Colic, Reflux, and Crying Babies: Why It’s Not Just “Normal”
For years, parents have been told that colic or reflux are “just a phase.” But as a pediatric and feeding therapist, I want to share a different perspective: persistent crying, spitting up, and discomfort are not “just normal baby things.” They’re communication. And often, they’re signs that something deeper is going on in your baby’s body.
Let’s unpack some of the most common root causes behind colic and reflux — and why addressing them can make all the difference.
1. Aerophagia (Swallowing Excess Air)
Babies are natural suckers and swallowers — but when their oral motor patterns aren’t working efficiently, they can easily gulp extra air during feeding.
That trapped air expands in their tummy, leading to gassiness, discomfort, and even reflux-like symptoms.
Signs this might be happening:
Clicking sounds while feeding
Milk leaking from corners of the mouth
Arching or pulling away during feeds
Frequent burping, hiccups, or spit-up
Fussiness when laid flat after eating
Therapy can help by improving the baby’s latch, jaw and tongue coordination, and postural support during feeding — all of which reduce air intake and make feeding smoother.
2. Overfeeding or Fast Flow
Sometimes reflux-like symptoms come from too much, too fast.
Whether baby is bottle-fed or breastfed, a flow that’s too rapid or frequent can overwhelm the stomach.
Why it matters:
When the stomach stretches beyond its comfort zone, milk can easily push back up (hello, spit-up). This can trigger the cycle of crying → more feeding for comfort → more reflux.
What to consider:
Slow-flow bottles or paced bottle feeding
Watching baby’s cues instead of strict feeding schedules
Allowing breaks for burping and regulation
Ensuring the baby is truly hungry, not seeking to self-soothe
3. Oral Motor Dysfunction
Feeding is a full-body skill that depends on coordinated muscle movement — jaw stability, tongue mobility, lip seal, and head/trunk support.
If a baby has tension, weakness, or compensations in any of these areas, feeding can become disorganized and inefficient.
Common contributors:
Tongue-tie or lip-tie
Birth trauma or tension in the neck/jaw
Prematurity or medical history affecting oral development
These babies may swallow air, fatigue easily, or struggle to manage milk flow — all increasing risk for reflux-like symptoms.
Occupational and feeding therapy can assess and address these patterns with gentle exercises, bodywork, and feeding strategies tailored to your baby.
4. Food Intolerance or Allergy
Sometimes the issue isn’t mechanics, but what’s inside the milk. If a baby is sensitive to a protein (like cow’s milk or soy), the gut lining can become irritated — leading to inflammation, discomfort, and reflux symptoms.
Possible signs of intolerance:
Mucousy or bloody stools
Eczema or chronic congestion
Back-arching or screaming during feeds
Frequent spit-up that doesn’t improve with positioning
Partnering with your pediatrician, GI specialist, or a functional provider can help identify whether dietary changes are needed — while feeding therapy can support comfort and efficient oral motor function during the transition.
5. Body Tension & Positioning
Sometimes the “reflux” isn’t just digestive — it’s structural. If a baby has retained tension from birth (for example, after a tight delivery, tongue tie, or prolonged positioning), the body may struggle to relax into comfortable feeding and digestion patterns.
You might notice:
Preferring one side to turn head
Tight shoulders or fists
Arched back posture
Difficulty with tummy time
Gentle bodywork, movement-based therapy, and positioning education can help your baby’s system relax and improve comfort during and after feeds.
The Bottom Line
Reflux and colic are not diagnoses — they’re symptoms. They tell us your baby’s system needs support — whether that’s oral motor coordination, improved body regulation, adjusted feeding technique, or help with digestion and inflammation.
The good news? When we identify and address the root cause, babies eat more comfortably, cry less, sleep better, and thrive.
You Know Your Baby Best
If your baby cries often, arches, spits up, or seems uncomfortable after feeds — you’re not doing anything wrong. You’re observing important clues.
Therapy isn’t about blaming or pathologizing — it’s about listening to what your baby’s body is telling us and supporting it with the right tools and care.
Written by: Dr. Marisa McDole
If you have concerns such as these and are not seeing improvement or just want a second opinion, let us help you by contacting us today!
