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Colic Tips
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Tip
#1
My daughter
had colic for the first 3 months of her life. We also gave her the gas
drops. Other things that seemed to work for us were holding her in front
of us facing out with our arms around her middle area. We had to do this
for several hours every evening and walk around with her. She seemed to
like the pressure on her belly and the constant motion. As long as we held
her like this and walked around with her she was ok , if we stopped this
(any aspects) then she would get that inconsolable cry. You know what that
cry is like. Basically that is the only thing that worked for us. We tried
the car rides, swing and a carriage ride, and none of them worked for us.
Our pediatrician suggested one of those bouncy seats with the vibrating
action. That worked occasionally to give us a break now and then. One thing
that I can recommend is get some one to help you out. Some one that can
come over now and then to give you a break during the "witching hours".
And let this person take right over and you go take a walk or try to relax
in the tub, what ever, as long as you get a break. I know right now it
seems like this is going to go on forever, but it won't. Sooner than you
think you will slowly realize that it's not quite as bad as it was and
then before you know it , it will be all over.
Tip #2
I finally
in desperation, purchased one of those "baby don't cry" audio tapes that
has the heartbeat in the background. It worked like a charm for her. The
music would calm her anytime and it was the one thing that finally made
bedtime tolerable for all of us.
Tip #3
We went through
the soy's, the Nutramigens, Progestrimals and such and nothing worked until
a doctor, using his own solution with his kids, put him on Evaporated milk.
This was mixed (one can) with enough water to make one quart and was a
life saver! In addition, when he was little, we would lay him on his tummy
on the dryer within a mat with cylinders on each side that prevented rolling
off and turned the dryer on. The heat and constant motion comforted him
and he was then able to sleep for two hours or so in peace. As he got older,
we would put him in his baby swing chair and set this on top of the dryer.
My dad would get a kick out of this and often ask, "What cycle is he on
today!!!"
Tip #4
If at all
possible to get a friend or family member to help out and give you a well
needed rest by all means seek it out. My son would continually cry from
6-6 in the beginning, and the stress of it left me razzled and him uncomfortable.
One day, as my husband came home from work, I handed a screaming baby to
him and my oldest son and I left for 3 hours. We were able to relax and
come back into the situation "refreshed" and this in turn helped the baby
relax a bit. Incidently, when I put the baby in my husband's arms,
he relaxed and fell asleep! The little rascal!! ;-)
Tip #5
The only thing
that helped was going for a ride in the stroller from about 5 to 7 in the
evening. She wouldn't take a pacifier, no way Jose! We also went through
all the different formulas. Luckily my brother moved in with us so I could
sleep at night as my husband traveled during the week. There is a book
called CryBaby which is great and very supportive.
Tip #6
The last tip
mentioned a good book to help parents with fussy babies. Dr Sears' Fussy
Baby Book helped us a lot. It doesn't give miracle cures, but it helps
parents to understand better what's happening with their baby and how to
cope with the stress of a constantly crying baby. Not only does this help
your nerves, it does great things for your baby when you are more at ease.
Dr Sears believes firmly in attachment parenting so he recommends loads
and loads of 'in arm' time for your baby. As tired as your arms may get,
I can say from experience that a little barracuda can turn into a cotton-candy
princess with enough love and patience. Everyone who's dealing with colic/fussy
baby, hang in there. It will get better.
Tip #7
Our first
son had colic for four months! Our second son who has BWS has been
an absolute angel-slept through the night at six weeks!! Go figure! Some
colic suggestions-warm bath, hold them facing out, if nursing, make sure
your baby empties each breast to ensure that your baby gets both the first
milk and the hind milk which aids in digestion. What worked for our first
son was switching his formula to Prosobee-a soy formula. It changed him
overnight!!! Good luck!
Tip #8
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