Newborn colic and Babywearing

newborn colic

Have you ever heard of newborn colic? Well, if you have then it means you are among the “lucky” sleepless, overwhelmed parents who have dealt with baby colic!

We remember the birth of our daughter as one of the most beautiful moments of our life, but also as the most demanding period of our experience as new parents.

One night, helpless and exhausted after almost two hours of no stop crying, we ran to the hospital worried about the desperate screams of our baby Elena. After having spent the night and part of the day at the hospital, Elena was diagnosed with colic. “Nothing to worry about” the doctors said “she will grow out of it in 3-6 months”. Happy that there was nothing serious, we went home thinking about the 3 months ahead…  3 to 6 months!!!!

But what is a baby colic? “Colic is a condition in which an otherwise healthy baby cries or displays symptoms of distress frequently and for extended periods, without any discernible reason.

One study concludes that the chances of having colic is lower in breastfed babies. The crying often increases during a specific period of the day, particularly the early evening. Symptoms may worsen soon after feeding, especially in babies that do not belch easily.” (Wikipedia).

Colic usually starts when your baby is a few weeks old and the symptoms last for a few months. Most babies ‘grow out of it’ by the age of three or four months, or six months at the latest. Your baby may cry for several hours a day and you might find it hard to soothe or comfort him or her. Although colic isn't thought to be painful for your baby, he or she may look uncomfortable. If your baby has colic, you may notice that he or she arches his or her back, draw up the legs to his or her tummy, becomes stiff, passes wind and clenches his or her fists.

The exact underlying cause of colic is not fully understood. One theory is that colicky babies cry because of discomfort caused by abdominal gas. Burping your baby during and after feedings may help relieve gas, and minimize bouts of colic. As well, using baby bottles designed to reduce air intake may be helpful for bottle-fed babies. Breastfeeding mothers may find it helps to avoid foods such as broccoli and cauliflower if they seem to cause gas in their babies. (DrPaul.com)

Another concept is that colic is caused by an immature central nervous system. Because their nervous systems aren't fully developed, some babies may be hypersensitive to stimuli (such as noise, light, etc.).

There is also a theory by Dr. Jack Newman about colicky breastfed babies that says that “If the mother automatically switches the baby from one breast to the other during the feed, before the baby has “finished” the first side, the baby may get a relatively low amount of fat during the feeding. This may result in the baby getting fewer calories, and thus feeding more frequently….”(childrenneedlove.wordpress.com)

What is the solution to colic then? Unfortunately, there are no medicines to make colic go away (keepkindshealty.com). The only way to cop is being patient and reinsure your little one with lots of cuddles.

As advice by doctors and health visitors, we tried different things, from Infocal to  tummy massage, or rhythmic rocking, singing, walking … nothing was working.

One day then, I remembered about a present that was sitting in Elena’s drawer: a baby sling. I decided to give it a try! Magic: little by little, Elena was calming down. I was wearing her in a stretch sling, belly to belly position. The contact, the feeling of being wrapped to mummy (and to daddy too sometimes), maybe the sensation of feeling like in the womb again were like a balm for her , and for us exhausted by countless sleepless nights. 

Elena in a Mei Tai

Why didn’t we think about the baby sling before?! Our life improved consistently and above all our parenthood improved! We didn’t have to sit next to her Moses basket anymore or push the pram up and down to rock her. The movement of our body, our heartbeats were now rocking Elena which was finally happy! And we were starting living our experience as parent in a different way: we could finally do anything, go out to the supermarket or just for a walk, go to the park or to see a museum. We felt stronger and more confident, a great start for a bonding parenthood.

My stretch sling has been the present that I have most appreciated. A baby sling is something I would personally advice as a gift for both mom and baby. 

What is your experience? Have you tried to wear your baby in a baby sling to help with the colic? Tell us about your story.

Enjoy your babywearing everyone!

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