We're still not sure if our son has colic or gas or what, but we've met with our medical people and read and tried a variety of things that have brought some relief, and they are:
1. Have all of our gas/colic/soothing supplies within arms reach (cuts down on parent stress and saves time!)
2. Have my husband, relative, friend help out by bringing meals, entertaining older toddler, straightening up the livingroom so it's not such a big mess. My husband is also sleeping with or watching over my toddler during the night and they are upstairs, while I am downstairs with the baby. I say don't let your pride or matyr-ness get in the way of asking for a hand...now's the time for some help! I try to make my husband feel very appreciated for his help.
3. Pay extra attention to diapering baby...stay right on top of it to decrease any uncomfort.
4. Continually reminding myself it's about the baby, not me, so while it's okay to acknowledge my frustration, I am trying not to focus so much on that as I am on building empathy for my son.
5. Do 1 or 2 things kid-free every day. Usually it involves a shower and a short walk.
6. As soon as my son seems like he's going to have one of his spells, I get right on it to decrease the chances of tension building. I also approach him with confidence and love, and say to him, "it's okay, son, momma's here, we'll get you fixed up", etc.
7. Pacifier - when he'll take it for soothing.
8. Burping - we're burping more often, especially with his use of a pacifier.
9. Swaddling - we fairly tightly wrap him up, sometimes allowing his hands out, just depends.
10. Rocking - fairly vigorous rocking.
11. Shhing - fairly loudly and long-sounding shhh, shhh, shhh sounds.
12. Leg Exercises - gently grabbing his legs and pulling them toward his chest, several x's.
13. Heating Pad or Rice Pillow - on the absolute lowest setting and with a blanket between it and the baby, we lay him stomach down across our lap, craddling his head and gently rubbing his back.
14. Music - While we rock, I play soothing lullabies or play XM Love Songs off the TV, and do the shhh thing at the same time.
15. Mylicon Gas Drops and/or Colic Calm (from coliccalm.com - has natural herbs for stomach calming) - when it seems his spell might be especially difficult, we give these before he's in a full upset.
16. Diet - I'm limiting dairy products from my diet.
17. Formula - We started him on Alimentum formula by Simelac for colic babies. It's spendy and stinky, but he's taking it and it seems to have helped. I'm also still breastfeeding and pumping.
18. Walking - We will walk all over the main level of the house if need be, but so far, rocking him seems to work just as well.
19. Sleeping - I usually have him sleeping in his little crib beside my bed, but if that just doesn't work, I put him beside me in bed. I also don't let him down to his crib until he is absolutely just in a deep sleep because he'll stay sleeping this way.
20. Momma Crying - Sometimes I just have a meltdown and need to cry and need the loving reassurance of my husband...that we're doing all we can and this will pass with time.
So far, we haven't needed to try much else, such as running water/vacuums, giving him a warm bath, using Levsin, using infant probiotics, changing bottle nipples, using a sling/frontpack, or going outside with him. From what I can tell, sometimes these work for babies, too, and if the weather cooperates (extremely mild and wind-free), I may take him outside.
I just wanted to post these things even though they may be somewhat repetitive of what others have posted. I do think that if my son cried more than a few hours at a time that I would go to an experienced and loving pediatrician to get a more comprehensive evaluation. I would be considered that he would have some sort of intestinal blockage or major digestion issue or an intense food allergy or sensitivity. I would want someone that would offer some insight and solutions other than just waiting it out, although thay may be a big part of a colicky baby.
Also, to decrease the chances of us and our older toddler getting sick, and thereby adding to the stress in our home, all of us got the seasonal and H1N1 influenza vaccinations. We are limiting our going out to public spaces and when we have to go anywhere we try not to touch anything and sanitize our hands tons! I also put a sign on the door and have made it clear to nearly everyone that we are limiting visitors and social activities. (our son was born premature as well so we're trying to get him to a fighting weight). Our son's grandmother, who works in a rural school, does not come over to visit nearly as much as she'd love to and never when she's ill, but because she works with kids, she comes over with a surgical mask to protect her grandchildren (maybe a little overkill, but you can never tell when you're sick until you've already exposed other people). Okay, that's about all I can think of that we're doing around here to help our little newborn son and his older sister. Good luck, everyone!
Autumn's Glory
That's a really great and comprehensive list. So many important issues that you brought up!! While some of them may be in other posts around here, they are all things that I think people need to hear over and over ;)
It sounds like you have a good handle on it and some good help!! That is so nice!
Check out some of the top posts today in Groups:
she is 6 months old and still crying, need some advice
- autumnsglory
on Nov. 8, 2009 at 11:21 AM