Managing Colic
Tips for Calming Mom and Baby
After having read many baby books before your first baby will be born, you will most likely be well prepared for taking care of your sweet bundle of joy. You know that babies are supposed to sleep for three hours, and then nurse on both breasts with a nice burp in between or drink their bottle. Nursing should take about 10 minutes per breast. Most babies poop with every feeding. You will change the baby and then bring her back to sleep. All needs are met and baby should now be happy until the next feeding in three hours.
Now, could you visualize your shock when you find out that your baby hadn't read the instruction manual? If your baby cries inconsolably for prolonged periods of time every day and you've run through the checklist and found that you have done everything to meet your baby's needs, you might just have been blessed with a colicky baby. These newborns don't go back to sleep easily after feeding, they pull up their legs while screaming at the top of their lungs. Colic mostly starts in babies who are about 2 weeks old. Typical colic lasts until the baby is about 3 months old, though sometimes the persistent crying can linger until 6 or 9 months of age. As hard as it is to live through those hours of intense crying, the good news about colic is that there is an end in sight. It is also important to know that most colicky babies have no serious health issues.
The causes of colic are not completely understood. Some say it is triggered by gas pain and often, babies do calm down after they are able to pass gas. Reflux of the milk the baby just drank might be a cause of pain in the baby's esophagus. Frequent spitting up of milk can be a sign of reflux. Those babies can be helped with medication prescribed by your pediatrician. Other babies are simply overwhelmed by their environment. You will notice that these babies get distracted away from feeding and are overly sensitive to noises. The screaming might then be a way for the baby to let you know that the environment is still too stimulating or noisy for your baby's immature nervous system. Try not to overly excite a baby with too much noise or action.
When it comes to soothing a colicky baby there are many tricks that may help. Every mom will have to try different techniques in the hope that one will help her colicky baby. Most importantly, though, learn to trust your instincts! This cannot be emphasized enough. First time moms often feel insecure and are not sure if they are doing things they way they are "supposed" to. Trust yourself and do what you feel is good for you and your baby. If anyone tells you that you are spoiling the baby by carrying him all day, but this is what keeps him calm, then this is what the two of you need to do. If the only way for you to get some sleep at night is to have the baby in bed with you, but your pediatrician insists your baby needs to be in a crib, then maybe it is time to find a different doctor.
Apart from finding your own tricks, here are some starters that have helped other moms of colicky babies.
For the colicky baby:
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Swaddle the baby. They love that tight feeling they used to experience in the womb.
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Try carrying the baby in different positions. Colicky babies usually have one specific position they prefer (often on their belly to relieve gas or upright if they have reflux).
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Constant movement soothes colicky babies. A front carrier or baby sling usually works better than a baby swing since the baby wants to be close to mom.
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If the baby spits up a lot, see your pediatrician. It is possible that the baby has reflux, which is not uncommon, but can be painful and therefore cause the crying. Reflux can be treated medically.
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White noise (dryer, vacuum cleaner) can soothe a colicky baby. There are even white noise CD's out there one can purchase.
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A trick known to moms in foreign countries, but not usually recognized in the U.S., is fennel tea from a bottle (without sugar!). Some supermarkets carry it as "Stomach Ease Tea".
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If you are breastfeeding, you might try changing your diet and see if that helps with your baby's colic. If the baby is fed with formula, try out alternative formulas.
For the exhausted mom:
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Get sleep whenever you can. Take a nap every time the baby naps. You need to sleep in order to have energy and patience when the baby is crying.
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Delegate as much of your household chores as possible. Household duties or running errands are not a priority right now.
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Know that most colicky babies improve by age 3 months. There is an end in sight; just keep reminding yourself of that even after a day that felt like a whole week.
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If you know that there are specific times when the baby cries the most and can't be soothed, have someone you trust come to your house to take over carrying the baby for 15 minutes while you get some fresh air and recharge.
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Don't wait until you can't take it anymore. A crying baby can be physically and mentally exhausting. Ask for help from your partner, your family, or a babysitter.
