• An unknown cause, it occurs when there is air in the stomach causing muscles in the body to contract to remove the air.
• It is defined as ‘spasmodic muscle contractions of smooth muscle causing pain and discomfort’ resulting in uncontrollable crying.
• Colic can occur for at least 3 hours a day for three days per week for at least 3 weeks.
• It can last up to 3-4 months after birth and does not hurt the baby in the long run.

In babies under the age of two years old:

(The risk of heartburn is greater when)

• Premature birth;
• Parental history of heartburn or acid regurgitation;
• Obesity (overweight);
• Hiatus hernia;
• History of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (repaired);
• History of congenital oesophageal atresia (repaired) – rare birth defect that affects a baby’s oesophagus (the tube through which food passes from the mouth to the stomach). The upper part of the oesophagus doesn’t connect with the lower oesophagus and stomach. It usually ends in a pouch, which means food can’t reach the stomach;
• Underlying neurodisability;

Cause by other infancy related conditions:

• Overfeeding
• Cow’s-milk protein allergy
• Pyloric stenosis- problem that affects babies between birth and 6 months of age and causes forceful vomiting that can lead to dehydration.
• Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)- a breathing disorder where an infant’s lungs become irritated and do not develop normally.
• Malrotation -a birth defect link that occurs when the intestines do not correctly or completely rotate into their normal final position during development.
• Tracheo-oesophageal fistula- an abnormal connection between these two tubes. As a result, swallowed liquids or food can be aspirated (inhaled) into your child’s lungs.
• Constipation

The Pharmaceutical Journal, PJ, May 2022, Vol 308, No 7961;308(7961):
DOI:10.1211/PJ.2022.1.141848

Other condition to consider in babies:

Reflux and Regurgitation (when babies bring up feeds and food):

• Gastro-oesophageal reflux is very common (it affects at least 40% of infants);
• It usually begins before the infant is eight weeks old;
• May be frequent (5% of those affected have 6 or more episodes each day);
• Usually becomes less frequent with time (it resolves in 90% of affected infants before they are 1 year old);

The Pharmaceutical Journal, PJ, May 2022, Vol 308, No 7961;308(7961):
DOI:10.1211/PJ.2022.1.141848

Many young babies have bouts of acid reflux because their muscular valve keeping the food in the stomach has not properly developed yet.

Symptoms

• Bringing up milk or being sick during or shortly after feeding?
• Coughing when feeding?
• Hiccups when feeding?
• Unsettled and/or crying during feeding?
• Swallowing and/or gulping after burping?
• Swallowing and/or gulping after feeding?
• Not gaining weight (due to not keeping food down)?

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