Hellobee

As I mentioned in my one month update, the Trikester is not the easiest baby. There were a few weeks where awake = crying, and I thought I was going to lose it. When you’re exhausted, a crying baby is even more challenging to deal with. At the time, I was sure the Trikester had colic.

All babies fuss and cry to some degree, but colic is an extremely grumpy baby. Officially, colic is present if a baby meets the rule of three: he cries at least three hours a day, at least three days a week, for at least three weeks. Some doctors, including Marc Weissbluth, author of Healthy Sleep Habits, suggest that the definition should be expanded to include not just crying but also fussing, in addition to all the time the baby would be fussing or crying if you weren’t actively soothing him. So hours you spend rocking, shhing, swaying, and driving around in the car count towards colicky hours.

For most babies, colicky symptoms begin in the second or third week of life, peak at around six weeks, and then begin to decrease. When calculating weeks, it’s 46 weeks from conception, so count based on your due date, not the baby’s birth date. In most cases, colic goes away by three or four months of age. During the first month, crying and fussing can occur during any time of day, though as a baby gets older, the crying typically occurs in the evening.

The frustrating thing about colic is that no one knows what causes it, though there are plenty of theories. Explanations include: digestive discomfort (maybe caused by an allergy to dairy or soy), an immature digestive system, reflux, trapped gas, an immature nervous system, too much stimulation, or hormone issues related to levels of serotonin or cortisol.

Because researchers have yet to settle on a cause, there’s no miracle remedy to treat colic. If you’d like to get rich, come up with a sure-fire way to keep babies from crying – you’d be an instant millionaire. Even though there is no guaranteed solution, there are still many things you can try. I’ll totally admit to frantically ordering almost every colic remedy on Amazon at midnight  a few weeks ago when the crying had me at my wit’s end.

1. Probiotics – I’ve been trying baby probiotics manufactured by BioGaia for about a week, but I can’t report on their effectiveness as it usually takes two weeks to see a result. These work by introducing helpful bacteria to the baby’s digestive system. This brand is the most well-studied, and appears to have some impact in reducing the duration of colicky symptoms.
2. Gas Drops – Gas drops contain Simethicone, an anti-foaming agent that helps reduce the discomfort of excess gas in the stomach. The research on Simethicone suggests that gas drops aren’t all that helpful, but they’re considered safe to use, so we’ve been giving them a shot anyway. I can’t say they’re super effective, but sometimes they seem to help.
3. Gripe Water – Gripe water is a concoction of herbs designed to help soothe colicky babies. There are many, many different formulations of gripe water, but most typically contain fennel extract, ginger, dill, chamomile, and/or a bicarbonate. Gripe water is considered a traditional home remedy. Like gas drops, there’s little scientific evidence that gripe water is effective. We’ve tried the Mommy’s Bliss brand, and although I can’t say it has a lasting impact, administering it does instantly calm the Trikester when he’s hysterical. There’s no guarantee that he won’t start back up again in a minute or two, but sometimes it does seem to help – it might be the fennel oil, but it’s probably more likely the fact that the liquid is sweet and he likes the way it tastes.
4. Happi Tummi – Some people suggest that putting a hot water bottle on a baby’s stomach helps reduce colic. The Happi Tummi works on that principle – you microwave a pouch filled with herbs and then wrap it around the baby’s belly. We ordered this tummy wrap, but I’m sad to report it just made the Trikester scream even louder. I’ve only used it once, so maybe I should give it another go, as it’s well reviewed on Amazon.
5. Windi – The Windi is made by the same company that makes the Nosefrida. Basically it’s a tube that you stick up your baby’s butt to help relieve gas. These get great reviews on Amazon, but I didn’t actually try this one, as there were some concerns that the product could damage your baby’s rectum. If you do give them a go, be careful that you don’t insert them too far.
6. Dairy and/or Soy Elimination – Some babies have a milk soy protein intolerance (MSPI), so if the baby is breastfed, it means eliminating all dairy (not just lactose) and soy from the mother’s diet. I’ve been trying this for a week now, and I think I see an improvement (then again, it could be wishful thinking). To learn more about MSPI, check out Mrs. Jack’s awesome post on the subject.
7. Pacifier – Sucking is soothing to most babies. If you’re breastfeeding, you might want to wait a month to introduce a pacifier or soother, but otherwise give it a go. It took the Trikester a while to like a pacifier, and he will only use the Soothies brand, but at times it helps immensely.
8. Ergo + Stability Ball – Rhythmic motion helps colicky babies. It doesn’t have to be the carrier and ball combination; other options include car rides, a rocking chair or glider, swing, or bouncing seat.
9. Swaddle – Swadding helps many infants feel comfortable by re-creating a womb like environment. Our favorite swaddles are the Halo swaddle and the Miracle blanket, though we frequently just use Aden + Anais muslin blankets to swaddle during nap times.

Sadly, the only method that’s 100% effective in curing colic is time. Waiting is almost impossible when you perceive that your baby is unhappy or in pain, so maybe some of these tricks will help make the weeks go quickly as your baby outgrows colic.

How did you combat colic?