When I discovered I was pregnant with my third child, it was a bit of a shock. To add to the surprise, I was feeling utterly miserable throughout the entire nine months. My trusty strawberry-flavored pill, known as Zofran, became my lifeline, helping me navigate the day.
By the time June rolled around, I was more than ready to welcome my baby. I was enormous, battling heartburn just from the sight of a glass of water, and barely able to move. Surely, things would improve once this little one made their grand entrance, right? I daydreamed about those serene afternoon naps with my newborn resting on my chest, and I knew I would shed a tear at the first birthday party, overwhelmed by nostalgia for those precious baby days.
Then reality hit. The moment he arrived, I was overwhelmed by the challenges of nursing a fiercely hungry, tongue-tied baby, and it quickly became apparent that he was nothing like his older siblings.
At around two weeks old, things took a turn for the worse. Our baby began to cry—no, not the gentle whimper of a typical newborn, but a full-throated, blood-curdling scream that would last for hours. He’d clench his tiny fists, his face would flush crimson, and the crying would typically kick off between 5 and 7 PM and continue until midnight or later. This was our daily routine.
If you’ve never faced colic, let me tell you, it’s a different kind of battle. It can break you. It can lead to frustration and deep-rooted anger. That relentless nightly crying affects your entire well-being, no matter how calm the days might be.
As someone who thrives on action, my instinct was to fix this. I believed that by reading enough books, scouring the internet, and trying every technique out there, I could make it stop. But nothing worked. We would often find ourselves sitting in the dark, as any form of light or stimulation seemed to exacerbate his cries. I rocked him for hours, feeling helpless and numb, sometimes shedding tears right alongside him. This phase lasted an exhausting seven months.
I was mentally exhausted from the screaming, consumed by the irrational fear of being reported for child abuse (living in an apartment with neighbors above and below us didn’t help). The lack of sleep was relentless. By the third baby, I thought I should have it all together. I should be able to manage. I should feel an instant bond with my little one.
But honestly, I found it hard to connect with him. Unlike my other children, caring for his needs felt like a chore. I didn’t even want to hold him, as he would only settle when I did. My resentment grew, not only toward him but also toward my partner, who got to leave for work each day.
Finally, around the eight-month mark, we decided to tackle sleep training again, and this time, we were determined. Miraculously, it worked! Around the same time, he transitioned from nursing to a bottle, and I embraced the newfound freedom that formula provided (sometimes it really is better!).
Now, our little guy is a world away from those colicky days. By his first birthday, he became a joy to be around. He sleeps wonderfully, sports a huge grin, and has an amazing sense of humor that delights his older brothers.
So, to all the parents in the trenches: it will get better. I promise you, brighter days are ahead. In the meantime, safeguard your sanity. If you feel overwhelmed, gently place your baby in a safe space and take a breather. And for goodness’ sake, don’t hesitate to ask for help! If you’re in the area, I’d be happy to bring you a meal.
For more insightful parenting advice, check out this comprehensive guide on IVF and its processes. And if you’re looking into at-home insemination options, you can explore the at-home insemination kit or the intracervical insemination syringe kit for more information.
In summary, remember that the tough times won’t last forever. Every parent has their unique journey, and there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.
Keyphrase: Surviving a colicky baby
Tags: “home insemination kit”, “home insemination syringe”, “self insemination”