Colic and Crying

QUESTION: My baby has colic. I feel if I hear her cry one more time, I'll be
judged an unfit mother through neglect. I'm at my wit's end. What can I do?
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ANSWER: Let me tell you the story of one of my patients. I think it will
help, and I'll change enough details and the name to maintain her privacy.
Donna came into my office a while back. That bundle of joy in her arms was
causing incredible anxiety and stress. She and her husband were on the verge
of separation, ready for divorce court. They had both been joyous during the
pregnancy, planning their new baby's whole life for the first eighteen years,
including the scholarship to Harvard. Then reality loomed its ugly head. This
new life demanded their constant and undivided attention. Perhaps no moment
in mankind's strange history on earth is as forceful as when a parent realizes
that her infant is totally and completely dependent.
Donna was 32 and had given up a career in advertising to stay at home
with her baby. But motherhood was a harsh taskmaster, and there were no
immediate rewards in terms of paychecks and promotions. Her visit was not a
routine well baby one; Donna complained that the baby had prolonged periods of
crying for no apparent reason. During these times, she had looked for all the
obvious causes. Was the baby hungry, wet, did she want to be held? Nothing
seemed to work.
The onset of colic varies, but usually occurs between two to three weeks,
and is marked by rhythmic attacks of screaming without known cause. Each
attack can last for several hours and can't always be distinguished from the
ordinary daily periods of crying common in infancy. Usually the
distinguishing factor is the length of the attack. So a diagnosis of colic
occurs by ruling out other possibilities.
Many theories have been posed as to the cause of colic: food allergy,
immaturity of the G.I. tract, progesterone deficiency, improper feeding
techniques, emotional factors. The truth is that medicine isn't quite sure
and attacks the problem using many different therapies.
I'm sure you, like Donna, have tried the obvious remedies. Talk to your
pediatrician about a formula change or a pharmacologic approach. Both these
methods are hit-or-miss. And do follow these maxims: create an emotionally
stable environment for your baby, never overstimulate her in the evening near
bedtime. A pacifier may help to calm her and satisfy her need for
nonnutritive sucking. Improve your feeding techniques by holding her at a
45-degree angle while sucking and taking constant breaks to burp her. If you
are bottle feeding, make sure the nipple hole is neither too big nor too small
and the formula neither too hot nor cold. If you are breast feeding, consult
your physician about omitting allergenic foods from your diet. A swing, a
rocking chair, a clock, a mobile might help to calm her also.
And if all else fails, remember that the baby will outgrow colic around
10-12 weeks of age, so hang in there for the duration. Colic will never hurt
your baby and it's not your fault that she has it. Make sure that you plan
periods away from your baby, either alone, with friends, or with your husband.
These periods away are as important to your baby as the loving care and
attention that you shower on her.
Donna made it, and I am sure you will too.