Congratulations on becoming a new dad! Or, if your journey resembles mine, I extend my sympathies. My son is approaching his second birthday, and while he is a delightful toddler now, I still feel compelled to mention that he was an incredibly challenging infant. Those first few months—often referred to as the fourth trimester—were draining for my wife and me, both emotionally and financially. Instead of the cherished bonding experience I had been promised, those initial months were among the hardest of my life.
At the playground, when strangers compliment my son, I can’t help but respond, “Thanks, but he was an incredibly difficult baby!” This typically leads to a lengthy, unsolicited recounting of our experiences, causing them to hastily retreat to their own children.
What Colic Looked Like for My Son
Like many newborns, my son, Max, spent the first few days mostly asleep. My wife and I thought we were prepared for parenthood. But then, Day 4 hit, and our world turned upside down.
We often joked that we had two versions of Max: the cheerful toddler he is today and the colicky baby who cried from February to late May. Max 1.0, as we called him, was a ball of rage and discomfort.
Newborns typically engage in three activities: eating, sleeping, and eliminating (yes, that’s a euphemism). Max struggled with all three. Breastfeeding was a nightmare; he couldn’t latch properly, and the advice my wife received made it feel like we were doomed to formula. He was also capable of peeing and pooping like a champ, but his gastrointestinal issues left him in agony. After feedings, he would writhe in pain, arching his back and grunting. Sleep? A great night meant a three-hour stretch followed by short bursts of wakefulness, leaving us exhausted and fraught with tension.
The crying was unlike anything I had expected. It was high-pitched, urgent, and relentless—like a cat being groomed against its will. Colic is typically described with a Rule of 3: three or more hours of crying, three or more days a week, for three or more weeks. For Max, it felt more like a Rule of 7.
Things That Failed to Cure Colic
- Fancy swaddles
- Gripe water
- Cutting dairy (my wife tried this, though I doubt it would have helped)
- Rocking chairs
- Bouncy chairs
- Swinging chairs
- Musical chairs that only made things worse
- Unsolicited advice from well-meaning individuals
The only thing that offered any relief was the “Five S’s”: swaddling, holding him on his side, swinging vigorously, shushing, and using a pacifier. I spent countless hours walking around with him, desperately trying to soothe him while watching the NBA playoffs in the background. As soon as I sat down, the screams would return. My wife, always the diligent researcher, explored every product on the market for colic relief. Most of them were useless, and our home soon overflowed with baby gear, all of which failed to help.
Despite our exhaustive efforts, including hiring a night nurse and even renting a Snoo (an overpriced bassinet that shakes the baby to sleep), nothing worked.
What Actually Helped
One method that proved effective was wearing Max in a carrier and taking walks. Unfortunately, since he was born in February in Minneapolis, “outside” meant navigating icy conditions. My solution? I strapped him to my chest and walked on the treadmill for hours, scrolling through GRE vocabulary on my phone.
In hindsight, nothing else seemed to ease his crying, though we never tried probiotics, which actually have some scientific backing. I came to realize that parenting a colicky infant wasn’t about mastering a skill; it was a grueling ordeal.
Accepting help from family made the situation slightly more bearable. We were lucky to have relatives fly in to support us, and being able to hand off a screaming baby for even a short time allowed us to recharge.
Perspective also helped; knowing that colic eventually ends was a relief. Speaking with other parents about their experiences reassured us that we weren’t alone and that our son wouldn’t remember those difficult months.
Ultimately, the only real cure for colic was time. By four months, his crying began to lessen, and by five months, colic was a thing of the past.
It Gets Better!
If you’re a dad dealing with a colicky baby, know that it will improve. Colic isn’t permanent, nor does it indicate a lasting temperament. It’s often just a symptom of an immature digestive system. While knowing this doesn’t ease the sleepless nights, it can motivate you to keep moving forward.
These days, when I look at Max, I hardly recognize the baby who once nearly drove me mad. I may never forget those challenging early months, but I am grateful for the wonderful toddler he has become.
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Summary:
This article shares a father’s candid experience with his son’s challenging colic, detailing the ineffective remedies he tried and the few strategies that brought relief. It emphasizes the importance of support and perspective during this tough phase, ultimately reminding parents that colic is temporary and will improve over time.
Keyphrase: colic baby remedies
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