Colic - Salt Lake City,UT

You are probably past the colic stage now, but for other Mom's that might read this. I totally believe in gripe water! It made a huge difference with my daughter.

Have you tried changing her formula? My daughter had a problem with the iron in the formula,and after she was almost 1 they told me she was lactose intolerant. Also have you tried gas drops,maybe she has a problem passing gas. I would maybe try doing leg excersies with her to help her pass the gas. My daughter also had a problem having a BM,we had to get infant supossitories from the dr for her. I hope things get better for you. Good luck!!

Have you thought about trying a Chiropractor. My cousin had the same problem and she took her new baby there a couple of times and she is a totally different baby.

Hava you tried silmethicone drops or swaddling? Also if you are using formula soy may be gentler on her stomach. If you are breastfeeding there are some foods that can agrevate babies (garlic, tomatoes, etc.). Massaging her stomach can also help move things along and relieve gas. Does she throw up alot? She may have an immature muscle between her stomach and esophagus causing heartburn. Sitting her in an upright position may help in this instance.

I will say a prayer for you and your family
Hope I could help

A.

I'm so sorry to hear about the crying your daughter. Our son was colicky also and he cried around 10+ hours a day until he was almost 5 months old. Gripe Water works, briefly for us, but it did work. We also used to swaddle him and bounce on an exercise ball which he loved doing! Mostly he wanted/needed to be held. One other thing we did was what we called Sack-O-Potatoes where we would put his lower belly on our shoulder and walk around or bounce on the ball. I think it helped relieve any pressure from potential gas or something, but he loved it. Best of luck and stay sane :-)

ETA: I also wanted to say that it helps if you try to have your daughter asleep *within* 2 hours of waking up.

I know how you feel, my son was the same way. Sometimes gas medicine worked, although the best was hyland homeopathic cure. You can buy at Rite aide--check their whole line out on the web!

Good Luck!

Hi J.,
Colic is when they cry for more then 3 hours at a time, all babies have a "fussy" time where they really just cry. I have a 5 week old and she does the samething. I also have had a baby that had colic, it is differnt. But we didn't do the gripe water, we used this tummy soother (samething, just cheaper) and you can find it anywhere, Meijers, Walgreens, ect. But it does work great! We have used it with the new baby as well. Also a common thing with babies is gas. I read in a book that if you bring their legs up to their belly and push on their belly with their legs, they will sometimes just be so gasy and that will help them too. We have been doing that with our twins and now our new baby, and it really works, we have lived by it! Good Luck

have you tried to change her formula maybe she is constipated

When I could tell my daughter was crying from what seemed to be an upset tummy I'd give her gripe water and it would work almost instantly. Now that I've realized what was upsetting her tummy I rarely have to give it to her (she's almost 3 mos now). I breastfeed and I found that it was milk that I had drank that was bothering her, so I stopped drinking it and it made a world of difference. I agree with previous posters who said if you formula feed to try switching formulas. BUT I would definatly say a call to your ped couldn't hurt. Just ask for a call back and you don't even have to bring her in if they don't think it's warranted. Good luck!
Oh, if you think she's just having a fussy period (sometimes they just need to fuss) remember that you can't always fix them. If she's clean, dry, fed, etc she may just need to cry. We give our daughter a pacifier and that helps, esp. when our two year old is going crazy too, when I am at my wits end they just both get their binks. :)

Hi J.. I was lucky enough not to have a colicky baby but my son did have a troublesome tummy and the gripe water works wonders for that. My sister-in-law has twins who were colicky and whenever she gave them the gripe water they shut right up! :) I's worth a shot, it might just work for you! (p.s. make sure you get the one without alcohol)

I had one baby with colic. Have you talked to the baby's doctor about it? They may change the formula or give other suggestions about feeding. My friend had problems with her baby's upset stomach and got medication for acid reflux. Also, have you tried the miracle blanket? It keeps them wrapped tightly for better comfort. If digestive problems are ruled out, I would concentrate on keeping the baby comfortable and this works miracles!

Ok, I have a suggestion. I too have had a baby with colic. In fact they were twins. (they are now 2) I tried grip water and really liked it, but I finally turned to a chiropractor. I know this sounds CRAZY but let me tell you---the night after I took hime to the dr. He was smiling, and laughing----I should have done it sooner. I took him when he was 3 months. I am pregnant again with twins and if there are problems, you can bet I'll be calling the dr. again. good luck!!!! one happy mom!

Have you talked with your doctor about this? My 2 sons were so fussy, needy, wanted to nurse all of the time even though they probably weren't hungry. We determined that it was reflux, and that the constant nursing both helped the problem (the milk was soothing) as well as hurt it (fuller tummy led to more discomfort). The medicine (prevacid) was a huge help. There is more research out there that is pointing to reflux as the cause of "colic" all these years. Anyway, it is just a thought. I hope that you can find a solution and that you can all sleep again!

If you have a sling or baby carrier, put her in it during this time. The benefits of babywearing are amazing- they say that babies cry 1/2 as often when they are worn. I have worn my daughter since she was a newborn (she's now 6 months old) and the only fussy times she has ever had was when she was teething or hungry. I am very against artificial methods or medications....they usually don't work anyway. I hope you find what works for both of you!

A.

J.,
My 4th one is now 2 months old, and she did the same thing up until about a week ago, it finally stopped. It isn't colic at an hour a day. If it was 3 hours a day, they would call it colic. She probably, like my Hanalise, has a "fussy time of day"--
It can be very frustrating, I know.
One thing that worked wonders, both with her and with my 2 yr old twins when they were babies (especially one of them that did have colic) was the homeopathic colic tablets from Hylands. You can get them at Walmart or Walgreens.
Just so you know, if your store doesn't have the colic tablets, but has the teething tablets, they are the same- main ingredient is chamomile. If your baby knows how to take a bottle (mine doesn't yet) you can also just make some chamomile tea (just don't put honey in it at this age, but maybe some molasses for a sweeter flavor).
The tablets are designed to dissolve under their tongues quickly. It is pretty easy to do and it practically knocks them out within 5 minutes.
Good luck! Also, when all else fails, a drive in the car usually works wonders!

I am just getting to the four month mark with my colicky baby! What I found that helped is to not eat cows milk. I am of course breastfeeding. If you are not, then you may try soy formula. Some babies cannot digest the enzymes that are in cows milk and my lactation nurses helped me figure out what was up with my little guy. I haven't had milk, cheese, butter or any foods with these items in them for about 3 months now, and I am just starting to add them back. He is adjusting okay now that his tummy is bigger and tougher! Good Luck!

all of my girls went through this, I feel for you. We had to switch from regular formula to soy formula and I have to saw that after we did that we saw a world of difference. We finally got to see the shinning, happy sides of our children.

My now 7 yr old daughter cried for 8 months and never took naps, she actually just started sleeping through the nights. I breast fed her and she was thriving. I tried EVERYTHING to sooth her. The ONLY thing that would get her to stop crying was the sound of the vaccum. After seeing what I went through with her I had two friends that kids has a little colic and they took their babies to a chiropractor and it worked for both of them. I guess the Dr. uses an instrument like a cherry pitter and goes up their spine to release air bubbles. I made up my mind if my second one had colic that's what I was going to try. But she was was a very content baby.

Good luck,
J.

When my youngest daughter was about 2months old she went through a spell where she would cry and scream uncontrollably for hours. The only thing that we could do to sooth her was give her a warm bath and then rub lavender oil on her chest and back. This is something that worked for us and it might help you and your little one. Good Luck.

I haven't had a colic baby but my best friend did and the thing she found that worked the best was wrapping the baby in receiving blanket straight out of the dryer. the warmth of the blanket worked wonders.

Hi,
If she only cries for an hour each day, its most likely not colic. My son had colic for 6 months and he only stopped crying when he slept and that was only a few hours each day. It sounds more like she has gas. Does she cry right after eating? Have you tried laying her belly down across your legs and patting/rubbing her back. Wrap her tight in a receiving blanket works good too. I also bought this sound machine from walmart that made 15 different sounds. My son preferred the crickets, but there is everything from water sounds...heart beats....to outdoor sounds. If it's getting really bad you may want to consult your doctor.
Good luck!!
M.

If you are using formula, you might try switching to Enfamil Nutramegen or Similac Ailimentum. Their proteins are broken down by enzymes more than the others. They are more expensive but it worked for our daughter overnight. We used Nutramegen until she was 4 months old and then gradually switched to Enfamil Gentlese. She has not had any gas discomfort since.

Another idea is see if you can find the video "The Happiest Baby on the Block" at your library. There is also a book by the same name. It provides 5 things parents can do to calm a crying baby and they work like magic! Good luck.

There are many ways of trying to calm the baby down, example running the vaccuum cleaner, I know it sounds crazy, but give it a try, running the faucet water or placing her her in her carseat and in the bathroom while running the shower, allowing her to cry for 15 min. by herself in a room and then try comforting her. Because a fussy baby, colic or not, can drive you and someone else crazy when you can't soothe them. It may seem like a long 15 min, but it won't hurt her and maybe that's what she might need is to let whatever the cry is about out by herself, where you and your husband are not in the room. THey do have I guess medicine for colic babies, but I'm not sure if it really works, but I have seen it. Try bathing, music, and whatever comes to mind naturally.

My son was colicky also. We talked to our pediatrician and she told us that colic is due to a milk allergy. She put him on nutramigen which is a hypo-allergenic formula. It is easier for them to digest and has worked well for us. We also took our son to the chiropractor just yesterday so we will see how that works.

Hi!
I understand what you're going thru! My son wasn't considered colic...but he did have acid reflux. Are you breast feeding or using formula? I was using formula, and that's where some of my problem stemmed from. Have you talked to your Dr about this? When do you notice that she cries for an hour? Is it all at one time? After she eats? You may also want to try "white noise" a bit. They have great soothing cd's or those sound machines. My friend even used to run her hairdryer,vaccuum,dishwasher & clothes dryer when her little guy would get upset. Whatever worked!! Consider her surroundings a bit. Does she get upset when your older daughter is doing certain things. (Not to assume she isn't a great older sibling!) I'm just trying to think of what's bothering "baby"!
Have you tried giving her a bath during this time? I used to have to snuggle my son like a burrito until he was like 4mths old. If he wasn't wrapped really tightly, he would get really cranky when left alone. He liked to be wrapped tight, and held facing me. I would pat his butt until I thought he was going to have brain damage from shaking so much! lol Anyhow, I hope this helps - otherwise email me - I would love to chat more! Oh - and I've also heard the gripe water is a miracle!! It can't hurt to try!?

Hi J.,
Congradulations on your precious bundle! Swaddle, swaddle, swaddle. They have swaddle blankets that velcro shut around the baby that makes it easy to swaddle. Snuddlies are great also that hold the baby close to your body while your moving around. Babies need to be tight replicating the womb.
Also good to know that it is true all babies have a fussy time. Usually in the latter part of the day, they will cry for no apparant reason and nothing calms them down. They just have to work thru it. That lasts for a couple months.
good luck.

There is currently no generally-accepted medical treatment for colic, and the approach taken by medical professionals varies substantially from country to country and indeed from doctor to doctor. Many believe that the condition is currently untreatable, and is best left to run its course. Other doctors prescribe simethicone, which treats trapped gas; some parents report that this is effective, but for many others it is not, and research suggests that it is not useful.[14]

One study showed a moderate success when infants with colic were treated with dicyclomine, an anti-spasmotic drug commonly found in some anti-diarrheal medications.[15]

Other studies have found success with probiotics such as Lactobacillus reuteri, which were intended to reduce gas.[16]

Gripe water is believed by some to relieve the symptoms associated with baby colic, teething and baby's gas[citation needed].

In addition to herbal teas it is believed that the organoleptic effects of certain herbs can help calm and relieve colic symptoms.

Scientists warn that further studies are necessary before any specific cure should be recommended.[16]

There is general agreement that soothing measures, such as pacifiers, listening to white noise and rocking, are often effective in calming the baby during crying periods. Also known as the "cuddle cure",[17] the five S's are known as Swaddling, placing the baby on their Side or Stomach, Swinging the baby, making a Shhh sound in the baby's ear, and giving the baby something to Suck on. Some parents take turns holding the baby upright (which may reduce the pain and crying) to enable the other parent to catch up on sleep. Babies with lactose intolerance or reflux cry harder and longer when left to lie on their backs, but parents are not advised to put the baby to sleep on their front as it is considered a risk factor for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Various tactics, such as changes in diet or routine, an increase in fresh air or certain herbal teas, are popularly believed to cure colic. There is also the theory that rubbing warm olive oil on the hands and feet, then rubbing the stomach with olive oil in a clockwise motion will cure colic. While some of these may help in certain cases, none of them is known to be universally effective. The widespread belief in them may be partly due to the suddenness with which colic naturally resolves itself. Many parents keep trying different approaches until the colic suddenly stops, at which point they presume that the last thing they tried was the cure.

In cases where 'colic' or excessive crying is possibly the infants innate healing mechanism helping them to recover from birth trauma or other past or current stress, appropriate holding and facilitation techniques may be able to increase the effectiveness of the release process and reduce the overall amount of crying time needed. In any case parents may benefit from learning these techniques, as this can help them to cope better psychologically with their child's distress, and to feel more empowered in the midst of an extremely trying situation. [18]

Good Luck :)

I know just how you feel, my first daughter cried for the first 3 months of life- no joke- if she was't sleeping or eating, she was crying. Mylican (gas Drops) worked a little, for a short time after it was given. Don't be afraid to put her in her crib and let her cry (it is SOOO much better than getting so frustrated that you hurt the baby) just go and check on her to make sre all is ell, then after you have had a minute- pick her up again. My pediatrican told me that it could be that my daughter was
bored' her brain was going faster than her body could, she wanted to move around and get the things she saw and paly and 'live'. You know- my daughter did start doing alot of things early and was fulling walking by 10 months and she was eading just after turning 4. She is now 5 1/2 and cruising through 1st grade. I can't keep up with her and her hunger for learning. SO my point in that is-- it might just be a blessing in disguise!

Only an hour a day...trust me, I know it's painful, but it could be a lot worse!!!! God - I remember colic! It's what keeps me from having another child! Mine cried for 4 hours/time! Pure torture! See your doctor first to make sure it is just colic. I don't have great advice, but I heard that gripe water works. I owned the Happiest Baby on the Block DVD (there's a book too, but I liked the video best). He has great tools to help baby relax. They worked about 50% of the time for me...trust me 50% is better than 0%!

Good luck! Try to get a friend to watch baby for a couple hours while you sleep. I know how hard it is...but you need to try to keep your mind clear. If that crying

My dr told me that Mylicon drops (same thing as gripe water) is basically a mind over matter thing and it really doesn't help too much. My advice is don't give up. Try EVERYTHING. If you thinks its his formula change it. My daughter was on a milk based and she would scream and turn red! So I switched to a soy based and she stopped! Also, try relaxing things with her when she's crying. Bundle/swaddle her, hold her really close and tight so she knows she's safe and walk around with her! I read Harvey Karps Happiest Baby on the Block and it helped me understand why babies cry.

Good luck!

I used the gripe water with my daughter and thought it worked really well. It also works wonders for Hiccups. My daughter would get them after she nursed and they lasted forever. I would give her the gripe water and they would go away immediatly.

By the way- my aunt owns a vitamin store, and she told me that the apple flavored gripe water is being recalled for some bacteria problem. So dont use the apple flavor. All the other flavors are fine.

I have heard of a couple drops of peppermint in a bottle will help.

There are drops out there made by Mylicon for gas, since it seems to be minimal at best try those, also I had a friend whos child had colic really bad, he would cry for about 5 hours every night, I felt so bad for them even though I had a baby myself, so I would leave my baby with my mom and go over and give them a break for about an hour and a half right toward the end of his crying, and some of the things I would do with him was turn the radio on to music that has a good rythym in those days it was Paula Abdul and we would dance around the floor, I would place him tummy down in my arms and "dance" with him, on another day I would turn the vaccum on and we would sit by it while I rocked him, the vaccum can get annoying but even my own kids (7 in all) have liked this when they were really fussy, it always involves your involvement but it doesn't last long, it just seems like it is never going to end, by the time the parents got home he would be calmed and in bed sleeping. But start with the mylicon drops they really do work, just don't get the ones made by Little tummies it doesn't work as well, also the formula can make a difference all of mine except one had to use soy based formula, even though today they can drink cows milk just fine, Hope that helped!

Have you made sure her diaper is clean and she is fed? If so have you felt her temperature? Also if she is too hot or too cold may affect her too. I don't know if you are using this or plan too, but have you tried a pacifier? I know that sometimes they need just something to help calm them and then they spit it out. I can remember both of my kids doing this too. Sometimes I think they just want to be held and they ended up sleeping with us. : ) Hope you can get some rest tonight. Best wishes!

C.

Why don't you try some organic herbal tea formula. I have used babies magic tea and my baby is now relax and happy guy.

Hold her like a football with her stomach laying on your arm, lay her across your legs, or do the bicycle with her legs bringing her knees to her chest and back down. Sounds more like gas trouble to me. My son did this until he learned how to push really hard during those more difficult times.

Colic = They don't know why they cry. It is a catch all and could be anything from normal crying (which it is normal for a 1 month old to cry during the day I read some babies cry 1-4 hours a day that young) to gas, diaper, food, etc. I am lucky, both my boys were mellow and rarely cry unless they need something. DO NOT discount the crying at this age-and I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Harvey Karp's Happiest Baby on the Block-You should be able to rent it on DVD from your local video store, we can here. Do not let her crying wind you up either, as they will read this and it will only make them worse. You are good right? No post partum depression?
Hope it all works out-and rent that dvd! I wished I had seen it sooner when I finally watched it. It would have save me many nights of sobbing in the corner when Evan was Colicky (we found out it was reflux).
Good luck,
C.

Hi J.~
Alot of ppl have said that it's not really colic...but whether it is/isn't doesn't matter if the crying is driving you crazy! Bottom line...the swaddling, bouncing, gas drops, vacuum, top of the dryer, etc. won't hurt so give it a try! Also, take the advice to let somebody else take baby for a little while. She can cry in their ear just like she can cry in yours and you NEED a few minutes away from it. Not the next room, but actually away so you can't hear it at all. It will do wonders. I don't suggest letting her cry it out alone and it will only make you crazier. Knowing that somebody is holding her and loving her while you get some sanity back will make a world of difference. I'm sure there are those who will disagree, but going back to work will help you tons, too! It did for me! The biggest sanity-saver is to remember that this is temporary! It WILL end, no matter how long it feels like at the moment! Pray alot and don't feel guilty for hating the crying...it's okay!
~L.

Oh my gosh, COLICK with my daughter, who is now 19 was the worse thing. My daughter seemed it have it for the first 6 months. We jokenly ask my sister (who was my daughter's babysitter) if she ever cried when she was little, we all just laugh...it is funny now, but back then we didn't think so. I feel your pain. I am not sure what the gripe water is, but they also have something like a "tea" drink, you could ask the pharmacist. My doctor also told us to change the milk. Also, I have never tried, but have been told I should have tried massage for the baby. Now I am not one of those parents who would do the chiropracter thing or any other fancy stuff, but massage....might be worth a try. I live in Polk City and if you just need a little help, let me know. Thanks Kim

J....I used the gripe water and found it seemed to help. I also have read and found out that babies have what is called their crabby time... I may not be Colic but rather just a time when they have decided to be crabby. I know that doesnt seem like much help...but...I always sang to my daughter and it seemed to work great....(i of course would NEVER do that in public....) but at home I would sing very softly and she seemed to be content with that. Good Luck!!

I highly recommend a chiropractor. I took my 8 month old to one when she was diagnosed colic at 8 weeks and within a week tops, she was back to her happy go lucky self. We do continue to take her ever 6-8 weeks for adjustments. I also referred a freind whose son was extremely colicy and he too is a new kid. Trust me, it works. Hang in there.