August 2008 Expecting Club

Just wondering if I am the only new mom struggling with a colicy baby?

Lily is so sweet all day but around 6:30 every night she starts to get fussy and screams for a few hours before going to sleep around 10:30. It started when she was around 3 weeks old and it is really taking a toll on Dh and I. He gets home right about the time that she starts crying so that is all he sees. I worry that he won't bond with her like he would if she didn't have colic. It is also causing strain on our relationship- we are so stressed everynight and tend to lash out at each other. We don't get any us time except when my parents watch the baby for us, even then I feel guilty because I know that she is screaming while we are out having dinner.

I know that it will taper off in the coming weeks but I was just wondering if I was the only August mom that dreads the nightly fussiness. If there are more moms of colicy babies I would love to hear what you do that calms your LO. Right now I will try anything!

 

You definetly aren't the only one dealing with a colicky baby. Krystal is usually fine the majority of the day, with a few fussy moments... like... now, but when night comes she is something else. It usually lasts from 10:00pm to maybe 3:00 or 4:00am. She may take little 20 minute naps or so, but besides that she just screams. My boyfriend has been sleeping in the other room, because he can't tolerate it that well, and also he works mornings. What I've been doing to try to help is make sure I give her her gas drops (she's gassy a lot) and then I keep her swaddled. I rock her, bounce her, sit her down propped up and just try to cuddle with her and talk to her, I've even taken her for a walk outside at 1 in the morning. It was just in the driveway and in front of the house though, but she seemed to calm down a bit. It's been getting worse, but I'll have a night here and there where it gets better. Just hoping it goes away soon...

But I'm here with you!!!

~Robin

We're definitely in the same boat here.  I could have written that post!

Our LO gets grumpy about 4 pm and it lasts until about 10 pm.  Nothing makes her happy.  My DH gets home about 6 pm and all he sees is her being grumpy.  I really don't think he's bonding with her like he did our older DD because of this.  I think though, that when the colic bets better he will make up for lost time.  Men like babies better when they're older anyway, when they can interact with them more.  I wouldn't worry about them bonding, just wait for this to blow over.  That is what I'm doing!

As for what calms her, going into a differnt room helps sometimes, a change of scenery.  Good luck!

Have you looked into probiotics, specifically L.reuteri?  Google probiotics for colic.  L. reuteri is naturally occuring in breast milk & I always take a combo of reuteri & rhamnosus & it gets to Zoey thru my milk.  She is on anti-biotic daily for her kidney.    Every woman should take probiotics when taking anti-biotics to help prevent yeast infection.  Probotics are beneficial in preventing diarrhea in babies & is what all the hub bub is with those Activia type yogurts. 

There are studies that say the L.reuteri jelps eliminate colic:

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/119/1/e124

http://www.thechildrenshospital.org/wellness/info/news/40856.aspx

http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Probiotics-improved-colic-in-babies-says-study

It can't hurt, give it a try.

Elise, loving my DH & our babies Zoey Joelle 8/15/08, Logan Brooke 8/8/93 & Sam Edward 11/12/96