Welcome to the Colic & Reflux Masterclass for Practitioners.
The masterclass is designed to provide you with a deeper knowledge on what colic and reflux is and how you can help parents through this difficult time. Please note that as this is a masterclass and not a course there are no assignments to complete and no certificate to receive.
What is Colic?
A sweeping statement given to a crying baby who otherwise appears to be healthy. The key is to understand your baby’s root cause of colic.
Triggers of Colic
- Trapped Wind & Gas – Often caused by immature digestive system. Symptoms include bloated or distorted abdomen, frequent pumping, difficulty in burping, grunting, bringing knees to chest
- Fourth Trimester – This is the transition period from womb to world for the initial 12 weeks. Often overstimulated, fussy, dislikes being laid down.
- Altered Gut Microbiome – This can occur due to c-sections or antibiotic use which alters the gut microbiome, leading to sluggish digestion and an increase in allergies.
- Reflux – Often diagnosed as separate to colic but often the reason why baby is crying and uncomfortable. Reflux is the regurgitation of stomach contents and occasionally vomiting does not occur (silent reflux).
- Overtiredness/Overstimulation – Young babies have a short alert period and can become overstimulated very easily. Often the reason why the witching hour in the evening occurs.
- Environmental Issues – Simple as it seems, babies cannot control their environment. They can excessively cry due to hunger, temperature (too hot/ too cold) or even irritation from clothing. Crying is a baby’s only way of communicating.
- Allergies – Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA) symptoms include mucus in poo, wind and gas, skin rash, vomiting, constipation and constant fussiness. Delayed reaction includes bloated abdomen, fussiness, grunting.
- Tongue-Tie – Often missed by health practitioners but often responsible for reflux and colic symptoms. Affects both breast fed and bottle fed babies. Qualified practitioners can be found via the Association of Tongue-Tie Practitioners.
Practical Tips for Soothing Colic
- Skin to Skin – Soothing for baby and a great way to create calm and lower baby’s heart rate.
- Colic Holds – Indian Bouncing, Tiger in a Tree & Wonky Winding. Please see the YouTube videos for demonstrations.
- Baby Massage – Baby massage is a wonderful way of helping eliminate trapped wind, dislodge air bubbles and help mature the digestive system.
- Baby Yoga – The movements in baby yoga can stimulate the bowels to help combat constipation and help eliminate wind. Marching feet and bicycling legs can help bring relief for digestion.
- Elevation for Reflux babies – Keeping babies upright for feeding and at least 30 minutes after each feed will help gravity to keep the stomach contents in the stomach and prevent is washing back up the oesophagus.
- Baby Wearing – Wearing a baby in a sling, fabric wrap or a baby carrier can be comforting for a colicky baby. This keep baby close to the parent for comfort, they can hear the parent’s heartbeat and the motion that they feel whilst carried, mimics the movement in the womb.
Safe Sleep for Reflux Babies
The original advice that we have all heard is to tilt the crib at one end for a baby struggling with reflux. However, that advice has now changed. The Academy of American Pediatrics (AAP) has researched the efficacy of this and found evidence lacking that it has an impact of babies suffering with reflux and concluded that the risk of SIDS outweighs any benefit that would occur of being elevated. You can read the safe sleep guide by the AAP here.
This also includes a review of sleep aids including reflux pillows and wedges which are not recommended as a baby may flip themselves onto their stomachs due to the inclined position which increases the risk of SIDS.
Colic Remedies
There are so many different colic remedies available. Infacol and Dentinox are aimed at babies who are struggling with trapped wind. Colief or Co-Lactase drops works to break down the lactose sugars in the milk, making it easier for babies to digest. Gripe water claims to neutralise acid and help with wind, however many varieties contain sodium bicarbonate which can cause a chemical reaction and lead to more wind.
Infant Probiotics
Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus are the two strains of bacteria that babies require for a healthy gut. If either of these strains are absent then probiotics can help to replace the friendly bacteria. There are various infant probiotics that are approved for infant use and available from pharmacies:
Adapting Baby Massage for Colic & Reflux
Babies with digestive discomfort do not enjoy being laid down, especially babies with reflux. Alternative positions can be used to ease baby during the class. Positions that keep baby elevated such as against parents bent knees is preferred. The Tiger in a Tree hold can also be adapted so that parents can massage baby (especially the tummy).
Dealing with Baby’s Cries
Parents faced with relentless cries can become overwhelmed and often feel helpless. It is important to have compassion and patience when helping families struggling with colic. Listening is as valuable as the advice that you provide.
Researchers have linked colicky infants and maternal depression to decrease in overall family functioning. It is a cause of concern and one that can have a long-lasting effect on the family including poor attachment, stressful parenting and lower parental esteem.
By educating parents on colic and reflux, the symptoms and techniques to help their babies, it can reduce crying time, empower parents and boost parental confidence.
Available help for parents includes:
- Cry-SIS helpline for crying and sleepless babies
- PANDAS Foundation
- Family Lives
- NHS Baby Buddy App
Recommended Reading
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- Colic Solved; Bryan Vartabedian
- The Baby Reflux Lady’s Survival Guide; Aine Homer
- Your Baby Skin to Skin; Rachel Fitz-Desorgher
Resources to help you with classes
Bonus Video – how to help a baby with colic and reflux with experts Aine Homer & Gayle Berry
We both had babies with reflux and colic and we now share wisdom on how to support babies suffering from reflux and colic with massage and through an understanding of the root causes of colic. This is not to be missed! Aine Homer is also known as “The Baby Reflux Lady” and I am all about the love, connection and attachment for babies so if you are looking for a gentle way to support your baby through reflux and colic, have a listen.
About Rebecca
Rebecca works to help families understand their baby’s root cause of colic, and provide support and advice on the best available remedies to eliminate a baby’s colic. With personal experience of life with a colicky baby, Rebecca harnesses her skills to ensure that you feel fully supported and back on the road to being a happier and calmer family.
For more information you can find out more at the website www.colicsos.com .
You can also find her on Facebook and Instagram @colicsos. You can also listen to Rebecca’s podcast The Colic Diaries by Colic SOS which is available to download on various podcast platforms, including Apple Podcast, Google Podcast and Spotify.
