Let’s face it. We all need help sometimes. Especially in finding any way to help with our kids. That’s why we put together this first installment of Parenting go-to’s. Hopefully these Go-To’s help you out as they have so many others!
Parenting Go-To #1. You and your colicky baby
We have all been there, you bring home your this sweet little baby that is so perfect. How could they do any wrong? Then out of nowhere, the baby is crying uncontrollably and suddenly you find yourself with a little human that is making it known that there is a problem.
So you go through the normal checklist:
Food…check
Diaper changed…Check
Make sure nothing is pinching…Check
But the baby is still crying. Now what. Maybe your baby has colic.
What is colic you ask?
Colic is when a healthy baby cries a lot for a longer time than most babies. All newborns cry and get fussy sometimes. During the first 3 months of life, they cry more than at any other time.
Sometimes being colicky has no rhyme or reason. It just is. I had 3 children, and 2 out of my 3 had colic. My daughter’s time was from 11pm – 1 am. My sons was from, well, all the time…from about 7pm till ?? It did pass, but it seems like an eternity – especially when you are tired from lack of sleep.
I recommend that you discuss your baby’s behavior with your doctor to make sure there is nothing wrong besides colic. Make sure to discuss with them any remedies you are trying.
Here are some things that can help while you go through this time:
Remain calm
Babies can easily pick up on any stress you feel. If they feel the crying is making you anxious, they don’t say “Okay I will stop crying,” instead it can make them harder to calm. Make a plan with your spouse and family. When you start feeling tense or overwhelmed from the crying, then it’s time for someone else to take a turn. I have gone to several friend’s houses and just bounced on an exercise ball for an hour with the baby to give mom a break, or to get things done during this time. Something about the bouncing of the exercise ball soothes the baby, and as a bonus you build and awesome core!
If you are a nursing mom look at what you are eating
It is helpful to take moment and review what you are eating. There are several foods that can cause baby’s little tummies to hurt. Dairy, broccoli, cauliflower, caffeine, sugar, spicy foods, pizza.
Over the counter products
Gripe water…..is amazing! A few drops of this and it settles the stomach.
Infant probiotics this helps build your little ones GI system.
Creating a bed time routine
Even at a young age a bedtime routine can help. A bedtime routine looks like giving a bath, putting baby in clean pj’s, lowering the lights, and limiting the overstimulation that can be around. The book Baby Wise give great ideas on how to create a healthy bedtime routine with your newborn.
Remember that Colic is just temporary and usually subsides around 3 months.
You can do this!
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