A colleague and I talked about soothing babies with colic over iced coffees at Kean Coffee last week. Both of us are currently working with families who have fussy babies, her as a newborn care specialist and me as a postpartum doula. We both noted how much more difficult colic is to cope with in the midst of and in the aftermath of Covid. Parents are having a more challenging time getting support from friends and family.
Babies cry because they need something, but figuring out what babies with colic need can feel like a case for Sherlock Holmes. You feed them, burp them, change them, check them over for anything and everything that could be causing discomfort, rock and soothe them, and still, they cry.
Not only is it stressful and overwhelming, but it can also be worrisome. Is there something physically wrong? Is this just what babies do? Are we feeding enough? Burping enough? Does my baby hate me?
What is infant colic?
It’s speculated that up to 20% of babies are colicky, but there is still very little known about what causes colic. Colic is defined as prolonged and intense crying over several weeks.
There are many theories about what causes or contributes to colic, including:
A digestive system that is not fully mature
Sensory overstimulation (bright lights, noises, textures, etc.)
Hormonal imbalances
Overfeeding or underfeeding
Gassiness
Allergies or sensitivities
Household tension or stress
What can you do if your baby has colic?
Often times we get calls from parents who have been struggling with colic for several weeks. They’ve been to their doctor, tried every trick from every blog post they can find, and taken all the advice their friends and family have offered, but nothing is working. By the time their Postpartum Doula or Newborn Care Specialist arrives, they’re exhausted, so we get to work.
If you only do one thing, we recommend getting help and support. Hire professional care like a postpartum doula or newborn care specialist, or have a friend or family member come and hold the baby so you can get some rest, eat a hot meal, and take a shower (if you can). None of us handle difficult situations well when we are hungry, tired, and haven’t had time to meet our own basic needs.
What a Postpartum Doula Does to Help When Your Baby Has Colic
Postpartum doulas make sure parents rest, eat, and have their basic needs met.
When your basic needs are met, you are better able to problem solve and learn new things about your baby. The beauty of postpartum support is that both parents can get the rest they need and even find some time for themselves and each other.
Postpartum doulas offer different techniques to soothe your baby.
There are so many ways to soothe a fussy baby. We simply need to find the one that works for your baby. Believe me! It’s easier when you are well-rested and have extensive experience.
To start, we find it helpful to create a calming environment complete with low lights, white noise, and very little stimulation.
We might try (or help you to try):
The colic hold or other colic carries
Swaddling – safe swaddling information HERE
Belly rubs
Movement techniques to release gas
Giving your baby a bath
A white noise machine
Rocking or bouncing baby
Babywearing
Recommending chiropractic care
What works today might not work tomorrow. In most cases, you’ll discover several different methods that consistently soothe your baby. You can rotate through those techniques once they are established.
When to see your doctor or pediatrician?
It’s a good idea to check in with your doctor if your baby is crying more than three hours a day, three days a week, for a period of three weeks.
Will the crying ever end?
Infant colic typically begins at two to three weeks of age, peaks at six weeks, and then starts to resolve when your baby is about three or four months old. It may be hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but for most babies colic does end. In the meantime, get support when and where you can. And trust that all the love you are giving your baby will help them grow into a happy, well-adjusted child.