The Difference Between Infant Reflux, Colic And GERD
Often parents of newborns have a hard time telling the difference between ordinary baby colic and more serious problems like infant reflux or GERD. This is because both infant colic and reflux share some similar symptoms such as excessive crying along with the baby having poor sleep habits.
But infant acid reflux is often marked by frequent vomiting, wheezing, and persistent coughing. This article will explore the other differences between infant colic reflux and ordinary baby colic.
Baby Colic vs. Infant Colic Reflux
The best way for you to determine if your child is suffering from ordinary colic versus a more serious condition is for you to look at the descriptions for both colic and infant acid reflux and compare the two against your baby’s behavior.
Baby Colic Signs
The thing most people of course notice is the uncontrollable and extreme crying. Colicky babies can scream …hmmm cry sometimes up to 3 hours at a time. In fact colic is defined as crying for 3 hours a day for more than 3 to 4 days a week.
The crying can happen either day or night but is most common during the afternoon or evening hours. Other signs are that babies with colic have flushed faces, frequently draw up their legs up, have bloated or gas filled bellies and seem to quiet down once they pass gas or stools. Although colic can be miserable for baby it is considered a benign or harmless condition.
Infant Colic Reflux Signs
As mentioned before infant colic reflux (more commonly called infant reflux or infant acid reflux) has a slightly different set of symptoms such as sudden crying or frequent vomiting or spitting up; especially after feeding, irritability and pain along with repeating lifting of the head or arching of the neck.
The baby may have breathing problems such as choking, coughing, wheezing or gagging. And worst case scenario is that infant reflux may develop into pediatric GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease).
Causes of Infant Colic Reflux
So you can see that infant colic reflux or infant acid reflux can be a very serious matter if it goes undetected. But what causes infant reflux? Acid reflux in infants occurs the same way as it does in adults. Foods, especially liquids can travel backwards from the stomach into the esophagus, (the tube that runs from your mouth to the stomach).
This is caused when the ring of muscles at the end of the esophagus fail to close properly. So when the stomach contents (which are mixed with acid) pass through, they irritate the esophagus and throat linings causing heartburn and pain. In severe cases like with GERD, it can cause recurring pneumonia or poor growth.
Babies with minor cases of infant reflux can be treated by keeping the baby upright for 30 or so minutes after feeding in order to let gravity help them keep food down. Plus you should wait an half hour before putting pressure on the stomach or using rice cereal to thicken their formula to lessen spit ups.
Of course, you should know that most cases of infant acid reflux are mild and your child will quickly outgrow it and with a few simple tips at feeding time you and your baby will overcome this troubling condition.
