Colic, Reflux, and Gas: What’s Making Your Baby Lose It?

Earplugs? Not an option! And no, you can't just drown out that incessant wailing by turning your Bose speakers up at 1AM. If you've ever paced the floor with a crying newborn, desperate for answers, you've probably heard terms like colic, reflux, and gas thrown around. But what exactly are they, and how do you handle them?

The Great Crying Mystery: Colic vs. Reflux vs. Gas

Look, all newborns cry. But colicky babies? They take it to Olympic levels. If your baby wails for more than three hours a day, at least three days a week, for three weeks straight (yes, that’s the actual medical definition), then congrats—you’ve got a colicky baby. The cause? No one really knows. Some blame gut bacteria, others say it’s an immature nervous system, but all parents agree: it’s a brutal phase that makes you question everything.

Then there’s reflux, which is basically your baby’s stomach telling gravity, “You’re not the boss of me.” Spit-up happens. A lot. Some babies spit up like it’s no big deal—just a casual milk fountain—while others act like every drop of reflux is a personal betrayal. If they’re arching their back, crying mid-feed, or refusing to eat, acid reflux might be the culprit. The good news? They usually outgrow it. The bad news? Your wardrobe is about to feature a lot more milk stains.

Gas, on the other hand, is like an overly dramatic guest who just won’t leave. Your baby sucks in air while feeding, and because they haven’t mastered the art of burping yet, it just sits there, making them miserable. The telltale signs? Bloated belly, grunting, squirming, and that adorable-yet-heartbreaking “why is life so unfair?” look.

How to Tell Which One You’re Dealing With

Still not sure what’s ruining your sleep schedule? Here’s how to tell the difference:

Colic babies cry at the same time every day, usually in the evening. Legs pulled up, face red, fists clenched. No clear trigger. Peaks at six weeks, disappears by four months.

Reflux babies spit up after every feed, act uncomfortable when lying down, have frequent hiccups, cough, or cry mid-meal. Starts early, gets better by 12 months.

Gassy babies have bloated bellies, squirm, grunt, and pass gas (sometimes with a satisfied grunt). Comes and goes throughout the day.

💡 Quick tip: If your baby cries for hours like a broken alarm system, it’s probably colic. If they spit up and cry, it’s likely reflux. If they grunt, fart, and suddenly feel better, gas is the almost certainly the culprit.

How to Fix It (or at Least Survive It)

Colic: The Baby Meltdown You Can’t Reason With

Colic babies cry for no reason (or at least no reason that makes sense to us), but you can make them slightly less miserable. Motion is your best friend—rock them, bounce them, baby-wear, or even take a car ride if you’re desperate. White noise is another lifesaver; fans, vacuums, or womb-sound playlists (yes, they exist) can work wonders.

Swaddling is basically a cheat code. It recreates that snug, secure womb feeling that keeps babies from flailing around like tiny breakdancers. And don’t forget to burp—because swallowed air means more gas, which means more crying. If you're breastfeeding, it might be worth experimenting with your diet. Some babies react to dairy or caffeine, though the science isn’t crystal clear.

Reality check: There’s no magical cure for colic. It’s a waiting game. But these tricks? They can at least make the screaming sessions less nightmarish.

Reflux: When Food Keeps Making a Comeback

For mild reflux (aka "casual spitting-up"), it’s more of a laundry issue than a medical one. But if your baby acts like every meal is a battle, here’s what can help:

Feed your baby upright and keep them upright for at least 20 minutes after feeding. Gravity is your friend—don't let milk pull a U-turn. Smaller, frequent meals can also help, since an overfull stomach is more likely to push milk back up.

If you're bottle-feeding, consider trying a different one—anti-colic bottles are designed to reduce air intake. And, of course, burp often—mid-feed, post-feed, whenever you can.

When to call a doctor: If they aren’t gaining weight, projectile vomit, or refuse to eat, check in with your pediatrician.

Gas: The Easiest Problem to Fix (Sort Of)

Gas is the least evil of the three, because you can actually do something about it:

Burp more often. The more air that comes out the top, the less gets trapped inside. If your baby is still squirming, try the old bicycle trick—gently moving their legs in a pedaling motion helps get things moving (literally).

Tummy time is another winner. A little pressure on the belly can help release trapped air. And while some parents swear by gripe water or gas drops, results can be hit or miss—so it’s more of a “see if it works for your baby” situation.

If you're bottle-feeding or nursing, check the latch—a bad latch means baby is sucking in extra air, which equals more gas, which equals more crying.

When to Call a Doctor

Most of this is normal, but if your baby:

• Isn’t gaining weight or is losing weight

• Has blood in their stool or vomit

• Cries inconsolably beyond the typical colic window

• Shows signs of dehydration (fewer wet diapers, dry mouth)

...it’s time to check in with your pediatrician.

Final Pep Talk: You Got This

Right now, you might feel like a human pacifier running on fumes. But this stage doesn’t last forever.

Colic ends by four months. Reflux gets better as their digestive system matures. Gas fades as they get better at burping like tiny pros

In the meantime? Tag in your partner, take a break when you need to, and find small ways to recharge. Your baby won’t remember these long nights, but you will—so give yourself grace and know that you’re doing an amazing job.

🚀 Hang in there, sleep is coming (eventually).

Parents, what helped you survive the colic/reflux/gas stage? Share your wisdom (or just vent!) in the

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