How to Soothe Colic

Unless you've experienced it for yourself, there's no way you could understand. My mother, my friends, our extended family - they all thought it would be an easy fix. Maybe I should hold the baby longer, or give her gas medicine, or do something different. Not until I made them try to calm her that they got it. The picture here was the one we had to use for our Christmas card in 2005. Because it was the best one. Really.

Its best to hear that and know it before you buy all the gripe waters and "Miracle" cures. Get it out of your head that this is a problem you can solve overnight. This isn't something that doctors can "diagnose" because they still don't know what exactly it is. I've heard everything from overactive seratonin levels to "just really bad gas."

The good news about colic is that you CAN soothe it.

Here are some things that worked for us:
1. Wrap 'em tight! Get a large, light flannel swaddling blanket and practice a tight wrap. I read someplace that some folks have used duct tape and belts to reinforce the swaddle. Hey, whatever works man.
2. The noisier, the better. Our kid liked the vacuum noise at 2AM. So it sucked for us. As soon as we turned the thing on, Molly's face would go blank. Priceless.
3. Vibrators are a GOOD thing. Ever see that "Sex and the City" episode where Samantha (!) finds the solutions to Miranda's son's crying? A car ride or an actual vibrating chair works just as well.

There are folks out there who have been through it. You will survive, albeit more tired than you've ever been. Know that your baby will turn out perfectly normal. Mine happens to be the most stubborn three year old on the planet, but perhaps you don't need to hear that just yet. Good luck!