Hey fam! This is TPOS. I’ll be talking to new mums today. This doesn’t mean that old mums wouldn’t benefit from what I am about to say anyway. First off, here’s a Disclaimer alert! I am not a Pediatrician (But I love babies. I love to care for infants and I can’t wait to have one). I just can’t stand listening to a baby scream apart from being heartbreaking, upsetting, anxiety-provoking taking a physical and emotional toll on the mother.
Now, ever wondered why your baby is always crying especially in the evening time. Imagine you bring your newborn home, and a few weeks later, she erupts in ear-shattering wails, clenched fists, pull up his legs, moving its legs and arms more, closes his eyes or open them very wide, furrow his brow, holds its breath briefly, passes gas or spit up. Eating and sleeping are disrupted by the crying, you try to breast feed him; he rejects it once sucking has begun. He dozes off for a few moments only to wake up screaming. You check diaper. It’s not dry. Now, this baby is neither hungry nor tired crying. He just literally resists your every effort to soothe those tears.
Perhaps you’ve not been observing since you came back from the hospital that your baby cries for almost three hours a day especially in the evening time. Or you haven’t noticed he has been doing these 3 days a week and this may be lasting for over 3 weeks in a row. Fam! You may have to deal with this for a few weeks or few months though. But, do not panic he’s only being colicky. Colic is what we typically call cry-cry baby in this part of the world I know. It’s really exhausting. Isn’t it? Your baby is only exhibiting the “Rule of 3’s”
What is Colic? It is defined as episodes of crying for more than three hours a day, for more than three days a week, for three weeks in an otherwise healthy child. Colic is inconsolable crying in an infant that lasts many hours a day, starting in the second week of life and lasting until about 3 months of age and Baby colic is also known as infantile colic.
The crying of a colicky baby often seems discomforting, intense and as if the baby is in pain. This behavior usually happens in the late afternoon or early evening for almost three hours at a stretch, occurring at least three days a week and this may persist for at least three weeks in a row. Colic episodes may last from a few minutes to three hours or more on any given day.
The difference between colic and normal crying according to Pediatricians/doctors is based on the “rules of three.”
The cry lasts at least three hours at a stretch
Occurs at least three days a week
Persists for at least three weeks in a row
A colicky baby is not an unhealthy baby. Colic usually reaches its peak at 6-8 weeks after birth. Colic ends for 50% of cases around 3 months and in 90% of cases by 9 months of age. Colicky periods in some babies recur daily, while some babies take an occasional night off. The good news is that colic doesn’t last. It may stop suddenly or gradually. Don’t say that’s not true. My baby doesn’t cry that way. Colic has been around for years. One out of five infants displays this behavior according to studies.
There are those times when a baby that cries a lot has a true medical problem or condition. A baby could be colicky due to medical conditions such as Food allergy among others. It could be a sensitive temperament that needs more attention. It could be tobacco exposure by moms who smoke during or after pregnancy among many other factors. Why would you want to smoke or let anyone else smoke around your baby?
It is neither a disease nor has obvious cure except if you practice the following 4 tips given among others.
Get close. Not only does cuddling, wearing or carrying your baby give her the pleasure of security and physical closeness to you (and after 9 months of constant closeness, that may be just what baby’s crying for), but it may help you tune in better to her needs.
Play soothing music. A crying baby might also respond to the quiet singing of a lullaby or a softly playing classical music CD. Other infants enjoy the sounds of nature or the whir of a fan. Repeating “shh” or “ahh” to your little one can also help. Experiment to find something your baby seems to like.
Offer a pacifier. Some colicky babies seem to want to eat all the time — and that might be because sucking is soothing, not because they’re hungry. So if your child seems ravenous all the time and adequate feedings don’t seem to satisfy him, a pacifier might help. Check in with your doctor if you’re not sure whether baby is getting enough to eat at mealtimes, though.
Get out of the house. Sometimes, just a change to an outdoor location will magically change a baby’s mood. Movement can help, too. Take your baby for a walk in the stroller or in a sling or carrier, or strap her into the car seat for a drive (but turn around and head home if the crying continues in the car — otherwise it could distract you from the road).
CONCLUSION
It’s worth being worried about as much as crying appears the best (and only) way for infants to communicate their needs in reality. Talk the situation over with your doctor for a few extra soothing strategies if you are feeling overwhelmed by your crying baby and be sure to take turns with your spouse or other family member in holding the baby during the hardest hours of the day. Y’all will sure get through in a matter of weeks.
