COLIC, REFLUX AND EXCESS CRYING
Do you feel like your baby might be experiencing colic or reflux, or crying excessively?
To begin, I must clarify that I am not a medical professional. However, as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) with extensive education and experience, I am acutely aware of how minor issues within the realm of infant feeding can manifest as distressing symptoms such as reflux, colic, and excessive crying in newborns.
I often use the analogy of a dehydration headache. When you become dehydrated, a common symptom is a headache. While you can temporarily alleviate the headache with paracetamol, the medication eventually wears off, requiring repeated doses or even stronger pain relief as the dehydration worsens. However, if you address the root cause – dehydration – with a glass of water, you could potentially avoid medication altogether or require it for a shorter time to treat the symptoms while you address the dehydration.
Similarly, reflux, colic, and excessive crying are typically symptoms of an underlying problem, often related to feeding, except in rare cases such as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
This is where my expertise comes into play.
If you have previously sought support for infant feeding but are still experiencing difficulties, it is likely that your situation is more complex and requires specialist support.
Initially, you might find my WhatsApp service helpful. We will discuss your experiences and the steps you have taken to resolve the issues, and formulate a plan to help you try to begin to eliminate the symptoms. Alternatively, you may prefer an in-person visit for a more thorough feeding and oral assessment alongside support. In some cases, it may become apparent that there is an underlying cause outside my scope of practice. In these instances, I will help you find a reputable specialist and will continue to provide support throughout the process.