Surviving Colic
by jmmillerAs if the sleepless nights and constant diaper changes weren’t enough, many parents also have to learn to deal with a baby who cries despite every effort to entertain, soothe, or calm them.
Babies who cry for at least 3 hours a day (usually in the evening) may have colic. This typically sets in between 3 and 6 weeks, and can test every last inch of a new parent’s patience. Colic usually disappears by the 3 month mark, but it can seem like an eternity!
Parents often feel that something must be wrong with their child, or even their parenting skills, when they can’t get their baby to stop crying. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Colic affects up to 25% of babies; for them, constant crying doesn’t indicate physical pain or emotional distress.
If you are unsure if your child has colic or if they may have an underlying medical problem, there are a few clues that can help you out. Colicky babies have healthy appetites and good sucking relexes, where sick babies may be unwilling or unable to feed. Colicky babies spit up like any other, but vomiting is a sign of sickness. Diarrhea is also not a sign of colic; if your baby has diarrhea they will need to be seen by a doctor.
To dispel an old wives tale, colic is rarely caused by a milk allergy. While experts are unsure of the cause, discovering that your baby has colic is not a reason to switch their formula or take them off of breastmilk.
Surviving your baby’s constant crying is really just a matter of learning how to deal with your baby, as each will respond differently to different measures. Some babies are soothed by long walks, others by going for a drive, and others still by constant rocking. While it certainly takes a lot out of you, remember that this will pass. You are doing a wonderful job!
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