At home, for some time now, your baby has been crying regularly, is restless, irritable, and hard to comfort. You can tell they’re in discomfort, but it’s tough to pinpoint the problem: infant colic or GERD? Or could it simply be spit-up?
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
- GERD and colic: two common but different issues
- GERD or colic, how to tell the difference?
- Our Élhée tips to soothe your baby
- When should you see a healthcare professional?
GERD and colic: two common but different issues
As new parents, you’ve surely heard about infant colic: you know, those pains that the Élhée bottle can help soothe? Maybe friends or your pediatrician have also explained what GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is. Yet these days, when your baby starts to cry, you feel helpless: where does it hurt, and why?
GERD: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) manifests as the upward movement of acidic stomach contents into the esophagus. Technically speaking, the lower esophageal sphincter, which acts as a valve between the esophagus and the stomach, isn’t fully developed yet, making these episodes more likely. In practice, your baby may experience retching and spit up the milk they’ve just consumed in more or less forceful bursts, always startling for parents.
Note that GERD is considered pathological when symptoms become troublesome, persistent, or when complications arise. However, it is rare in children under one year old. Do you think your baby may be affected? Note that there are three types of GERD.
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Simple GERD manifests with frequent spit-up, without pain or effect on your baby’s feeding or growth.
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Pathological GERD causes pain and inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis), regular crying after feeding or nursing, sometimes refusal to eat, and even trouble sleeping. You may also recognize or suspect it from the arched position your baby may adopt to relieve their discomfort. If left untreated, it may lead to complications such as growth issues or respiratory infections.
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Silent GERD, which is much more rare, does not result in visible spit-up and can go unnoticed. However, unexplained crying, chewing motions (a sign of reflux), liquid noises in the chest, and/or behavior that looks like torticollis (Sandifer syndrome), may be clues.
Spit-up does not mean your baby has GERD
Common in 70% of 4-month-old babies and harmless, spit-up happens when stomach contents rise up into the esophagus and come out through the mouth, often after feeding. Without significant pain or crying, this tends to disappear naturally by 12 to 18 months as your child starts standing up. Often called “physiological regurgitation,” it doesn’t require any specific treatment unless it becomes very frequent and troublesome for your baby.
GERD and spit-up are therefore connected, but differ in severity and their impact on your child’s well-being.
Infant colic
Infant colic, well known to parents, affects many babies from about 2 weeks to 4 months of age. Though distressing for parents, exhausting for the whole family, and of course, painful for babies, these episodes—often caused by air buildup in the tummy or an immature digestive system—are harmless. Typical colic signs include:
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Intense and inconsolable crying occurring unpredictably, often late in the afternoon or evening.
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A characteristic position: legs drawn up to the tummy, clenched fists, a red face, and sometimes an arched back.
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Regular episodes several times a week, not directly related to feeds.
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Otherwise a healthy baby who feeds well and continues to grow.
Do you think your baby has colic? Remember, they’re temporary and naturally fade away around 3 or 4 months old.
GERD or colic, how to tell the difference?
If the symptoms seem similar to you, that’s normal. As a parent, seeing your child cry—and sometimes even scream—can be truly upsetting, and we understand. Moreover, the two issues have a great deal in common, both in their causes and their signs. That’s why we’ve put together a quick recap, for you to review calmly, once baby is soothed or asleep.
💡First, pay attention to when the symptoms arise. Note the position that brings your baby relief. Watch for any effect on eating, and look for the presence—or absence—of spit-up.
| GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) | Infant Colic | |
| Timing | Irregular, mostly after feeds | Regular hours, usually late in the day |
| Relieving position | Feels better upright, uncomfortable when lying down | Restless, legs folded up on tummy |
| Spit-up | Frequent or sometimes invisible (silent GERD) | Absent |
| Feeding | May refuse to eat or have difficulty | Normal appetite |
And for more details, let’s look at each of these points in turn.
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⏰ Timing
GERD occurs irregularly, mainly after bottle or breastfeeding. Colic, on the other hand, tends to appear at set times, often late in the day, almost like a daily appointment.
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👶 Relieving position
A baby with GERD will feel better upright. During a colic attack, you’ll notice your baby draws their legs toward their tummy and may turn very red in the face.
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🌊 Spit-up
Visible or subtle, spit-up points toward GERD. Colic, by contrast, does not feature spit-up.
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🍼 Impact on feeding
GERD can upset eating. In the case of colic, your baby generally keeps a good appetite.
By observing these four aspects, you’ll have valuable clues to help identify what’s bothering your child. And remember: if you’re in doubt, your pediatrician is there to help.
Our Élhée tips to soothe your baby
Once you’ve identified what’s troubling your child, in addition to any treatment or guidance you may be following, a few simple actions and small tricks can help them feel better.
For reflux, optimize digestion
Parents of babies with GERD can start by splitting meals into smaller feedings. Eating less at a time gives your baby a better chance to digest well. At the same time, avoid tight clothes like jeans or tights, which might bloat them and worsen discomfort.
After bottle or breastfeeding, hold your child upright against you to help them burp and digest better. Depending on conversations you’ve already had with your pediatrician, you can also discuss the idea of switching to a thickened infant formula or possibly a protein intolerance if you’re breastfeeding.
Warmth and gentleness for colic
There are several ways to help a baby suffering from colic. Tummy massage, with a flat hand, moving clockwise, is one of the classic go-to remedies. Get comfortable on the bed or changing table, add a little song and you’ll have a captivated baby. You can also cradle baby tummy-down across your forearm, or gently fold their legs toward their tummy and turn them softly to help relieve trapped gas.
Again, another formula or a change of position for bottle-feeding may be helpful, as well as babywearing or skin-to-skin after feeding. Also, a small baby hot water bottle or simply your own body warmth works wonders.
Finally, quiet evenings, free from overstimulation, help reduce the frequency and intensity of colic episodes.
At Élhée, we contribute to your baby's well-being with a bottle suitable from birth, specially designed to prevent colic from developing. A soft, rounded bottle made of medical-grade silicone and a built-in anti-colic valve in the nipple effectively reduce air intake, the main cause of discomfort.
When should you see a healthcare professional?
To help you decide when to call your pediatrician, here are some signs to look out for and reasons to seek medical advice quickly.
Your baby seems especially unwell and has inconsolable crying. Parental instinct is precious: if you feel something isn’t right, trust yourself.
Weight loss or no progress on the growth curve is an important red flag. Likewise, if your baby refuses to eat or has frequent and large episodes of vomiting, schedule a visit.
Fever, blood in the stool or spit-up, or any other unusual signs should prompt you to contact your doctor or go to the pediatric ER.
More generally, if you can’t figure out the cause of your baby’s cries, if you’re unsure whether it’s colic or reflux, or if symptoms—however mild—persist despite your best efforts, don’t wait. Book an appointment with your pediatrician for a thorough diagnosis and best treatment. Remember, it’s always safest to consult, even if only for your peace of mind.
Listen to your gut
Reflux and colic are common childhood challenges. Rest assured: most babies outgrow this phase naturally, even if it seems never-ending. Also, remember on a daily basis that your loving presence is already therapeutic in itself. Your attention and affection are the first remedies your baby needs—moments of comfort that strengthen your bond day by day.
Frequently Asked Questions
- My baby spits up but doesn’t cry—should I be concerned?
No, simple spit-up is very common in babies. If your baby is happy and gaining weight normally, there’s no need to worry.
- Can colic last more than 4 months?
Generally, colic disappears by 3-4 months. If symptoms persist longer, check with your pediatrician 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 the symptoms are troublesome, don’t hesitate to consult.
- How do I know if the formula is suitable?
A suitable formula will mean your baby digests well: satisfied after feeding, gaining weight normally, and not showing signs of discomfort.
- Can an anti-colic bottle really help?
Yes, a well-designed bottle significantly reduces air intake during feeding, the main cause of colic. The anti-colic valve and anatomical nipple shape are key features.
- How soon will you see changes after switching formula?
You may notice improvements in 2-3 days, but it can take a full week to really evaluate the change.
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