Surviving the dreaded colic

Victoria Leek - 30 Apr 17

If you find yourself on the house of horrors ride which is the mystery of colic then hang on as things might get a little bumpy. But know that this too shall pass, you just won’t know when.

Until then here’s some tips that might help you take the strain.

Don’t expect anyone to give you a proper explanation of what you’re dealing with. Descriptions of colic vary, everyone has a theory but no one seems to really know. If you have concerns go to your doctor. If they brush you off with ‘just colic’ and you’re still concerned, go again. Many cases of colic turn out to be silent reflux which is also hell for all involved.

Do expect that it will be really fucking hard. Dealing with a baby who just won’t stop crying when you don’t know why can grind down even the most gung-ho mummy, especially when you’ve had bastard all sleep and are still recovering from labour. This may differ slightly from the image you had of  motherhood.

Know that while there are loads of approaches to helping with colic – tiger in the tree, monkey on your back, rhino in your face – none of them may actually work or not all of the time. Sometimes the thing just needs to run its course. But by all means keep trying whatever method you can, at least it gives you something to do through the screaming.

Remember your baby is going through it too. This really helped me as I was struggling as a new mum, recovering from a difficult labour and thinking what the hell has happened. I tried to remember that my lovely little baby was suffering and was just as clueless about it all as I was. He needed me and that gave me strength to get through it.

Get anyone to help you, particularly your partner. You need someone to take a turn walking around with a crying baby to give you a break so you don’t go insane.

Don’t expect it clear up at three months, though I hope it does. Health visitors were happy to tell me that it would all clear up around 12 weeks. We passed 12 weeks and kept going to around seven months. It was also around that time he started sleeping through the night.

Make yourself a sandwich the night before, stock up on bananas, put your teabag in your cup. Everything is a lot easier to deal with when you’ve been fed, and it’s easier to have supplies prepared than trying to butter bread with a wriggling, crying baby. Generally look after yourself. As always, you are really important.

Speak to other people, preferably those who’ve had some experience of colic. Other non-colic parents are fine too but won’t understand what you’re going through as their baby goes to sleep at 7pm and cries a bit when they’re hungry or teething. I have a second baby like this so know they are worlds apart.

Take lots of photos and videos of your baby. In amidst the crying, baby’s and yours, there will be times when your baby does lovely cute baby things, though it might be hard to remember. So try to capture lots of the good times too.

Lastly go easy on yourself. Do whatever you’ve got to do to get through and know that it does end.

Victoria Leek

Victoria Leek is a full time mum to two boys under two. She worked in PR for almost ten years before becoming a mum.

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