Tips For Staying Sane With a Colicky Baby
Every parent hopes that their baby will come out angelic and quiet with sweet little eyes. They imagine a perfect sleeper and maybe a few squeaks here and there. However, as a first-time parent who has never dealt with colic before, it can be an overwhelming thing to accept.
Although there are many theories about what exactly colic is, there is no medical explanation which applies to every baby. By definition, colic is a state of crying for more than 3 hours at a time for more than 3 days a week. This can be overwhelming for parents who have no idea what to do and feel powerless watching their baby in such a state of distress. In some cases, if a baby is experiencing other symptoms that can be a cause for concern for the parents, they may want to go to their nearest pediatric clinic such as pediatric urgent care in fort worth, for example, to have their baby looked at if there is something else going on at the same time. New parents can get all tangled up in what they are supposed to do when something like this happens to their baby.
Some people have tried to come up with ways to ease the colic, but there is no one way that applies to every baby. You can control how you react, however. Here are some tips for how to stay sane when you find yourself with a colicky baby.
Sleep When The Baby Sleeps
When you finally get your little one down which may be even as little as 30 minutes at a time in the beginning, you should use this time to rest yourself as well. Even though you may have the urge to take care of housework, drink yourself into oblivion, or other pressing items that you have been putting on hold while taking care of a baby, your rest is crucial.
When you don’t get enough sleep you put your baby at risk as well. When you are in a fatigued state of mind you aren’t performing at your best. Therefore, try to get sleep as soon as your infant is sleeping.
Ask Friends and Family For Help
A colicky baby can be so emotional for a person that it can be enough to make many people have panic attacks. The distress of not being able to make your baby feel better can range from everything from feeling angry to sad to just plain confused.
Don’t be afraid to ask friends and family for help if you need to walk away. You are doing yourself and the baby a greater favor by being the best version of yourself by taking a break rather than running yourself ragged.
Remember That This Too Shall Pass
One of the most important things to keep in mind in order to keep your head on straight is that this is only one small chapter in the baby’s life and in yours. Even though every hour of screaming may seem to drag on like they might never end, it will eventually.
Try to remember in these moments of stress that this is not forever and you will make it through this.