By: Jessica Turner
In the realm of parenting, navigating the challenges of a colicky infant can be particularly taxing. My own experience began with my first child, who displayed signs of colic at just 8 weeks old. With minimal exposure to infants, I was left questioning whether my child’s incessant crying was a reflection of my parenting skills or simply a normal phase of infant development. Despite my attempts at soothing techniques—singing, dancing, or rocking—my son continued to cry loudly and persistently.
It’s essential to understand that struggling with a colicky baby does not equate to being a poor mother. My son was healthy, and the noise was simply characteristic of colic, a condition shared by many families. The knowledge that others were enduring similar experiences provided me the courage to keep trying, even when my efforts seemed futile.
Upon the birth of my second child, I quickly realized the disparity in parenting experiences. Many mothers I encountered seemed to have manageable babies, and I could now differentiate between those who understood my plight and those who did not. It’s crucial for friends and family to offer support rather than unsolicited advice, particularly when interacting with mothers of colicky infants. Here are 20 phrases to avoid:
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“Have you considered [insert clichéd advice here]?” It’s frustrating to hear the obvious; yes, I’m aware I should feed him when he shows hunger signs!
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“I’m so exhausted; I only got six hours of sleep last night.” Six hours? That sounds luxurious compared to my sleep intervals of 90 minutes.
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“Could you please quiet that child? It’s disturbing others.” Seriously? We’re at a restaurant during off-peak hours. Just wait till I start nursing—then you’ll see a show!
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“Did you catch the latest episode of [insert popular show]?” Our TV is mainly for YouTube videos of classic performers, anything to distract from the crying.
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“Are you feeling alright? You look a bit pale.” If you ask a new mother this, you might want to move quickly; she may be too fatigued to even respond.
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“When was your last shower?” Good question! It’s been a while, maybe even since last month.
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“Cherish this time; they’ll only be little for a short while.” Care to babysit while I take a break?
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“Just wait until he turns two; that’s when the real fun begins.” Thanks for that! You might as well just give me a swift kick.
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“Have you tried eliminating gluten from your diet?” Those cookies are my only solace; please don’t take them away!
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“My kids never cried like that.” How nice for you! Please keep that to yourself.
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“Can you babysit for me?” Yes, because who wouldn’t want to experience a symphony of crying?
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“It takes a village… but I’m busy today.” Just don’t.
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“Thank goodness those days are behind me.” Great, let me just go grab some lemon juice to add to that salt in my wound.
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“I’m sure he’ll outgrow this… in a few months.” Months? Right now, a few hours feel eternal.
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“Childbirth doesn’t seem so bad now, does it?” Trust me, the pain of childbirth doesn’t compare to this.
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“I remember when my baby cried for an entire hour once.” Please, tell me more while I catch a quick nap.
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“Exercise helps fight fatigue.” You know what would really fight fatigue? Sleep.
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“Why don’t you share more photos online?” Because I’m not keen on sharing images of puffy eyes and snotty noses!
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“My parents are visiting for two weeks.” You must be joking.
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“It’s odd; he never cries when I’m around.” Then he’s all yours!
Navigating these interactions can be challenging for mothers grappling with a colicky baby. Yet, there are supportive phrases that can truly make a difference. Statements like “Let me take the baby for a while” or “You should take a nap” are invaluable.
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In conclusion, supporting mothers of colicky infants requires sensitivity and understanding. Avoiding certain phrases and offering genuine help can make a world of difference.
Keyphrase: Avoiding phrases with colicky infants
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