Common Baby Aliments: How to Handle Colic, Reflux & Gas
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👶 Don’t Panic, You’re Not Alone
It’s 2 AM. Your baby is crying (again), and no amount of rocking or lullabies seems to help. Sound familiar?
Welcome to the world of baby digestive issues—a rite of passage for most new parents. Whether it’s colic, reflux, or gas, these common baby ailments can be distressing but are usually manageable with the right knowledge and a lot of love. 💕
In this article, we break down the most frequent baby tummy troubles and how to ease them—without the overwhelm.
1. 🌀 What is Colic?
Colic is intense, often unexplained crying in an otherwise healthy baby, usually starting around 2–3 weeks of age and peaking at 6 weeks.
🔁 It typically occurs in the evening and can last 3+ hours a day.
🔍 Signs of Colic:
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Loud, intense crying (especially in the evenings)
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Clenched fists, arched back, pulling legs toward the tummy
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Crying for no obvious reason (hunger, diaper, etc.)
💡 How to Soothe a Colicky Baby:
✅ Swaddle your baby for security
✅ Use white noise or gentle shushing
✅ Try motion: rocking, swinging, or stroller rides
✅ Keep feeding positions upright to reduce air intake
✅ Ask your pediatrician about probiotics or gas drops
2. 🌊 What is Infant Reflux?
Reflux happens when milk comes back up from the baby’s stomach. It’s common and often harmless (known as spitting up), but can occasionally cause discomfort.
🔍 Signs of Reflux:
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Frequent spit-up or vomiting
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Fussiness after feeds
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Arching back during/after feeding
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Poor weight gain (in rare cases)
💡 How to Help a Baby with Reflux:
✅ Feed baby upright & keep upright for 20-30 minutes after
✅ Offer smaller, more frequent feedings
✅ Burp frequently during feeds
✅ Use a slightly inclined surface for supervised naps (ask your pediatrician first)
✅ Ask your doctor about potential milk sensitivities
3. 💨 Baby Gas Troubles
Newborns have immature digestive systems, which can cause trapped gas that leads to discomfort and crying.
🔍 Signs of Gas:
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Fussiness or crying after feedings
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Pulling knees to chest
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Bloated tummy or excessive burping/farting
💡 How to Relieve Baby Gas:
✅ Use gentle tummy massages (clockwise circle)
✅ Try “bicycle legs” to release trapped air
✅ Use anti-gas drops if recommended by your pediatrician
✅ Try a warm bath to relax muscles
✅ Look into gas-relief bottles or slow-flow nipples to reduce air intake
🧸 Parent Survival Tips:
✨ Trust your instincts – You know your baby best.
✨ Keep a symptom diary – This helps track patterns and discuss with your pediatrician.
✨ Don’t compare – Every baby is different. Some babies have more sensitive tummies.
✨ Ask for support – Whether it’s your partner, your mom, or a mom-friend, don’t hesitate to lean on others.
🌙 You’re Doing Amazing, Mama
Remember: These tummy troubles are temporary, and you’re doing an incredible job, even if your baby doesn’t say it yet. With patience, a little trial-and-error, and lots of snuggles—you’ll both get through this. 💕
