences between these conditions.
What is reflux?
Simply put, reflux occurs when stomach contents flow back into the oesophagus, the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. This happens because the valve at the bottom of the oesophagus, called the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES), is not fully developed yet.
Reflux usually starts before a baby is eight weeks old and resolves around one year old.
What are the symptoms of reflux?
Reflux is common in babies and symptoms include:
- Spitting up milk or vomiting during or soon after feeding
- Coughing or hiccupping while feeding
- Being fussy or uncomfortable during feeding
- Swallowing or gulping after burping or feeding
- Crying and being difficult to soothe
- Not gaining weight
What is silent reflux?
Silent reflux, also known as laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), occurs when stomach acid flows back into the oesophagus and irritates the throat.
Unlike typical reflux, it doesn’t always cause heartburn or outward symptoms. Babies may exhibit signs of reflux without vomiting or spitting up milk.
What are the symptoms of silent reflux?
Silent reflux can be frustrating for parents because the baby may be fussy and uncomfortable, but there's no visible sign of reflux. However, here are some things to look out for:
- Frequent coughing or hiccuping
- Irritability or fussiness during feeding
- Arching back during or after feeding
- Crying without apparent reason
- Poor weight gain
- Trouble sleeping or frequent waking
How to help a baby with silent reflux
- If needed, seek advice and support from a health professional who may help you with the best breastfeeding positions or bottle-feeding techniques for your baby
- Keep your baby upright during feeding and for as long as possible afterwards
- Regularly burp your baby during feeds
- Offer smaller, more frequent feeds to formula-fed babies
What is colic?
These crying episodes typically last for three or more hours a day, three or more days a week, and continue for at least three weeks.
Symptoms usually peak when the baby is around six weeks old and tend to decrease significantly by three or four months of age.
What are the symptoms of colic?
- Prolonged episodes of crying, especially at night
- Legs pulled up to the stomach
- Flushed face
- Clenched hands
- Wrinkled brow
How to help a baby with colic
Managing and soothing a colicky baby can be challenging; it’s essential to seek professional advice when needed and prioritise self-care. Here are a few other things that may also help:
- Comfort and cuddle your baby during periods of intense crying
- Consider probiotics with bacterial strains clinically proven to ease symptoms of colic
- Sit or hold your baby upright during feeding to minimise air swallowing
- Burp your baby after feeding sessions
- Gently rock your baby against your shoulder for soothing
Reflux, silent reflux and colic are all temporary conditions, and most babies outgrow them as they mature. So, hang in there—you’re doing an amazing job!
Remember, parenting can be challenging, but you’re not alone. Seek support from loved ones, take care of yourself and consult a healthcare professional when needed.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/silent-reflux
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/reflux-in-babies/
Zeevenhooven, J., Browne, P.D., L’Hoir, M.P. et al. Infant colic: mechanisms and management. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 15, 479–496 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41575-018-0008-7
Carolina de Weerth, Susana Fuentes, Philippe Puylaert, Willem M. de Vos; Intestinal Microbiota of Infants With Colic: Development and Specific Signatures. Pediatrics February 2013; 131 (2): e550–e558. 10.1542/peds.2012-1449
*The advice in this article is for information only and should not replace medical care. Please check with your GP or healthcare professional before trying any supplements, treatments or remedies. Food supplements must not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
