🌪️ Colic and Reflux in Infants: Understanding and Soothing

Your baby’s inconsolable crying after feeding, their tummy hardening, or those endless spit-ups that ruin every t-shirt… sound familiar? 😅 You’re not alone—many babies go through colic and reflux in their first months of life. Don’t panic: it’s common, and above all, temporary.

🤔 What are infant colic?

Colic shows up as intense crying, often in the late afternoon or evening 🌙, along with signs like:

• a hard, bloated tummy,

• legs pulled up toward the belly,

• baby squirming and looking uncomfortable.

👉 Colic usually begins around 2–3 weeks, peaks around 6–8 weeks, and gradually disappears by 3–4 months.

🔄 And what about reflux?

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) happens when stomach contents flow back into the esophagus, because baby’s digestive valve isn’t fully mature yet.

Two forms exist:

• Simple reflux (most common): painless spit-ups, baby smiles and continues gaining weight.

• Pathological reflux (rarer): pain, crying during or after feeds, refusing to nurse, slowed or stalled weight gain.

👉 In most cases, reflux is harmless and improves with time, usually between 6–12 months.

🌱 What causes colic and reflux?

• Immature digestive system 🍼

• Air swallowed while feeding 💨

• Spending a lot of time lying flat

• Developing nervous system (for colic)

In short—it’s not due to a “bad diet” or your breast milk. This is not your fault 💖.

💡 How to soothe your baby

For colic:

• Carry your baby in a sling or against you 🤱

• Gently massage their tummy in circular motions 🤲

• Move their legs like cycling 🚲

• Enjoy skin-to-skin contact to calm them 💕

For simple reflux:

• Keep baby upright for 15–20 minutes after feeding

• Offer smaller, more frequent feeds if needed

• Avoid tight diapers or clothing

• Slightly incline the mattress (with medical advice)

🚨 When to consult a doctor

Seek medical advice if your baby:

• refuses to feed,

• isn’t gaining or is losing weight,

• vomits forcefully,

• has blood in stools or spit-up,

• has persistent intense crying despite comfort measures.