Talk to me about colic

MissMheMhe · January 2016

I'm sitting here in tears as I type this because I can't believe the sound coming out of my little guy right now. He is completely inconsolable. DH just took him for a car ride to see if that will calm him down any. I've done a bit of research and it seems that colic can start at about the 3 week mark and last until 6ish months. Thursday night was rough...4-5 hours of crying that nothing but time would fix. Finally he passed out and we were able to sleep, but tonight is much worse, probably because his cry is becoming more efficient.
What are your tips for coping with a colicky baby? We've tried swaddling, which he hates. We've tried white noise as well as a vibrating chair. When we change positions he settles down for a couple minutes then goes right back to screaming. I'm pretty sure he isn't hungry. He might be gassy from all the crying as he does burp while we try to console him, but releasing the gas doesn't seem to help.
I know if he does have colic, that we've got a potentially long road ahead of us. My mom doesn't have any advise as neither my sister or I were colicky. My MIL is full of useless advise (she said she started giving my BIL cereal at about a month old and put him on his tummy at night and that cured his colic). If only it were that simple.

ChrissyD1203 · January 2016

I don't know if my baby has colic but the two things that help crazy gassy crying sessions are the dr Sears football hold (look up the YouTube video) and bouncing with her on an exercise ball while putting pressure on / rubbing her butt. I got my ball for $12 at TJ Maxx and it's a lifesaver.

knoble91 · January 2016

When my little guy is like that, we have drops we give him to help get his gas up. Works like a charm!

danasphillips · January 2016

Colic seems to be a blanket term that's used to describe super fussy babies when all other options have been exhausted. DS was "diagnosed" with colic after the reflux meds we were sure would fix his crying were a bust. Turns out he actually had multiple food allergies and MSPI, which was making him miserable. I adjusted my diet (BFing) and he was a different baby. Not saying that's the case here, just wanted to share my experience. You can also try things like Colic Calm, gripe water, and "The Hold." If nothing works Google "Period of Purple crying."

rah938 · January 2016

Will echo ruling out cows milk allergy. My first had it and eliminating dairy from my diet worked within a few days. You can also try nutramigen or alimentum if using formula. We've also had some success with Colief drops and gerber soothe drops (a probiotic with some studies in colicky babies).
Hang in there--my second son was so bad I couldn't set him down. However, 6 months isn't average if that makes you feel any better at all--usually colic just stops like a light switch flipped around 3 months.

MissMheMhe · January 2016

Thanks all. Dairy is out already as i am allergic so it's not part of my diet. We've been lying him on his tummy while we rub and pat his back and that seems to help a little.

Cejiml · January 2016

We have been doing white noise like all day. Also laying him on his belly on my lap. He really likes to be held so holding and walking. I feel for you though. This not knowing is crazy!

Wine baby- Wondering about your baby's food allergies. Dr put us on reflux meds on Thursday and things were good until Saturday. Now he is back to being fussy again. BF. Took milk out and he said eggs, soy, and wheat. Wondering was it everything or just dairy?

danasphillips · January 2016

Cejiml said:
We have been doing white noise like all day. Also laying him on his belly on my lap. He really likes to be held so holding and walking. I feel for you though. This not knowing is crazy!

Wine baby- Wondering about your baby's food allergies. Dr put us on reflux meds on Thursday and things were good until Saturday. Now he is back to being fussy again. BF. Took milk out and he said eggs, soy, and wheat. Wondering was it everything or just dairy?

DS was allergic to wheat, dairy, peanut, sesame, and egg and intolerant to soy. He is 4 now and has outgrown all but wheat, peanut, and sesame. I definitely suggesting googling "elimination diet" and starting from there if you are unsure! It's difficult at first but was so relieving to finally have some answers (and a happy baby!). Now that he's older he gets bloodwork done yearly to test his allergies.

PedsIsHardcore · January 2016

You may be experiencing the period of purple crying. So here is some info about it to hopefully help. The hospital is supposed to give out education materials because during the period of purple crying is when babies are at higher risk for abuse and to have shaken baby syndrome as a result. It can seem
https://purplecrying.info/what-is-the-period-of-purple-crying.php

teachmegs817 · January 2016

I have never heard of purple crying. Very interesting to listen to. Currently we are experiencing some changes with LO as we stopped giving breastmilk and have begun formula. He's been having some digestive issues and we are now trying out formula number 3. So far, I've been associating all of his crying, straining, and irritable behavior to not being able to poop and being gassy. I wonder if any of it has to do with purple crying.

PedsIsHardcore · January 2016

It's something I know we do in the US. I apologize for those that aren't in the US. I thought maybe it was more wide spread.
@teachmegs817It could most definitely be from the formula. My DD1 was on Enfamil Infant, then Enfamil Gentelease and finally Enfamil A.R. If he is having a hard time with digestive issues, that's what I would think first. It took my DD1 about a week to see results from the Enfamil A.R. so sounds normal to me for a baby with digestive issues since that's what DD1 was doing. We were doing gas drops, burping and putting her in her swing to she could sit up 30 minutes to an hour after each feeding but she was so miserable it didn't seem to help until she was used to the Enfamil A.R. Poor kiddo! Hopefully he starts feeling better soon!

perfectlyawful · January 2016

Research probiotics for babys for colic

erynashlee · January 2016

ive recently had my 3wk old fussy and straining to go to the bathroom and pass gas with a hard sensative to touch tummy, i went ahead and looked on youtube for any kind of rubs to help his tummy and the videos there helped him alot.. today hes passed alot of gas from both ends and is alot ALOT calmer.

Rachel*Neocate · January 2016

I agree with PP that it could be something in your diet.. in know you've said you already do not eat anything containing dairy, but have you tried removing soy as well? Half of all babies how have trouble with dairy cannot tolerate soy because their proteins are very similar. Colic behaviors can sometimes be a symptom of a food intolerance/allergy in a LO.

Rachel*Neocate · January 2016

https://www.neocate.com/blog/its-not-just-colic/

hnull · January 2016

I'm from the February group- but have you tried gas drops or gripe water? My sister used them when her daughter was a newborn and they both worked very well. She uses for gas but gripe water is all natural and used for
colicy babies and gas drops are also recommended for colic I believe. Good luck!

hnull · January 2016

@teachmegs817 sounds like my niece my sister ended up changing formulas several
times as well- gerber smooth start is what worked for my niece and it seemed like within a few days of being on it she was a new baby. Also gas drops and gripe water!!

saraawlbr · January 2016

I'm not sure if my baby is colicky or maybe just constipated or what the problem is but, she won't settle unless she's in her swing or being rocked. We've had to give in and let her pass out in her swing before moving her to her bassinet. But, should this continue to go on I'm worried it'll make it near impossible for her to go to sleep without the swing. Sorry if this question makes no sense in this thread but, I wasn't sure where else to ask.

UptownPearl · January 2016

saraawlbr said:

I'm not sure if my baby is colicky or maybe just constipated or what the problem is but, she won't settle unless she's in her swing or being rocked. We've had to give in and let her pass out in her swing before moving her to her bassinet. But, should this continue to go on I'm worried it'll make it near impossible for her to go to sleep without the swing. Sorry if this question makes no sense in this thread but, I wasn't sure where else to ask.

I wouldn't worry about trying to train her or creating bad habits at such a young age. Do what you and your LO need to get both of you some sleep. Have you ever heard of the 4th trimester? It's basically the period of time after birth where your baby is trying to adjust to being outside the womb, but not quite ready for the real world yet. They want to still feel like they're in the womb (white noise, warmth, secure, movement), but it's just a phase that they will grow out of. If you can get your LO to sleep and successfully transfer her to sleep in her bassinet then consider yourself ahead of the game.

btw happiest baby on the block suggests swaying as one of the 5 soothing techniques for babies so I think rocking your baby or putting her in the swing would be recommended if you were asking for ways to calm her

MissMheMhe · January 2016

saraawlbr said:

I'm not sure if my baby is colicky or maybe just constipated or what the problem is but, she won't settle unless she's in her swing or being rocked. We've had to give in and let her pass out in her swing before moving her to her bassinet. But, should this continue to go on I'm worried it'll make it near impossible for her to go to sleep without the swing. Sorry if this question makes no sense in this thread but, I wasn't sure where else to ask.

I would be so happy if DS liked his swing! Only way he sleeps is in someones arms, and he wakes up minutes after putting him down in his swing, bassinet, crib, bouncy, etc. The only way I've gotten him to stay asleep is to put him tummy down on his boppy pillow, and I stay right at his side.

JanMommy2under2 · February 2016

my first had colic for 4 months. to calm him id either take baths with him with the fan on or let him sleep on his tummy on the couch next to me. he always wanted to be held or he would cry every evening from 6-9pm like clock work.

Blueyedsky · February 2016

Gas drops and baby zantac solved my baby's colic

not that that is everyone's problem, but worth a try!!

MissMheMhe · February 2016

We've been using the gas drops and I can't exactly tell if they are helping. I picked up some gripe water yesterday and gave him some when he started getting fussy. I'm sure it was just coincidence, but last night was our worst night yet. He cried from about 7:30pm to almost 2am, unless he was on my breast. Finally calmed down enough at 2 and was knocked out by 2:15.

LNic5 · February 2016

chiropractor!! I know it sounds scary but both my sister and I had colic as babies and that's what was suggested to my mother...it only took maybe 3 visits and the colic was gone

mahlod · February 2016

sorry I am completely out of topic.

Ameehan81592 · February 2016

I would be so happy if DS liked his swing! Only way he sleeps is in someones arms, and he wakes up minutes after putting him down in his swing, bassinet, crib, bouncy, etc. The only way I've gotten him to stay asleep is to put him tummy down on his boppy pillow, and I stay right at his side.

This is exactly what I'm dealing with. I feel like she's spoiled already and I don't want her to always be like this but I need some sleep sometimes. And the last 3 nights she's been starting to do that inconsolable scream. The first night was honestly the worst, not that the last two have been great or anything. I just don't know what to do for her and I feel so bad cuz I get so frustrated with her. My boyfriend hates that she won't sleep by herself cuz the only way I can get sleep is if I prop myself up in bed and have her sleep on my chest. It's scary but her basinette is pulled up right next to my side and he's on his he other. And my senses are so high that any little move she makes I wake up like a hawk. I just wish I could console her and she wouldn't scream like that

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