Just found this article whilst surfing the net. I feel anecdotally that both reflux and colic are overdiagnosed. I am a midwife but not a MCH nurse. If it is so common maybe it IS a normal variation......what do you think about it? It just seems to me that some people aren't happy until they have a label and a medicine to treat it with when they have an "unsettled" baby. Maybe I am being too simplistic about this subject.
Interested in the thoughts of some of our online listers. Helen http://www.bubhub.com.au/newsletterdec0601.shtml Reflux is so common it is almost seen as 'normal', or even trivial, and most people just don't understand how difficult life can be for many families, or understand the impact reflux can have on their lives! They may think of it erroneously as 'just a bit of vomiting', or 'just a behavioural issue'. They don't see how it impacts on the child's eating, sleeping, growth, behaviour or quality of life; or on the family's quality of life, relationships between partners, siblings or other children; finances; and even leisure time. The truth is, only families who have experienced it for themselves really understand. Many families: a.. Have difficulty getting people to believe just how bad the vomiting and/or the screaming really are b.. receive conflicting and confusing advice c.. become socially isolated d.. feel like failures as parents e.. have family and friends who just didn't understand Even when a baby is suffering from relatively uncomplicated reflux, families often need reassurance, and enjoy talking to someone who understands. For the families whose infants suffer complications, it is even more important that they can talk to other parents, and have the support, reassurance and understanding they need to get through this stressful experience
