Colic: The Truth Behind Your Baby's Fussiness

Welcome, again, to my newsletter. In this installment, I plan to challenge the notorious colic. 

In my opinion, fussy babies could be misunderstood. For example; 

Maybe excessive crying or fussing is a sign that parents aren’t being nurturing enough.

It’s a loaded opinion.

One that can be seen as blaming parents for their babies’ apparent crying. Which is not something I want to do. We are all trying our best with the tools we have.

However, 

Recent research suggests that “colic” might not be the elusive culprit behind every inconsolable cry. 

different babies may be crying for different reasons. 

Could it be that your little one is simply communicating in their mysterious baby language, asking to be held gently, to be worn in a soft sling, to be fed responsively? 

If a baby cries for 3 hours, on more than 3 days a week for at least 3 weeks, otherwise known as the rule of 3…the internet may tell you that it is a symptom of “colic”. 

which is inexhaustible and excessive crying. 

But remember that colic is NOT a diagnosis in and of itself! 

Changes in crying can also sometimes reflect medical issues, such as viruses or even something more serious. So again, it's important to contact your doctor if you are concerned. 

Equally important is to put your baby down either in his or her cot or to do a handover to somebody else if you are feeling overwhelmed by your child’s crying. I wrote my thesis, in university, about head injuries in infants under 1. Shake baby syndrome is a very devastating thing.

So what can moms do if their baby cries a lot? 

How about exploring factors like; 

The simple desire for a warm embrace. A responsive feeding relationship. Needing a nappy change. Allergies. There are so many things..

Remember, every baby is unique, and there's no one-size-fits-all solution. But often these things work.

Also, important to trust your parental instincts and embrace the journey, even if it means rewriting the colic narrative for your little one.

I wish you restful nights and delightful days on your baby adventure. If you need support with your baby or toddler’s sleep, do not forget to suss out my two-week package.

Tammy x