What Can You Do If You Have a Colicky Baby
Everybody pities a baby with colic. In fact, the people you should pity more are the parents. Colic isn’t a sickness or disease that plagues the baby. A baby is said to be colic when it is healthy but cries for hours on end without any known reason. Yes, colic does not indicate that the baby is sick. Health wise, I would dare say the parents are more at risk then the baby because they would be suffering from exhaustion, sleep deprivation and trying hard not to lose their mind.
Babies cry for all sorts of reasons. That’s why some parents, especially new parents, wonder if their baby really has colic or their baby is just fussy. Parents that have had colicky babies before will assure you that it’s hard to NOT know. Colic crying sounds slightly different from baby’s cry for food or diaper change. The intensity is greater. It’s more of a piercing, high pitched scream rather then normal crying. Plus, it can last for hours. Baby is inconsolable. You’ll also notice other symptoms such as flushed cheeks, distended abdomen, clenched fists and legs drawn up to their stomachs. Colic usually begins when baby is around 3 weeks old. About 3-4 months old, the colic will start to disappear. Most people report evenings as being the worse time. But not every colicky baby is the same. Some cry anytime or even worse, all the time.
So, is there a way for parents to get rid of baby’s colic and regain back their sanity? We look to doctors to provide some kind of medical relief, but in the case of colic, there is not much they can do for you. The reason for this is because the medical world is still searching for the root cause of colic. There are multiple theories floating out there. Which one is the right one, no one can say for sure. Widely accepted is the idea that baby’s pain is caused by built up gas in the tummy. Other’s say it’s baby still adapting to their new environment. There’s also the possibility that the problem lies in the milk powder being consumed. No one can say which one is for certain the right answer. Thus, if you seek a colic baby remedy, you may have to try several solutions before you find one that works.
Below are some ideas that others have tried. Whether it works or not depends on the baby. Hopefully you hit the jackpot and baby responds well to your solutions.
1. Swaddling baby
2. Carrying baby around in a sling
3. Massage techniques
4. Have baby listen to white noise like the sound of vacuum or hair dryer.
5. Use a pacifier. Some people may not agree with this idea but if it can restore back some peace into your life, why not?
6. Go for a car ride and have baby enjoy the vibrations.
7. Calm baby with a relaxing warm bath.
8. Change baby’s surroundings by taking baby out of the house.
9. Use the power of music. If you can’t sing, get a nice CD.
Well, those are ideas on how to pacify the baby. Let’s now consider solutions to help the parents. What are ideas to soothe the parent’s nerves? The first step is to stop blaming yourself. Don’t feel like you are a bad parent because you can’t console your baby. Also, don’t be stubborn and refuse help from others. Engage the help of your spouse, church members, neighbours, friends, family and maybe even a baby sitter. Also, it’s okay to let baby cry it out for a few minutes while you go into another room to calm your frazzled nerves. Do not neglect your own well being. Don’t feel like you are being selfish for doing so. If you feel empty inside, you cannot be the best parent that you can be. Reach out to other parents that have to survive colic days too. I’m sure you’ll find some in your community, if not try searching the internet. It helps to know that you are not the only one having to face this problem.
I’m sure many people have tried to comfort you by saying that these challenging colic days will soon be over. However, I know the day of “liberation” just can’t come fast enough. You may think you have tried everything, but look here for one more colic baby remedy you must try. As a parent, you mustn’t give up trying.
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