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Unhappiness Comes in Pairs: Treating Colic

by kate baggott on June 13th, 2006

Does this news from USA Today’s Health Scout surprise anyone?

• New moms with colicky babies are more likely to suffer from postpartum depression than other new moms, a new study shows.
• Researchers from Brown Medical School and the Rhode Island Department of Health analyzed data collected from more than 2,900 new mothers.
• They found that 19 percent reported moderate to severe symptoms of postpartum depression, and 8 percent reported that their babies were difficult to console. Mothers who reported postpartum depression were more than twice as likely to report difficult-to-console babies, and mothers with inconsolable babies were more than two times as likely to report depression.

Babies with colic tend to start crying just as parents want to settle down for the evening and, once they start, it can by a cycle of crying refreshed with mini-naps during which parents cannot rest. But even new babies without colic tend to cry from 7 to 11 pm, which my midwife called The Crying Hours. Colic often goes on to 2 or 3 in the morning. While colic is a usually worst from the ages of 6 weeks to four months, there are cases that go one for six months.

I hate writing about babycare because what works for me, may not work for you. I can justify this post because crying babies cause their mothers anxiety, sleeplessness and now PPD.

Colic is basically stomach pain and there are a few ways to deal with it.

1. If the source of the colic is gas, then gas drops apparently help. I’ve never used them, but other mothers swear by them. I use fennel tea instead of gas drops. I gave the baby a teaspoon before each feeding. Other women swear by circular belly massage with olive oil or other food oils that are non toxic. My kids both found this annoying, but my babies are not your babies and one of your’s might love it while another hates it.

2. To prevent gas from getting trapped, may sure your baby gets tummy time. Spread a blanket on the floor and — when the baby is awake — put them down on their belly. Since most babies are used to being on their backs, they often hate tummy time, so start within the first few days of life. If you’re reading this later, you might have to get down there with them and talk and play. Even if they hate it and complain, complain, complain, put up with it for at least ten minutes twice a day. Not only does it help release gas, but it encourages development of the neck and back muscles.

3. If your baby has colic, you might feel you have to nurse on demand. If this is you and nursing doesn’t stop the crying, stop. Get the baby on a three hour schedule by increasing the amount of time between feeds by fifteen minutes. I am not suggestiong that you starve the baby. Imagine having acid from something you ate, but because eating feels good, you eat more. Feeding on demand can be like that. When you’re a breastfed baby, you eat Christmas dinner at every meal. Imagine eating a feast and topping up the space in your stomach ever half hour.

4. Every minute that a baby cries can feel like half an hour. Especially when you’re tired, a baby’s cry can inspire a heart-pounding anxiety attack.

When you’re feeling frantic because of the crying, put the baby in another room either in a crib or strapped into the car seat on the floor and close the door for five minutes. Get a drink of water, take ten deep breaths, close your eyes and try to see the funny side of this (exhaustion can be a bit like being drunk so it might not be too hard).
Once you’re back on track, you can try to console the poor baby again. Remember, always, it isn’t you. Your baby is not crying because you aren’t loving enough or kind enough. His or her belly hurts. If you could take it away, you would, but you are only human.

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POSTED IN: Baby Care, Mental Health