Thursday, March 3, 2011

Colic: The Bane of My Existence


My first child - Little Miss - was colicky (purple crying) from 3 weeks to 4 months old...every night from 6pm-9pm she would scream. My husband and I became a great tag-team! And we managed to make it through with our sanity in tact...most of the time.

{colic: a condition in which an otherwise healthy baby cries or screams frequently and, for extended periods, without any discernible reason. The condition typically appears within the first two weeks of life and almost invariably disappears, often very suddenly, before the baby is three to four months old, but can last up to 12 months of life. It is equally common in bottle-fed and breastfed babies. The crying often increases during a specific period of the day, particularly the early evening.}

So at Mr. Man's 2 week check up a couple of weeks ago the pediatrician mentioned that colic runs in families...if you've had a child with colic, it's more likely that your other children will have it as well...hmm...can't say I was thrilled to hear that news. And it was news - that is something I've never heard before. But, I am here to attest, it is true. Has anyone else heard that before?

Mr. Man started showing signs of mild colic about a week ago. And every night it seems to get a little worse. He is no where near the level Little Miss was at, and I'm hoping it doesn't progress to that point. Right now he is fairly content - or at least not screaming - if one of us is holding and rocking/bouncing him for the dreaded bewitching hour.

So...do I just make really fussy babies or what!? I know colic just happens and there is nothing we can do about it. Just wait it out. But I've heard 3 possible fixes I'm willing to try this time around...
  • Cut dairy out of my diet entirely (since he's nursing)
  • Cut chocolate out of my diet entirely (again with the nursing)
  • Take him to a chiropractor who specializes in babies
What have you heard? Do any of these actually work? Or are there any other things I should try? I'll deal with colic for the next 3 months if I have to - but I sure am willing to put some of these myths to the test!

6 comments:

  1. Lucas was only a little colicky but I cut chocolate and dairy out for a while and it really helped. I knew he was gassy when he would cry because I could feel his tummy rumbling and cutting out dairy really helped his gas. It was hard because dairy seems to be in everything but for me it was worth it not to have a child in pain and screaming. Good luck! Hopefully it helps.

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  2. I did the no milk thing for a few months with my baby. It definitely helped! Plus I lost quite a bit of weight since I didn't have the cheese and ice cream. :) Her doctor told me that babies who don't handle milk well will usually also have a problem with soy. So get almond or rice milk instead of the soy milk.

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  3. Colic ran through my babies too and right out again. So this is the secret that I discovered with my 5th baby. Usually around seven at night is when it would start. I would tell everyone ahead of time that I was going into my room with the baby and to not disturb me for anything. Then I would lay on the bed and hold my baby firmly in the nursing position with their Binky in and they would have a little tense fight going on but I would hold them still like that anyway and then I would make my body completely relax. And in a bit the baby's body would also start to relax and the colic spell would be over. They oftentimes would pass gas when relaxed. It worked and by nine o'clock I would put them carefully in the crib and quietly sneak out of the room.
    Love,
    Grammy T.

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  4. I don't have any good advice for colic, but I do remember when my son was little and I thought he had it. When I read that it could last for months I cried because I didn't know how I was going to deal with it. Luckily he didn't have colic.

    Good luck with everything. And hopefully you find something that works for you1

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  5. I wrote this long post with all sorts of helps from our days with a "little miss" and the internet ate it!

    So, is a nutshell:

    Probiotics (http://www.colichelp.com/shop/biogaia-probiotic-drops.html).

    Bouncer. Gotta have the head bobbin. You'll have to bounce it with your hand or feet and you'll be glued to it so get a good book, but if that head is bobbin, she'll likely be quiet.

    White noise to help with feeding time if colic is interrupting it.

    Ask your chiropractor to show you where the colon is. The way it's shaped can cause gas to get hung up. I would tap on the tummy and it seemed to help. Even the older kids like it.

    Side note: my kids were all on elemental formula for milk protein/soy allergies and the last one still had colic. So I can't testify to the efficacy of an elimination diet. But, it's worth a shot.

    I feel your pain. I think I actually had a post called "The Bane of My Existence" during the colic phase in our life, too. Having been there, I can't really offer any feely good advice because it really is a test of patience and toughing it out. You already know that on the other side is a happy, smiley lovely baby. I'll be sending good vibes your way.

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  6. i sure hope the reverse is true too, because jace wasn't colicky at all and i don't think i'm a trouper like you are! i'd go nuts.

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