You’re not going crazy. The perfect baby sleep that you were experiencing for the first two weeks after giving birth did suddenly change out of nowhere. Here’s why.
In this article:
- Why won’t my baby stop crying? Introduction to Colic in babies.
- Gassy or Colic: How can I tell the difference and How to Cope?
- How To Calm A Fussy Baby?
- Recommendations on Postpartum Recovery For Mom.
Why Won’t My Baby Stop Crying? Introduction To Colic.
The first couple of weeks after child birth can seem like everything is going smoothly. For most first time or renewed parents, it is. These are the weeks when your adrenaline is pumping, you’re excited about bringing baby home, and you’re picking up on baby’s daily routine and sleep schedule.
For most of us, the first two weeks feel like motherhood and parenting in general might not be as harsh as others made it seem. Even with the sleep interruptions, mentally preparing for them makes it feel natural.
Week 3 has been a game changer. Do you feel like your baby is having a regular fussy period each day and there’s nothing you can do to comfort him/her?
Don’t worry. This is very common and happens most frequently in the evening when you’re likely feeling the most burnt out and tired from the day.
This sudden crying phase is known as colic.
What is Colic and What Causes It?
Colic is when an otherwise healthy baby cries for no apparent reason and have disrupted sleep patterns. Most babies who experience colic cry for 2-3 hours at a time and seemingly cannot be consoled though all their needs have been met.
Most commonly, colic happens during the wee hours of the morning (late after midnight) after baby has been fed, changed, burped and even bathed. Your newborn will cry in sounds of making you think he or she wants more to eat, or fussy because they have gas on their tummy.
Don’t panic. This happens to 10-26% of infants and medical professionals still haven’t determined why or how.
Great news is, there’s an end in sight from this uncontrollable crying and it is right around 12-16 weeks old or 4 months when baby has become more aware of how to self-soothe.
When Should You Call The Doctor About Colic Concerns?
If you’ve already spoke with your pediatrician during your baby’s check up appointments, we recommend calling when these crying spells are associated with things like:
- Rashes or hives
- Vomiting
- Fever or rectal temperature of 100.4 degree Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius)
- Poor weight gain
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Decreased responsiveness
- Extreme lethargy outside of normal newborn sleep pattern
Keep in mind: Colic stages can be frustrating and a difficult time for parents and baby. Give yourself some grace and approach each night time or colicky feeding with the mindset that in a few weeks, the crying spells will be over and you’ll be able to enjoy a new stage of life.
It has been studied that parents with colicky babies are more likely to experience postpartum depression because of less sleep and absorbing more of the stress hormone that’s produced as a result of constant crying.
Contact your doctor or health care provider if you start feeling anxious, have thoughts of harming yourself or baby, or if you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Is My Baby Gassy or Have Colic: How Can I Tell The Difference and How To Cope?
Gas and Colic in babies can make them fussy and feel discomfort. The difference between the two is one gives noticeable immediate relief and the other does not.
Gas in babies happens because their digestive system isn’t fully developed and while drinking milk air gets trapped in their little belly. If not burped properly those “air bubbles” can create immense pressure causing baby to cry.
With gas, it is naturally produced but can be treated immediately with a few gentle pats to the back, gas drops or other gas remedies.
If you suspect your baby has immense gas that can’t be soothed by burping or releasing air bubbles, contact your baby’s pediatrician to seek relief options.
Gas can be identified by:
- your baby squirming
- arching body
- having increase fussiness after a feeding
If you notice immediate relief after burping or poopy diaper change, your baby likely experienced gas build up that caused discomfort.
Colic unfortunately has no immediate relief treatments, but here’s what you can do to calm a fussy baby.
How To Calm A Fussy Baby?
Having a fussy baby can be difficult, but there are some techniques that have been studied and are tried, tested and true to help soothe.
Give baby a pacifier. Pacifiers help baby self-soothe.
Help baby swallow less air. This will reduce gas build up. Remember to burp well during and after feedings. If you’re bottle feeding, try to use a nipple with slower milk flow level so that baby has a better latch and less air pockets seep through while sucking.
Use white noises to calm baby. There’s several white noise baby apps that you can pull up on your phone for free to create a gentle hum and calming environment. Aside that, items around your house like running water, turning on the fan, running the vacuum, or standing near a dryer can all be used as excellent options as well. (**avoid sitting baby on top of dryer. It is dangerous and not at all recommended!!**)
Reduce Overstimulation. Just like you can become overstimulated from sounds, bright lights, and being around a lot of people, so can baby. Take some time to create a less stimulating environment by dimming the lights, sitting in a quiet dark room, gently rubbing their back or providing a touch of warmth from your hand or bath. A great swaddle and warm bottle can be beneficial as well.
Make sure baby isn’t too hot or too cold. Having a comfortable room temperature is extremely helpful for baby. Air flow helps regulate breathing and keeps baby cool and calm. **Don’t have any fans pointed directly at baby to reduce gas build up.
Rock and Swing. Motion can be soothing to baby. Try walking while rocking baby or utilize a baby swing. This sensation allows them to calm and sleep easier.
Check clothing. Make sure there is no sticky, wet or prickly clothing that could be making your baby uncomfortable. Check their socks to make sure there aren’t any loose threads wrapped around their toes or ankles.
Take a car ride. A car ride gives baby a vibrating sensation that helps calm them. Be sure you aren’t sleepy so that you are driving safely.
Put baby in baby carrier. Although baby is on this side of earth, they still like to feel the warmth and safety of their mother’s womb. Place baby inside a carrier and walk around the house or rock back in forth. This will allow baby to feel nestled in close and listen to moms heartbeat.
Swaddle wrap. Swaddling baby in a good air-flowing fabric will allow for a better night’s sleep and recreate the feel of mom’s womb as well.
All of these techniques will help soothe and calm a fussy baby.
Recommendations on Postpartum Recovery For Mom.
All this focus on baby is great, but we need mom well too. Here are some excellent things to help mom recovery after child birth:
MUSCLE UP MOMMY® MATERNITY SUPPORT BELT
I know this may seem a little weird but, the belly binder you receive in the hospital has no ribbing, no structure and overall is a 4/10 with supporting a belly with a shrinking uterus. It is more ideal to wear a support belt that can CARRY and “CORRECT” after childbirth. Muscle Up Mommy® Maternity Support Belt forms to your body and works wonders, especially after C-section. Highly recommend!
MUSCLE UP MOMMY® POSTPARTUM COMPRESSION BELT
Postpartum is the most critical time for recovery. Once your uterus shrinks down to comfortably add more support to your core, I recommend Muscle Up Mommy® Postpartum Compression Belt. It helps to support your back and core muscles after childbirth and really helps against the laughing, coughing, and sneezing pains you feel while recovering. Highly recommend!
See it in use:
MUSCLE UP MOMMY® FUPAERASER
After your recovery period, the snapback journey begins. Muscle Up Mommy® FupaEraser helps to support workouts and aids in reducing the appearance of belly and back fat. It has been crowned the #1 waist shaper for moms and women. Highly recommend!
Each of these items combined will help support your throughout your most delicate postpartum stage, belly binding to help support your abdominal muscles after child birth and then finally, when you begin waist training to help reduce any unwanted belly and back fat.
**Disclaimer- Our editors love providing moms with the best products to make their journey easier. We may earn commission or earnings when you choose to shop any of the links provided.
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