At home, for some time now, baby has been crying regularly, fussing, being irritable and difficult to console. You can see he's suffering, but you're having trouble pinpointing the problem: infant colic or GERD? What if it's just regurgitation?
CONTENTS :
- GERD and colic: two very common but different disorders
- GERD or colic, how to tell the difference?
- Our Elhée tips to soothe your baby
- When should you consult a healthcare professional?
GERD and colic: two very common but different disorders
As a new parent, you're bound to have heard of infant colic: you know those pains that the Elhée bottle can help to soothe? And perhaps friends or your pediatrician have also explained to you what GERD (gastro-oesophageal reflux disease) is. But these days, when baby starts crying, you feel at a loss: where does it hurt and why?
GERD for gastroesophageal reflux disease
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the backflow of acid from the stomach into the esophagus. From a technical point of view, the lower esophageal sphincter, which acts as a valve between the esophagus and the stomach, is not yet fully developed, which facilitates this backflow. In practice, baby may gag and spit out the milk he has just drunk in more or less powerful spurts, always impressive for parents.
It should be noted that GERD is considered pathological when symptoms become bothersome or persistent, or when complications set in. However, it is rare in children under one year of age. Do you think your baby could be affected? There are three types of GERD.
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Simple GERD is characterized by frequent regurgitation, without pain or impact on the baby's feeding or growth.
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Pathological GERD, on the other hand, causes pain and irritation of the esophagus (esophagitis), regular crying after feeding or bottle-feeding, sometimes refusal to eat, and difficulty sleeping. You can also recognize it, or perhaps suspect it, by the arched position baby assumes to relieve his discomfort. Untreated, it can lead to complications such as growth problems or respiratory tract infections.
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Internal GERD, which is much rarer, does not lead to reflux and can therefore go unnoticed. However, unexplained crying, chewing (a sign of reflux), sounds of fluid in the chest, and/or an attitude reminiscent of torticollis (Sandifer's syndrome), can give you a clue.
Regurgitation does not make a baby GERD
Common in 70% of 4-month-old babies and not serious, regurgitation occurs when stomach contents rise in the esophagus and exit through the mouth, often after eating. With no significant pain or crying, regurgitation tends to disappear spontaneously around 12 to 18 months of age, with standing. Sometimes called "physiological regurgitation", they require no specific treatment, unless they become very frequent and embarrassing for the baby.
GERD and regurgitation are therefore linked, but differ in their intensity and impact on the infant's well-being.
Infant colic
Infant colic, well known to parents, affects many babies between the ages of 2 weeks and 4 months. Although impressive for parents, tiring for the whole family and, of course, painful for babies, these episodes, often caused by air accumulation in the tummy or an immature digestive system, are harmless. Typical signs of colic include:
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intense, inconsolable crying that occurs unpredictably, often in the late afternoon or evening.
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A characteristic stance, with legs drawn up to the belly, fists clenched, face flushed and sometimes body arched.
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Regular episodes, several times a week, with no direct link to meals.
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An otherwise healthy baby, who eats well and continues to grow.
Do you think your baby is colicky? Keep in mind that colic is temporary and disappears naturally around the age of 3 or 4 months.
GERD or colic, how to tell the difference?
If the symptoms seem similar, it's normal. As a parent, seeing your child cry, and sometimes even scream, is really unsettling, and we understand why. What's more, the two disorders are very similar, both in terms of their causes and their manifestations. That's why we've put together a short summary for you to read with a clear head, once baby has calmed down or fallen asleep.
💡Observethe timing of symptoms first. Note the position that relieves your baby. Monitor the impact of the disorder on his feeding, and finally, spot the presence or absence of regurgitation.
| GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease) | Infant colic | |
| Timing | Irregular, especially after meals | Regular hours, often at the end of the day |
| Position | Relieved in upright position, uncomfortable lying down | Wriggles, legs folded over stomach |
| Regurgitation | Frequent or sometimes invisible (internal GERD) | Absent |
| Power supply | May refuse to eat or have difficulty | Normal appetite |
And to find out more, let's take a look at each criterion in turn.
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⏰ Timing
GERD occurs irregularly, mainly after bottle-feeding or breast-feeding. Colic, on the other hand, tends to occur at specific times, often at the end of the day, as a sort of daily appointment.
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👶 The relief position
A baby suffering from GERD will be more comfortable in an upright position. Conversely, during an attack of colic, you'll notice that he folds his legs over his belly and may blush intensely.
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🌊 Regurgitation
Their presence points to GERD, whether visible or sometimes more discreet. Colic, on the other hand, is not accompanied by regurgitation.
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🍼 Impact on nutrition
GERD can disrupt feeding. In the case of colic, your baby generally maintains a good appetite.
By observing these four aspects, you'll already have valuable clues to identify what's bothering your baby. And don't forget: if in doubt, your paediatrician is there to guide you.
Our Elhée tips to soothe your baby
Once you've identified the cause of your child's torment, there are a few things you can do to help him or her feel better, in addition to any treatment or support already in place.
In case of reflux, optimize digestion
Parents of babies with GERD can start by splitting their meals. By eating less each time, baby increases his chances of digesting properly. At the same time, avoid tight-fitting clothes such as jeans or tights, which can cause bloating and aggravate discomfort.
After feeding, keep your child upright against you to help him burp and digest better. Finally, depending on the discussions you've already had with your pediatrician, raise the possibility ofopting for a thickened infant milk, or perhaps an intolerance to certain proteins if you're breast-feeding.
Warmth and softness for colic
There are many ways to soothe a colicky baby. A classic remedy is to massage the tummy, hand flat, in a clockwise direction. Set up on the bed or changing table, add a little song and you've got a captivated baby. You can also rock your baby's tummy against your forearm, or gently fold his legs against his abdomen and rotate them to stimulate gas evacuation.
Here again, a different milk or a change of bottle-feeding position can help, as can babywearing or skin-to-skin contact after feeding. A small infant hot-water bottle or your own body heat will also do wonders.
Finally, quiet evenings, without over-solicitation, also help to reduce the frequency and intensity of colic attacks.
At Élhée, we contribute to your baby's well-being with a bottle that can be used from birth, specially developed to prevent colic. A soft, round body in medical silicone and an anti-colic valve integrated into the teat effectively reduce air intake, the main cause of pain.
When should you consult a healthcare professional?
To help you know where you stand before you call the pediatrician, here are the signs that should alert you and encourage you to seek prompt medical attention.
Your baby seems particularly unwell, crying inconsolably. Your parenting instinct is precious: if you sense that something is not right, trust yourself.
Weight loss or stagnation on the growth curve is an important signal. Similarly, if your baby refuses to eat or is repeatedly vomiting profusely, a consultation is essential.
Fever, blood in the stool or regurgitation, or any other unusual sign should prompt you to make an appointment or visit the pediatric emergency room.
More generally, if you're having trouble pinpointing the cause of your baby's crying, if you're unsure whether colic or reflux is the cause, or if your baby's problems, however minor, persist despite your best efforts, don't wait. Make an appointment with your paediatrician, who will give you a precise diagnosis and recommend a suitable treatment. Remember, it's always safer to consult, if only to reassure yourself.
Listen to your little voice
Reflux and colic are common childhood challenges. Rest assured: the vast majority of babies go through this period naturally, even if it can seem interminable. So, on a day-to-day basis, don't forget that your caring presence is therapeutic in itself. Your attention and tenderness are the first remedies your baby needs, moments of comfort that strengthen your bond day after day.
Frequently asked questions
- My baby spits up but doesn't cry. Should I be worried?
No, simple regurgitation is very common in babies. If your baby is happy and gaining weight normally, there's nothing to worry about.
- Can colic last longer than 4 months?
Colic usually disappears around 3-4 months. If symptoms persist beyond this point, consult your paediatrician to rule out other causes.
- Can GERD go away on its own?
Yes, simple GERD often improves naturally as the digestive system matures. However, if symptoms are bothersome, don't wait to consult your doctor.
- How do you know if your milk is suitable?
Suitable milk ensures good digestion: baby is satisfied after feeding, gains weight normally and has no particular discomfort.
- Can an anti-colic bottle make a difference?
Yes, a well-designed bottle significantly reduces air intake during feeding, the main cause of colic. The anti-colic valve and the physiological shape of the teat play an essential role.
- When do you see the first effects of a milk change?
The first effects can be felt in 2-3 days, but it often takes a full week to judge the effectiveness of the change.
Les biberons Élhée accompagneront votre bébé de la naissance jusqu'à 24 mois et plus, pour lui permettre une parfaite autonomie, sans risque de casse.
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