Colic is Not Cool
Wednesday marks KIA's 6 week mark. So far we have been doing much reflecting on how wonderful the birth experience was.
We feel KIA was lucky to be born in such a calm environment free of bright lights, frantic unfamiliar doctors, unnecessary medicines and monitors, and plastic/paper disposable sheets (we filled a bout 1/2 of a small garbage bag of garbage for the whole birth). With such a calm entry into the world, one would think KIA's temperament to also be calm. Well, I guess it doesn't work that way.The last couple of weeks we have been dealing with some pretty intense periods of colic. She is a very healthy baby. Breastfeeding is going well. We've been avoiding the foods that sometimes make breast milk undesirable. But usually around evening, anywhere from 6pm-2am, KIA becomes a bright-eyed, stiff-limbed, arm flailing, and all around not happy baby. We can usually get her to stop screaming by swaddling her, rocking her, pacing with her, and playing some music, but sleep is not on her agenda. Even if she does doze off, it's usually only for a couple minutes. Then she wakes up with a jerk sending her arms in the air. It's weird.
Yesterday we even surrendered and bought one of those electric swings because constantly rocking her in the rocking chair was becoming too tiring. I never thought that I would buy one of those. I also thought they used to have swings that one cranked to create the power, but the only types we saw were electric or battery operated. The one we purchased even has a moving mobile of little stuffed jungle animals while it plays jungle versions of Lullaby and Goodnight, Greensleeves, and a something that reminds me of a Velvet Underground tune, all played on xylophones and rainsticks. I know it's a bit much, but when one hasn't had a decent nights sleep for weeks, a sense of desperation kicks in. This is her first evening in the swing, and while she seems fairly calm in it, she keeps waking up and crying for a little while. (This post is taking forever to write because I keep trying to comfort her when she wakes).
The other thing that seems to soothe her are car rides. I really don't want to go for a late night cruise, wasting gas and venturing out on desserted highways with below zero temps, but if it saves me my sanity, who knows.
I find it odd that no one really knows what causes colic. I mean, KIA does not seem like she's in pain at all. It almost seems like she's pissed that she's in an infants body. She moves her arms around like she's expecting to have total control of them or something. I also wonder if she's caring some heavy baggage from her past life. Maybe this crazy world just takes some getting used to. Whatever the case, colic is not cool.
Labels: Baby
posted by BurdockBoy @ 10:34 PM
24 comments
24 Comments:
I am the farthest thing from a baby expert one could get (I don't even know what swaddle is, the baby lingo always mystefies me) but I do know that our nephew had this problem and it's finally gotten better recently (he was born around Thanksgiving) and he allows my sister in law and her husband to get their sleep now.
I guess the new parent stereotypes are there for a reason, the going long periods without decent sleep isn't true for all new parents, but it is for many.
By the way, I too haven't gotten decent sleep in ages, but I have no baby to blame. Either way, I know the hell sleep deprivation can be, I'm sorry you're experiencing it, but glad the baby is healthy and doing well otherwise. And, I'd love to see a photo of the swing you got her after reading your description.
And, p.s., the image you used fits the description in your post perfectly!
Driving around in a car sure helped my little one. I just put my grocery shopping of till nigthtime. She was looking at the shelfs with her big eyes, it was like magic. By the time we went home she was usually fast asleep and I just needed to take her really careful out of her seat and put her to bed.
Was also helped was letting her sleep in our bed. No need to worry, a mother just does NOT roll over her child and smoosh it.
I think those little beings are sometimes just scared and freigthened and need a lot of assurance. Its a rough and loud and scary world out here after growing for 9 months safely inside a womb.
I wonder about the "sleeping with baby" stereotypes as well. My first was colicky (never want to go through that again!); my 2nd didn't need it, she just constantly clung to me anyway; my 3rd slept with us and/or in our room, and still does occasionally at 9 yrs old (think nightmares and scary thunderstorms). I think we need a king-size bed.
Anyway, re - electric swings. On the one hand, they are using resources (batteries in particular irritate me). On the other hand, there was a definite frustration level to watching the child sleeping peacefully in the swing only to have the baby wake because the winding mechanism always seemed so *loud*!
Colic sucks indeed.
I thought I'd mention it just in case, my second one was colicky and cutting out all milk and dairy products (not even lactose free stuff) from my diet did the trick.
It's the first time I come across your blog so for all I know you could be vegan and the dairy thing wouldn't help.
Anyway, I could not read and not reply.
I cannot believe I missed the news! *blushes* Congratulations!
Those swings are a gift from the gods! We had a wind up one and when my daughter hit the 6-10 week period it was a life saver.
As for colic, apart from diet I also gave her a bit of fennel infusion, watered it down a bit. Also had a essential oil blend that I'd massage it on her belly. made from chamomile and lavender and a carrier oil (a few drops each of the oils into a 1/4c of olive oil, sunflower or sweet almond oil.
"This too shall pass"
Been there done that with one of mine. Sucks!
But here's a link to national public radio, they JUST had a small little segment on colic the other day when I was listening:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7238059
Don't beat yourself up over the swing,ok? They really do sooth fussy babies so why,after trying everything else,wouldn't you resort to one? It's not like your going to outfit a nursery in all the latest gadgets.:)
I promise she'll get settled at some point in her little life,it won't last forever. In the meantime your doing a great job fulfilling her needs.
A warm bath sometimes helped mine. I know that bathing a stiff, screaming baby isn't easy but it did seem to be calming if only temporarily so!
We got a swing, too, even though I still think it was a waste of money. LOL My husband really wanted it, and although she wasn't completely soothed by it, as she got older, it did give him 15-20 minutes of quiet, and she was up higher to watch us (otherwise, she was just on the floor). Anyway, about the colic--Maggie wasn't colicky, but she sure wasn't happy in the evenings. And, because you said yours is also just in the evenings, it might be the same problem we had. I'd heard lots of babies were like that in the evening, so we put up with it. Until we finally figured out the problem was that we were putting her to bed FAR too late. She was ready for bed at, get this, 4:30 pm. We figured this out by laying her down ASAP when we noticed the slightest sign of tiredness. First night, 7:30. Then 7, then 6:15, etc. She slept from 4:30-around midnight for a feeding, then another few hours for another feeding. Before, her bedtime was 8pm, but it took at least an hour for her to relax after we went upstairs and it was just horrible (plus, she'd been fussy all evening as well--her last nap was like 4 hours before bedtime). (Relatedly, she also slept a lot during the day--we watched closely for signs of tiredness then, too. My favorite baby book is Dr. Weisbluth's Heathy Sleep Habits, Happy Baby.)
I sometimes think the doc diagnoses colic when they really have no freaking idea what's wrong. It's not like the good old days, when docs told moms to sedate the babies to save their sanity... I was colicky as a baby and that's what my mom did to me... explains a lot, really.
This may not be relevant to your case, but both of my kids had similar problems, and it turns out that they have/had gastric reflux, since they would cry and spit up a lot. We put them both on medication for it, and it's helped... and it's something they usually outgrow by the time the they hit 2 years at the latest. Our kids didn't like sleeping flat on their back, since it would aggravate the reflux, forcing them to spit up all over themselves. They slept a lot in swings or in their carseat bucket for a few months until they were old enough to sleep on their bellies, which is what both of them naturally prefer. Keeping them elevated seemed to help, and now both of them sleep normally.
Unhappy babies in the middle of the night are not fun. You have my sympathy, and I hope things work themselves out soon.
M:
I have been learning new lingo myself. I had no idea what swaddling was, but I learned it is when you keep the babies arms close to her body, similar to in the womb. It keeps the arm flailing to a minimum.
I had trouble sleeping in te past also, but before KIA was born I was actually sleeping well. I'm still optomistic that things will improve.
If you want to see the hideous swing here is a picture.
Mone:
Yeah shopping at night is a good idea. When we bought the swing we took a drive over to Minnesota in the evening. She seemed a bit overwhelmed in the store. It was the first time she had been anywhere other than little shops. When we got home she was asleep and slept well that night.
I think you're totally right about needing assurance because they are out of the womb, I'm sure some babies are more sensitive than others.
Caroline:
Luckily our swing is electric or battery operated. Since we buy renewable energy I don't feel as guilty, because yeah batteries are gross. Sometimes the winding noise might be good for colicky babies. KIA likes the sound of the washer.
We did the family bed thing for awhile, but she sleeps better in her Amby Baby because she often wakes up when we move around. The hard part is getting her to sleep.
Malva:
Thanks for commenting. Moh, my partner, did try to eliminate dairy, but it didn't seem to help. She really only eats yougurt anyhow. If it is a food thing, it sure has us stumped.
Stephanie:
Yep. She was born Jan 3rd. I have a couple posts back in mid January.
We have tried "Gripe water" which has fennel, ginger, and chammomile. It seems to help if she's gassy, but for the regular fits, no. We've tried the oil on the stomach thing too, but in the past that really freaked her out. Sigh. Right now the swing is king
Monica:
I know you are right. It will pass.
I couldn't get the NPR program to play. I want to hear it so I'll try later thanks.
Kim:
Thanks. If I would have known we were going to need one I would have tried to get one used. Oh well, I'll have a nice swing to pass on to some other parent in need.
Willow:
Thanks. I have heard baths can help. We haven't tried it yet, because it has been so cold at night. Still I guess we could give her a little hot water bath in front of the fire. We'll see.
Annmarie:
Thanks for the book recommendation. I'll check it out.
So far I'm pleased with the swing, but whether it is worth it has yet to be seen.
I'm not sure if putting her to bed early would help or not. Her schedule just seems so irregular. We've tried keeping her awake in the day, but she often sleeps. It will take some effort to form a rhythm. I will try putting her in her bed if she seems tired. Maybe it will help.
Bart:
People used to do a lot with kids in the "good ol days" I used to get Peppermint Schnapps for cough syrup.
I'm not sure if they have reflux, but perhaps the elevated seats from the car seat and swing is what helps sooth her. I guess we will have to do more observing. Thanks.
My little guy had colic too. It was so rough. You, as a parent, feel so helpless since nothing seems to alleviate the crying.
It is hard.
My little guy also suffered from reflux which I found out later was triggered by sensitivity to dairy and soy in my diet. When I eliminated dairy and soy his reflux and colic started to disappear. I had to eliminate even hidden sources of dairy/soy in my diet or else it would reappear with a vengeance.
I too, often wonder if the general colic is simply related to frustration and feelings of being overwhelmed.
Check out this link: Colic and the Breastfed Baby.
It gets better, but it is so tough in the first few months.
Ahh, good luck! I am also no baby expert, but I've heard of people having good luck with swings. Also the idea of possible gastric reflux or other issues that doctors just diagnos as colic. Search the mommyblogs again, I say! There's so much out there.
If you're feeling bad about battery use, try using rechargables with a small solar charger! Or just don't worry about it in the grand scheme of things... I'm sure your footprint is so much smaller than normal already, it won't matter much.
Again, good luck!
It will only last a month or so. Good luck Burdock.
I didn't go threw colic either one of my boys.
One of my sister in laws did and it about drove her nuts.
One day the local hospital called and wondering were their payment was and the kid was screaming his lungs out and she was at her wits in.
And told the person on the other end the baby was poses by the devil and come and get him.
Never once again heard back from the hospital.
I never had a swing but I can see how it will give baby entertainment and mommy and daddy a peace of mind.
Is baby doing a full burp. My oldest one never had a quite burp and when he burped it was widely heard.
During breast feeding might unhook and burp and at end of feeding burp again.
I know long ago and probley my day when babies had colic they were given a little mint of mint candy in their water bottle.
Don't be afraid to ask for help and lot of parenting is trail and error.
Jenny:
Thanks for the link. I noticed she recommended laying off dairy for 7-10 days. I'm not sure moh tried it that long. Perhaps we'll give it another go.
I'm glad to hear other people had colicky babies (not that I'm glad they had to suffer through it, but it is fairly common).
GTR:
We may have to look into this reflux a little more-I'm getting a lot of suggestions.
Also with our swing, it has an adaptor for the wall (that's why I was willing to pay a bit extra). Plus we buy renewable energy so I feel a little extra electricty is fine. I feel worse about shopping for a new item at T*rget.
Toby:
Thanks. I just hope she isn't some frantic toddler as well. Oh and you'll be pleased to hear she likes the Dead. I put on Jack-A-Row tonight during a fit and she was immediately quiet and content.
Peppylady: If I were the hospital I probably wouldn't call back either :)
The swing seems to really help. It keeps her calm, even though you can see in her eyes that she's on the verge of freaking.
She's been burping well, but sometimes she does spit up after she burps. Maybe the reflux thing is something....
Thanks for stopping by.
I also heard that the fennel infusion works well, but I have no experience. Good luck. I hope it doesn't last long.
Happy Valentines Day Sweetie ♥♥♥
Wow. I commiserate. We had bloody poops with my kid so I went vegan and soy-free for a time and it stopped. What can I say but babies are still "not all there," you know? They're still getting wired up, and that includes their little insides. It will pass, but do look into the dairy/soy connection.
FWIW, my kid liked being set atop the dryer in her bouncy seat.
Carla:
Thanks. I make look for a fennel tincture that's by itself.
Mone:
Thanks, and to you.
El:
Wow, bloody poops?
I thinks Moh is going to eliminate dairy and soy for a week or so and see what happens.
We have those efficient washer and dryers that are stacked. Maybe setting next to it would work.
Late on the conversation (as always!) Just wanted to add my 2 cents too!
All of ours have been different. The swing was a life saver for the first one. The others didn't like is so much.
Carrying them around in a sling always seemed to do the trick. You are still holding them, but it is not nearly as tiring. I would let them get good and sound in there (20 minutes)and then lay them down still cuddled in the sling.
With the last baby we borrowed a vibrating bassinet and that did wonders too. (a vibrating bouncy seat would do the trick too) She also liked "white noise" Running the sweeper, static on the radio, or wave type recordings helped keep her sleeping.
And yes it will pass. Around the two month mark mine all seemed to settle in better.
Ok more than my 2 cents but babies I actually do know something about! :)
Stephanie:
Thanks for sharing your change.
The swing has been a lifesaver the past couple of evenings. She's also been responding to music much more. The other night we took her out to hear a harp player. She perked up her ears, listened, and looked at the lights. I think she's going to be kid-about-town. She likes the going out scene. Uh Oh.
As for the sling, we haven't been very happy with ours thus far. She always looks so uncomfortable in it. Maybe we're not putting her in it right.
Oh so glad the swing is doing the trick!
As for the sling, when they are little the do look very scrunched in it, but when you compare it to the womb. . .
You should have said something. I just gave away my wind up swing.
I found white noise helped my little one sleep.
Post a Comment
<< Home