“If there’s one thing I’d like to tell mothers it’s to trust their own judgment. People told me it’s colic it’ll pass that I’m just not used to this because my first baby was an angel. One doctor even claimed that Benny wasn’t well hydrated. But I knew there was something more going on”

“A strong indicator that there’s something behind the colic is a change in the baby’s behavior” says Dr. Robert Adler of Segulah Pediatrics in Brooklyn New York. “For instance if an infant goes from regular spitting up to projectile vomiting that’s an irregularity that can indicate a surgical emergency.”

If your baby is a screamer people are probably spouting all types of advice such as “You’re spoiling the baby by holding her all day” (wrong: infants cannot be spoiled; if anything your attention to her needs promotes future happiness and confidence) or “Give him rice cereal and he’ll be happy!” (wrong again: rice cereal has not been shown to be helpful). But don’t forget that Mom knows Baby best and if your instincts tell you something more is going on chances are there is.

Numerous health conditions masquerade as colic. Here are some of the culprits.

Acid Reflux (GERD)

Nechama’s son Benny spent the first three months of his life screaming most of the day. Although he ate and gained weight nicely he was miserable.

“We tried everything — colic drops gas drops natural remedies different formulas you name it ” Nechama recalls. “Still Benny kept crying. It took two doctors and nearly three months until he was diagnosed with silent reflux in which the stomach sends contents back up into the esophagus causing pain without vomit.”

Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) is a condition in which stomach acid is regurgitated into the esophagus resulting in heartburn-like pain. The most common symptoms of acid reflux are frequent or excessive vomiting reswallowing stomach pain recurrent hiccups gagging or choking while eating bad or sour smelling breath and fussiness after a feeding. Infants who suffer from GERD often draw their knees up to their chests.

At fault is usually an immature digestive system which is why acid reflux is so prevalent in preemies. This condition mostly outgrown by the first birthday persists in less than five percent of toddlers. Simple adjustments such as holding Baby upright for 30 minutes after feeding or elevating the head of the crib safely feeding less at a time and more often and burping frequently to relieve gastric pressure may make a difference. If age-appropriate and recommended by your doctor thickening formula with cereal or switching to solids can help as well.

But if reflux is persistent painful and unresponsive to the above measures many doctors will prescribe meds such as Zantac. Medications to treat reflux are some of the most widely used drugs in children under the age of one. In extreme cases surgery may be required.

A new study suggests doctors are quick to diagnose infants with acid reflux which prompts anxious parents to insist on meds. It’s important to note that medication is not always necessary nor effective so don’t rush to the pharmacy before trying other options first.

“If there’s one thing I’d like to tell mothers it’s to trust their own judgment ” Nechama says emphatically. “People told me it’s colic it’ll pass that I’m just not used to this because my first baby was an angel. One doctor even claimed that Benny wasn’t well hydrated. But I knew there was something more going on.” She smiles. “Intuition is real — it’s a gift that comes with mommyhood. Use it!”

Food Sensitivities

Although Mindy’s baby Shani seemed happy enough she continued to spit up twice after each feeding so Mindy mentioned it to the pediatrician. Since the baby didn’t appear to be in pain the doctor wasn’t overly concerned assuming that it was merely an underdeveloped digestive system at play.

“I didn’t think it was normal ” Mindy recalls. “And then when she was seven months old Shani suddenly started getting eczema all over her body. It was terrible; she was so itchy she couldn’t sleep.” (Excerpted from Family First Issue 546)