This publication looks at the possible causes of irritable infants and gastro-oesophageal reflux in infants.

The cry of an infant is designed to stimulate a nurturing response in caregivers; babies come equipped with a cry that is a powerful means of communication. But how do parents learn to interpret a baby's cry? How does a baby learn to be comforted? When serious illness is ruled out, the persistent crying of a 'difficult' baby may become so hard to bear that it leads to frustration, hopelessness, low self-esteem or even abuse. 

Gastro-oesophageal reflux is the passage of gastric contents from the stomach into the esophagus.