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Tips and Advice on Surviving Colic
When you were pregnant (and likely even before that), you imagined your sweet little baby drifting off in your arms as you rocked peacefully and sang a sweet lullaby. Sure, you knew there would be lots of feedings, diapers and awakenings late at night, but you were up for the job. Perhaps those were your greatest challenges those first few weeks, before the dreaded five letter word: C-O-L-I-C arrived! Now you are pacing the hallways, crying along with the baby, and wondering what you got yourself into! Well, speaking as someone who has been there, I can tell you that at least you are not alone. Rumor has it that one in five babies has colic, which is little comfort when your four new mom friends have babies that slept through the night at three weeks and have barely made an unhappy peep since birth! Hopefully this article will offer you some hope, good humor, and a few tips for getting through these tough few months. You will get through them. Believe me when I say that this phase will pass and before you know it you will be looking back in a hazy kind of way about the whole thing. Then you will start thinking about having another baby, believe it or not!
What is colic? Well, all I can say is that if your baby has it, you wonít be wondering! Still, here are some signs to look for: unexplained crying (often more in the evening), baby is otherwise healthy, well-fed and rested, baby seems fine between crying episodes, and the crying begins around two weeks of age. Luckily, colic will stop on its own. Unfortunately, this doesnít happen until three to four months of age. The crying peaks at around six weeks and then gets progressively better. Here are some tips for getting through your babyís colic with most of your sanity in tact. Try one or two suggestions at a time and give them time to work before moving on. Jumping frantically from one technique to another is likely to frustrate you and your little one. Short-term Solutions - For when you need a moment's peace: - Try Breastfeeding: Even if your baby isn't very hungry, she may be calmed down by the soothing effects of nursing. My ultra baby soothing magic weapon was to breastfeed and walk around at the same time. I could transition him from intense crying to peaceful sleep that way. Obviously, only do this if you are 100% confident you have a good hold of you little cutie. You can also try a pacifier if she isnít interested in nursing. Sucking on the pacifier is still calming. Your baby may need a little practice getting used to the pacifier and keeping it in. Iíve heard that you can help her by giving little practice tugs on it so she learns to pull it back into her mouth. Kind of a reverse psychology thing, but Iíve heard it works. - Bouncy Walk: Babies always feel better in loving arms. Hold you baby to your chest and walk in a very bouncy way. Ever been to a pow-wow? Try to replicate that way of moving down and up with each step. Close the curtains so the neighbors canít see and dance away! - Take Your Baby Outside - Sometimes the change of scenery is enough to snap the baby out of a crying spell or at least distract him for a little while. - Bouncy Seat with Vibration - Sometimes colicky babies need a break from mommy's and daddy's arms. If it seems like your baby may be over-stimulated (you've been to new places, seen new people that day), it may be better for her to just sit, stare and enjoy the good vibrations for awhile. Placing baby in the car seat on the dryer is a variation of this. Be sure to stand right there next to her at all times! - Stroll All Over - When my son was colicky and the bouncy walk started losing its effectiveness (and we were getting worn out), we were delighted to find that we could push him around the house in the stroller to calm him down. Just keep moving! If the weather is decent, take the baby out for a walk. Even if he cries, at least it won't be as overwhelming for you and he may surprise you by taking a little nap. Joy! - Gas Drops - Controversial, but some parents swear by them. Some say they donít do anything. Gripe water is in this category as well. If gas is a suspected culprit, you can also rub baby's tummy in a U shape clockwise around her belly button, push his knees up to his chest, or lay him across your lap. - Blow on her Face - This sounds strange, but it worked with our little guy! He seemed to like the sensation and it distracted him from crying. Distraction is good! - Making Funny Faces, Blow Raspberries - From the same theory of interesting distraction - it might be just enough to stop the crying for a short time at least. - Swing - Many mothers out there are practically nominating their baby swings for sainthood. For some babies, the swing is the only way to get them to sleep. For others, (like my sweet baby boy, alas), the swing is a sure-fire way to make them cry. Still, if you baby is in the first group, you wonít be able to live without one. The buzz right now is that the best swing is one that reclines and moves side to side. - Carry your little one - Babies love being near loved ones, hearing your heartbeat, and feeling warmth and movement - just like they did while still in the womb. Invest in a baby sling or carrier that will free up your arms and make it easier to carry your cutie for longer periods of time. Studies have shown that babies who are carried more cry less. - Special Sleeping Arrangements - Many mothers swear by cosleeping. Often babies sleep much better cuddled up to their mamas. Other mothers use special beds such as the Amby baby hammock (www.ambybaby.com). This bed helps the baby sleep at an angle and rocks the baby back to sleep a little every time she moves. Another option for a colicky baby is a device called "Sleep Tight Infant Soother" (www.sleeptightinfantsoother.com). It attaches to the crib and simulates the motion and sound of a moving car. Studies have shown that this device lessened colicky behavior in over 90% of babies. - Save Yourself! - If you get to the point of utter frustration and just canít take it anymore, give your babyís mommy the break she needs. If possible, get someone to take a shift watching her. If not, find a way to take a short breather. For some, that means putting the baby in the crib for a second and closing their eyes, stepping out of the room, or any other short break. When I was absolutely at my witís end, I would just hold my baby and rock in the rocking chair. Remember, you are not responsible for the crying. It is your job to help your baby as much as you can, but there will be times when there is nothing you can do but be there for him. Long-term Solutions: Because you'd give your right arm for this to end a little quicker. - Investigate Reflux - Does your baby spit up a lot? Or, do you hear a kind of gurgle, then a swallow, with possibly a sour milk scent to your baby's breath? Ask your pediatrician about the possibility of your baby having reflux. There are some very safe medicines, such as Zantac, that your baby could take to help him feel better in a few weeks time. - Consider Food Allergies - A "colic information sheet" given to me by my pediatrician, said "cow's milk allergy is a possible cause of crying only if your baby also has diarrhea or vomiting". Well, my son had neither, so I didn't think milk allergy was the culprit. Still, I tried for a couple days because I basically tried everything. Only later did I learn that it takes two weeks for dairy to leave your system and your milk. Although going off of dairy for two days didn't help, I learned later that he was allergic to milk when he started having bits of blood in his poopy diapers. I went off dairy completely and eventually eggs, soy and nuts. My son became so much better and much less fussy in a couple weeks time. This is not the issue for most colicky babies, but it is certainly worth trying. If your baby is on formula, you may also want to try switching to soy or hypoallergenic (hydrolyzed) formula and see it that helps. - Under Stimulate - If your baby seems very alert and tends to have her fussiest time in the evening, she may be over-stimulated during the day. I don't think this is the cause of colic, but it can definitely make the fussiness worse. Try staying home more with as much of a predictable routine as possible. I swear my son started enjoying diaper changes just because he knew what to expect each time. Sadly, this diaper change enjoyment did not last for too long, especially once he learned to roll over and crawl away. But I digress. - De-gas-ify - Many people claim colic is related to gas, though many experts disagree. Still, gas pain isnít going to make the fussiness better, so it is smart to address it if you think your baby has it. If you are breastfeeding, you can try avoiding "gassy" foods such as beans, broccoli, and cauliflower. If you are bottle feeding, take extra care to make sure your baby is not sucking on air (if the nipple isn't full). Many people have found that Dr. Brown bottles (http://www.handi-craft.com/) help reduce swallowed air. In either case, be sure to burp your baby a couple times during feedings. Try burping both on the shoulder and placing the baby into a sitting position to see which method works better for your little one. You can also try gas drops and tummy rubs as mentioned earlier. - Sleep Begets Sleep - If you can help your baby get good naps, she will be less fussy and sleep better at night. "Well, how do I get this angel to nap" you say? Here are some ideas for that: o Nap with her. o Carry her in a sling or baby carrier and donít stop moving! o Take a walk in the stroller and don't stop moving! o If she wakes from a nap fussing, that means she isn't done napping yet. Try to soothe her back down with nursing, rocking, or whatever works best for her. Note: Call your child's pediatrician immediately if your baby cries constantly for more than two hours, your baby acts sick or you are afraid you might hurt your baby. Wait until office hours to call if you canít find a way to soothe your babyís crying, the crying continues after your baby is four months old, your baby is not gaining weight, or you have any other concerns or questions. Gosh, this parenting stuff is a lot of hard work! At least when your baby is colicky, you appreciate every moment he is happy, smiling, or even just content. Even with a fussy baby, the time goes fast. Soon you will be shaking your head in wonder at how old you little one is. Believe me, my son is almost one and it feels like we just brought him home! Soon your biggest problem will be that your baby gets into everything or is slightly crabby while teething. So, when those four other new moms are losing their minds, you will be on easy street!
The information in this article is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses. Please consult a doctor with any questions or concerns you might have regarding your baby's health and care. © Hip and Little. Do not reproduce without permission. |
