So many parents I speak with feel trapped in the reflux cycle—endlessly trying things that don’t work, questioning themselves, and hoping the next suggestion will finally bring relief.
What if the real reason you’re stuck isn’t what you think?
What if the solution isn’t in another “try this” list—but in breaking free from the way you’ve been told to think about reflux?
This week marks 12 years since my life changed beyond recognition. My baby Sunflower arrived with a curriculum I wasn’t prepared for, one I resisted for a long time. That resistance—holding onto the belief that others had the answers—left me feeling like everything I did was wrong. Like I had made the biggest mistake in becoming a mother.
Twelve years ago, I was sleeping upright, buried in pillows, holding my daughter in whatever position allowed her a moment of peace. I broke every “safe sleep” rule because survival mattered more than following the script.
Health visitors and midwives reassured me, saying:
🔸 “Babies cry. She’s gaining weight, so she’s fine.”
🔸 “She’s just curious about the world, that’s why she hates lying down.”
🔸 “Ten days without a stool? Your milk is just that pure—nothing is left over.”
I trusted them instead of trusting myself. I believed the stories they told me. I even wrote some of them in my book! (Yes, that last myth about milk and digestion is still in there—because the book hasn’t been updated yet. If you’ve read it, I apologise for that misleading piece. Everything else holds up, though, as I re-read it six months ago!)
I didn’t have a list of things to try, because nobody thought anything was wrong. They saw my exhaustion, my confusion, my daughter’s discomfort—and they still believed this was normal.
It wasn’t until I reached the edge of my own sanity—utterly exhausted, emotionally drained, and feeling completely alone—that I stopped waiting for someone else to save me.
I tuned into what I already knew. I looked at my daughter, at her body, her signals. And I decided that if no one else could give me answers, I would create my own.
That’s when everything changed.
Yesterday, I spoke with the incredible Sophie Harris from Looking After Mum about the mental health impact of reflux and the way mothers are left to carry this struggle alone.
This powerful conversation is important because there are few people discussing the mental health impact of reflux and the stories we tell ourselves. If you’ve ever thought:
❌ “I’m failing my baby.”
❌ “Maybe I just need to accept this.”
❌ “Why can’t I figure this out?”
Then this conversation is for you. Because the way you speak to yourself matters just as much as the actions you take.
This conversation was game-changing because reflux doesn’t just affect babies—it changes how you see yourself as a parent. Sophie and I discussed:
✔️ The unspoken mental and emotional toll of reflux
✔️ How to shift the internal dialogue that’s keeping you stuck
✔️ Simple ways to care for yourself (even when it feels impossible)
✔️ A few common Q&A at the end
MYTH DEBUNK: “Colic is just a phase”
How many times have you heard, “It’s just colic, they’ll grow out of it”?
Here’s the truth: Colic isn’t a diagnosis. It’s a label that keeps parents stuck.
When you’re told “it’s just colic,” you stop looking for answers. You start waiting, hoping things will improve on their own. And that’s exactly how families get trapped in months of unnecessary suffering.
If your baby’s crying doesn’t feel normal, it’s because it isn’t. Trust that instinct.
READ MY LATEST BLOG ON COLIC HERE
💛 Want to finally understand what’s going on?
EXPLORE THE REFLUX-FREE FRAMEWORK NOW
CELEBRATING NEW GRADUATES!
This week I want to say a huge congratulations to two Alexandra's! Alexandra Radescu and Alexandra Boyce who both became Certified Baby Reflux Practitioners! Well done ladies, your communities are so lucky to have you both supporting them!
This is my first Newsletter, and I would love to make it a more regular posting, perhaps every other week. If you've got this far, please drop into the comments below and let me know your thoughts and feedback.
Along with knowing if this week’s message landed with you, I’d love to hear:
👉 What’s the biggest story you’ve been telling yourself about your baby’s reflux?
👉 What would happen if you challenged that story?
👉 What would you love to see in this sort of newsletter?
Drop into the comments let me know—I read every message.
Until next time,
Áine
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