Is it Colic or Reflux?

Understanding the Difference Between Colic and Reflux

Parenthood is a journey filled with joy, laughter, and moments that take your breath away. But it can also bring challenges, leaving you searching for answers and solutions. Two common concerns that you may encounter are colic and reflux. While these conditions can share some overlapping symptoms, they are distinct and require different approaches for soothing your precious little one.

Colic: The Mystery of Unexplained Crying

Colic often feels like an enigma wrapped in a baby blanket. It’s typically characterised by excessive crying, fussiness, and irritability, primarily in the late afternoon and evening. The crying episodes can be intense, and they often leave parents feeling helpless and exhausted. Colic usually begins around two weeks of age and can last until around three to four months.

Common Signs of Colic:

• Intense, unexplained crying for at least three hours a day, three days a week.
• Crying occurs primarily in the late afternoon and evening.
• The baby may arch their back, clench their fists, and appear to be in discomfort.
• Feeding and changing diapers don’t always alleviate the crying.

Colic and the Search for Circadian Rhythm:

If you are navigating the challenging world of colic, it is important to know you will encounter another intriguing development – the gradual emergence of their baby’s circadian rhythm. While colic disrupts sleep and schedules, it’s heartening to know that around the third month, most babies begin to establish a more predictable sleep-wake cycle. This natural circadian rhythm helps you to anticipate when those precious moments of tranquility and rest will occur. It’s a reassuring reminder that as you support your little one through the colicky nights, you’re also witnessing the fascinating journey of their internal body clock taking shape. With time, patience, and the unyielding bond you share, both colic and the quest for a sleep routine become cherished chapters in your parenting story. Gentle techniques such as massage, swaddling, dancing & use of a baby carrier can support you through these few weeks.

Reflux: The Ups and Downs of Digestive Discomfort

Reflux, on the other hand, is often associated with gastrointestinal discomfort. It happens when the contents of the baby’s stomach flow back into the esophagus, causing regurgitation, spitting up, and sometimes discomfort. Reflux can occur at any time but is more likely during or after feeds. It typically begins in the first few weeks of life and may improve as the baby’s digestive system matures.

Common Signs of Reflux:

• Frequent spitting up or regurgitation after feeds.
• Irritability and discomfort, especially during or after feeds.
• Arching the back and showing signs of pain or discomfort.
• Difficulty sleeping, particularly when lying flat.

So, How Can You Tell the Difference?

While colic and reflux can both result in fussy and distressed babies, there are key distinctions to help you differentiate between the two. Colic is primarily characterised by excessive crying and occurs at predictable times, usually in the evening. Reflux, on the other hand, is often linked to discomfort related to feeding and regurgitation. It may also involve back arching and issues with sleeping, there could be birth trauma, misalignment in the body and other symptoms at play.

Supporting Your Baby Through Colic and Reflux

Dealing with colic and reflux can be challenging, but there are several strategies that can help:

• Colic: Try soothing techniques such as swaddling, gentle rocking, and using white noise. Sometimes, colic can be related to overstimulation, so creating a calm and soothing environment can be helpful, dim the lights, side lying or facing baby inwards to you and use gentle music. Distinguish day from night as much as possible as this can help to regulate babies circardiun rhythm.
• Reflux: Reflux is much more complex and can be an array of symptoms throughout each day. One important aspect is knowing that reflux is a symptom & not a diagnosis or disease. The first thing to achieve is finding the underlying cause of the reflux and go from there, and medication may not always be the answer depending on the cause of the reflux symptoms.

To truly know what is going on I have my Reflux Relief Package – guiding you to find the root cause, track the symptoms and find relief with day to day tools, techniques & remedies.

The Reflux Relief package is your one stop resource for understanding, managing, and finding relief from reflux symptoms in your precious baby. I have combined the expertise of healthcare professionals, my own training, the latest research from the UK, and video sessions including; Baby Massage, Relax your nervous system, Face Massage, Tummy Time & useful resources & tools to find relief from infant reflux.

What You’ll Discover Inside:

1. Possible Causes of Reflux: Dive deep into the world of infant reflux as we explore the various factors that may contribute to your baby’s discomfort. From birth trauma to digestive system development, I provide valuable insights to help you pinpoint the root of the issue including journal prompts for you to establish an understanding of the cause of YOUR baby’s reflux.
2. Symptoms Tracker: Take control of your baby’s reflux journey with our symptoms tracker. Monitor your baby’s symptoms over time, allowing you to make informed decisions and share valuable information with healthcare professionals. This package is fillable therefore you can tick symptoms & includes a 4 week tracker you can fill in via your phone, tablet or laptop so you can deeply observe baby.
3. Online Baby Massage Videos: Learn the art of baby massage through my comprehensive videos, including the tummy & chest massage and the face massage. Discover how gentle massage techniques can soothe your baby’s discomfort, promote relaxation, enhance bonding, an reduce pain.
4. Settling Hold & Positons for Baby: Videos for settling holds, positions & tummy time from birth – 6 months, reminding you that you have the tools to support baby at home
5. Tools & Techniques: Various tools, remedies & techniques to deeply support reducing episodes of reflux, or to clearly identify symptoms of allergy or oral dysfunction.
6. Resources & Reading: I have sourced many resources, blogs & articles for you to browse so that you have as much knowledge as possible, and knowledge is POWER. When you have this knowledge you can know deeply in your heart how you can support baby & yourself through this journey to healing & reducing discomfort for baby.

Your online package will be delivered as a PDF, which is fillable and include all the links to online videos sessions and various resources.

Remember that you’re not alone on this journey. Reach out to me anytime for support at rosewtherapies@gmail.com