Colic?

Colic?

I struggled to hear the voice over the phone as I was distracted by my baby's cries.

"If she screams more or less for 3 hours three times a week late in the day, it's most likely colic," drums the nurse over the phone.

"Don't all babies cry?" I squeak into the phone. Somehow, giving my innocent angel the label of "colic" seemed to make her crying even worse. I watched her swinging in her baby swing, mouth open, face red....assuming the usual evening positon.

"If her crying fits the description I just gave you, it is most likely colic," repeated the voice.

"What do I do?" I winced. "Can I bring her in?"

"She will outgrow it. Usually by 3 months, it's over."

That was it. I was left alone with a very unhappy baby and told to wait it out. What? My baby was upset. She couldn't be comforted. Her crying exhausted me. What is going on? Luckily, we made it through, but only after I researched the heck out of this beast called colic. I have been curious if colic is associated with shaken baby syndrome. I tried to imagine a less patient person handling a baby with full blown colic and shuddered at the thought. Because, I am telling ya, I was a teacher in a low income neighborhood for years. I am a patient woman. But, facing colic, patience took on a new meaning. Worse yet, was the well meaning advice of friends. "Don't worry. You are a new mother, You will get the hang of it." What? Are you suggesting I am freaking my baby out? There is something to this colic. Determined to help another parent with a baby that just "won't stop crying", I have summed up all I have found.

Remedies for Colic....

*Take your baby to the doctor with a journal of his/her crying to rule out anything serious. It could also be acid reflux. There are meds that can help.
*Switch formulas. All formulas are not equal. Be careful with Soy based. It could constipate.
*Read Harvey Karp's, Happiest Baby on the Block. Pay attention to the 5 "S." - swing, swaddle, Shh, side, sucking http://thehappiestbaby.com/
*White noise machine or something that makes white noise- vaccuum, blow dryer, clothes dryer, static on radio. The machine really helped my second baby sleep thru the night.
*Movement ...rocking, walking, strolling, bounce on top of a yoga ball...
*Gripe medicine or homeopathic colic pills. I did not try , but heard it works.
*Use the colic hold, pressure on tummy
*Anit gas meds http://www.mylicon.com/
*Watch what you eat if you are breastfeeding, keep a journal
*Breastfeedng can be more tolerant than formula, give breastfeeding a try. Although, I know colic does exhaust mom, Your supply may dwindle if you are exhausted. Get help, get rest. A lactation consultant can help. Yes, some are Breast Nazis, but some are like Breastfairy Mothers... Shop around. They're your boobs.http://www.laleche.com/
*Colic kicks in around week 3 , just as you are your most sleep deprived. Be prepared.
*Dr. Brown's bottles have an anti colic appartus. All bottles are not the same, experiment
*Amby bed- this helps baby sleep longer. It places baby in womb like nest. http://www.ambybaby.com/
*Co-sleeper makes night breastfeeding easier and you get more rest. I used http://www.armsreach.com/
*Listen to the addage of " a fresh pair of arms", a child does pick up on your frustration. Hire a teenager to come in and hold your baby while you shower or nap.
*Sling, "wear your baby"
* Get support and compaionship thru a class or playgroup. The only one who understands life with a newborn is someone who is currently living with one. Amnesia quickly sets in after the newborn days are over. You may form lifelong friends.
*The baby is OK crying for a few minutes in her crib while you shower.
*Drive the baby in a car.
*Dunstan Baby Language. This lady claims that you can decipher a baby's cry. http://www.dunstanbaby.com/
* A warm bath
* Infant massage using lavender
* Pacifier
* I heard some good things about cranial osteopathy, but never tried it myself.
* Some research has proven that probiotics help with colic.
*Take the baby outside. There is something to be said about babies and fresh air.
* Yes, it is usually over by month 3.
* I have a theory ( just a theory!!) that women who use antibiotics during pregnancy may be setting up baby for colic. The antibiotics may be wreaking havoc on the baby's digestive systems prenatally. This is only from my personal experience. If ya gotta take antibiotics when pregnant, then take them! I would just recommend taking probiotics, too. Of course, you are no longer pregnant and there's nothing that can be done now, I know. Just food for thought.

Some of these tips may or may not work for your baby. All babies are different. Experimentation is part of parenthood. Keep trying. Remember, a baby changes dramatically during this first year. Every month brings new changes, joys and new challenges. This will pass.



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