How are you going so far. Got any sleep? Have you chosen a name yet?
 

You already answer my question about your other child.

Glad, everything went well. I remember when my daughter was born ages ago. I got to stay the night there so I was woken(awaken?) every time she wanted to be fed even though my wife did all the work. In this case she had to-I got my share at home- but it was every couple of hours that first night. So my wife-more than me- can relate to what you said.

I would lean over her and cup her head in my hands and jiggle her gently by bouncing my legs with my heels raised a little off the floor (my calves got pretty tired at first, but they strengthened over time). Sometimes I had to do this for quite a while, but since she was crying anyway, at least I felt I was doing something about it.

Other parents manage by putting the baby in a carseat and going for a drive. You can simulate this, if you stay right with the baby, by putting her in the carseat on a running clothes dryer. There are vibrating seats for babies as well, but I think being held by mom or dad works the best, if you can do it long enough.

[This message has been edited by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (edited November 09, 2010).]
 

When you can't take it anymore, make sure your daughter's safe and secure, then leave the room for 5-10 minutes where you can't hear her screaming. Just to take a break if no one's there to help you.

My ex is one of the most benevolent people on this planet, but I came home to a screaming baby one night and she was at her wit's end. Even the gentlest people will have thoughts they're ashamed of when pushed to their limits. And I had to reassure her that whatever she thought (and didn't voice to me) had nothing to do with whether she was a good or a bad mother; it had to do with her being human.

I just reread over this, and I think this is coming across as slightly condescending or judgmental. Not my intent, and apologies up front if it seems that way. This is your second child so you probably already have this well in hand; probably just venting a little.

 

In the UK we have something called gripe-water and that tends to help. We also gave her colic-drops but I can't remember what they were called.

Putting them down and leaving the room doesn't really help, it just stresses both of you, colick is painful for them. You can definately tell the difference to that 'just won't shut up cry', that one's alright to walk away from.

(just remembered, the drops are called Infacol)

[This message has been edited by pdblake (edited November 10, 2010).]
 

With my second child, we tried benadryl in her formula, and it worked so well that I was afraid I'd get addicted to giving it to her. I don't think it's recommended for babies any more.

I've heard of gripe-water and been told that it can be found in the US, but the one time I looked for it, I couldn't find it. Wikipedia isn't very enthusiastic about it, but is a bit more favorable than it is about Infacol.
 

I only had model babies of perfect temperament, and still, there were times I thought I'd go insane, and that being dead would be preferable to living through the moment!
 

Wikipedia didn't exist then
 

quote:

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Take deep breaths, tell yourself that many of us have been there, and yes, it *is* as hard as it seems to be, and yes, it *will* pass.

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I can certainly understand how tough it is. Keep in there. Our first had what we were initially told was colic. I would take the night shift (anywhere up to 2:00 am) to give my wife at least some sleep, although she had to deal with him crying all day. We wondered if it was reflux - but the doctors were reluctant to diagnose that, saying it was over diagnosed in the past (particularly by parents). At our three month check up with the pediatrician, she told us of a theory that colic may be caused by stomach/intestinal contractions that were deemed painful by the baby's nervous system - we could certainly see some large contractions occurring. But she had us referred to a new parent training class.

At the class, wouldn't you know, he was the perfect baby, no crying, settling in (it was a full day class and took another month to get into). My wife wondered whether it was the sleeping techniques. But right at the end he turned normal. The nurse there saw the signs. It *was* reflux - the poor thing had a raw oesophagus. We'd actually seen all the signs before, but being our first, we both thought that it was normal for a baby. We were able to medicate him, much to all our our relief. The reflux continued until he was nine months, but those first four months were really tough.
 

As others have said, "This, too, shall pass."

[This message has been edited by rich (edited November 13, 2010).]
 

My daughter didn't have colic but she got in a certain mood and needed to be moved-continually. So I usually ended up walking in circle, through the living room and kitchen. Both have two doors. It lasted a few months. So I have some empathy with you.

But we get her back sometimes. For exercise, either on cold rainy days or just too busy to walk with her, we have her walk that same path for half an hour. We haven't done it for a while but it's still an option.