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Colic and Acid Reflux Q & A
What is colic?
If your baby has colic, they will cry inconsolably without any clear cause. In most cases, episodes of crying occur at the same times each day and continue for a few minutes or a few hours. In many cases, babies with colic will clench their fists and have tense abdominal muscles during episodes.
Colic usually occurs because of discomfort in the baby’s stomach or intestines. Some babies may have colic because of food allergies or milk protein intolerance.
What is acid reflux?
Acid reflux occurs when the contents of your baby’s stomach move back into the throat, causing pain and other symptoms. Some of the symptoms of reflux in babies and children include:
- Crying and fussiness
- Spitting up or vomiting frequently
- Coughing and/or wheezing
- Refusing food
How do you diagnose colic and acid reflux?
The experienced pediatricians at Sierra Pacific Pediatric Associates often suspect either colic or acid reflux based on the results of a physical exam and a description of the child’s symptoms. In the case of colic, other tests usually aren’t needed. However, if your child’s doctor suspects acid reflux, they may order other tests.
After diagnosing the cause of your child’s symptoms, your doctor will recommend treatment options that may make your child more comfortable and less fussy.
Does treatment help?
Babies with colic may benefit from gas-relief medications or probiotics. However, some babies may continue to experience symptoms even with treatment. Fortunately, most babies grow out of colic on their own in a few months.
Babies with acid reflux may benefit from medications designed to neutralize stomach acid and reduce pain. You may also be able to reduce the symptoms of acid reflux by putting your baby to bed on an incline, changing your feeding schedule, or changing the type of food your baby eats.
Most babies with acid reflux will grow out of the problem as they get older. Older children may struggle with reflux in some cases.
