[Lauren0603]

Okay - were any of our July 08 babies colicky? I mean truly colicky, not just witching hour fussiness? How did you cope? Do you have any advice? How long did it last? Was your LO's personality still difficult after the colic passed, or did you see a complete turn around?

Henry had a witching hour episode most days in the early months, and even had a bout of reflux that made him extra cranky for a couple of weeks until we got him on meds. I thought that was bad.

Stella is in a league of her own. This poor baby cries all day. I feel wretched that I can't find a way to make her happy and comfortable most of the time. We've done all the recommended things to help ease her discomfort: elevation during and after feedings and when sleeping, smaller meals more frequently, Mylicon, Hyosine drops, frequent burping, rice starch in the formula, etc. It is better if I'm holding her, and I'm trying to accommodate that need as much as possible (got a wrap-carrier this week), but there are still hours of the day when just holding her doesn't soothe her. As these days wear on, I find my nerves getting shorter and shorter. Today I drove three hours to attend a bridal shower for my brother's fiancee. Stella slept the whole way there, and was pleasant and alert during the shower. My mom, who went with me, kept teasingly accusing me of telling "stories" about how bad Stella's colic is, because she was such a great little traveler and baby today. Then, to prove the point, she began crying when we left the shower and proceeded to cry the ENTIRE four hours back home (included a stop for supper.) When I got home, I handed the crying baby off to Zac and retreated to a hot shower. I couldn't stand one more minute of it.

My heart absolutely BREAKS every time she starts crying. Even when I know all her needs are met, I still feel guilty about not being able to make her happy. I took it for granted that Henry was such a happy baby. I could lay him down anywhere - play yard, a blanket, his bouncer, the swing, etc.- and he would be totally content for up to 20-30 minutes just looking around. He seemed to enjoy "talking" to me from very early on, and even before he was smiling, his face just lit up when we were holding him and cooing at him. Stella just seems miserable all the time. It kills me.

We just started Prevacid for her in the last two days. It takes a little while to work its way into their systems before you see improvement, but I'm really praying for a miracle. I know she is hurting. Please tell me when this phase passes, she will be a happy baby.

[erinangele]

I am so sorry, a crying baby is enough to rattle any mother's nerves. Enzo went through a period where anytime he was awake he was crying (high pitched screaming is actually more accurate). I forgot all about it until you brought it up now, funny how time does that. Anyway, i believe it stopped around 2 1/2 months, after that he was happy as a clam.

The book, "The Happiest Baby On the Block" really helped me sooth him. If i remember correctly its swaddle, swing, suck, shush, and i cant remember the fifth. Colic usually ends around 3 months, and it does not mean that she will be a fussy or unhappy baby. Enzo has been an extremely happy little guy ever since we got out of the colic phase. I know how upsetting it is, hang in there it WILL get better!

[Army_Wife]

I'm sorry, Lauren! I've had to reflux babies, so I can relate to the endless crying. Mine usually cried during and after feedings. I will say the Prevacid was our miracle with both kids. It took a few days to see slight improvement and about 2 weeks befor major improvement. I ditto Erin's suggestion of reading the Happiest Baby on the Block. He gives lots of good advice about soothing a crying baby.

I know it wears on the nerves. And it's exhausting and even more difficult when you have an older child to care for as well. Hang in there! I hope the Prevacid starts to help Stella, and in the mean time, just make sure you get some "me" time everday. Zac can comfort Stella and occupy Henry while you take a long shower and maybe even read a magazine or something. KUP on how it's going!

[Dibble]

Lauren! I'm so sorry you and Stella are having to go through this. I believe Charlie had an undiagnosed case of reflux but she eventually got over it. I, on the other hand, had HORRIBLE reflux while pregnant. It hit early on in my pregnancy. I was put on Prilosec and it didn't do anything for me. Then they put me on Reglan. My doc said babies are put on it when they have reflux/digestion issues. It worked really well for me. So, if you don't get the results you're seeking with Prevacid, maybe talk to Stella's ped. about Reglan. I hope you both have some relief soon. BTW: I love the name Stella

[lovemyboysandabbey2]

Ohhh boy, do I feel your pain, Abbey was VERY colicky every night from 6-11pm was non stop screaming and then during the day was on and off crying. NOTHING I did helped her, I was about to go crazy! The only thing that worked with her was walking in circles over and over and over again, it was awful!
to this day she still cries A LOT, she has just always been different than my boys, very difficult!
(((hugs))))

[makeupmama]

Nic screamed ALL the time. The Happiest baby on the block method is lay them on their side, sway them, have them suck on something, and make a loud shushing sound, and swaddle them really well. That would help get her to sleep but she had really bad tummy problems. I used to hold her with my arm putting pressure on her tummy to relieve the pain. Then I found soy formula. That really did the trick for her. Unfortunately I didn't try it for awhile. GL, I know how horrible it can be to have a colicky baby.
And with Xander nothing soothed him. He didn't respond to anything and now I know why but then it was crazy. People say no one gets 2 colic babies. Hmph.

[Karlie]

Oh honey, I'm so sorry! Crying babies are so hard! Noah never had reflux or anything, but he was an absolute misery guts. If he was awake he was crying, and since he rarely slept that was pretty much all the time. I used to have to breastfeed in the shower because it was the only place he would stop screaming long enough to eat, and bounce on a stupid exercise ball for 8 hours a day to calm him. It was so hard, but it must be a million times harder when you also have a toddler to care for. Noah snapped out of it when he was 4.5 months old and could sit up by himself and he's been a mostly happy chappy ever since. I really don't have any advise other than 'this too shall pass' and to try not to let it get you down too much. (((Hugs!)))

[Sweetpea0708]

I hope the Prevacid helps...I have no advice

[misfitinmn]

Ben wasn't hugely colicy, but he definitely had his moments and I do totally remember the frazzled nerves for sure! BIG HUGS for you, Lauren! Just make sure you are getting a little break each day to keep yourself sane - it doesn't mean you don't love Stella, you just need a break! I am sure it will pass within a couple of months (which I know is the last thing you want to hear, MONTHS sound like it could take decades and isn't soon enough!). I would like to second (or third or fourth) the recommendation for the Happiest Baby on the Block!! That was our MIRACLE with Ben - I could get him to sleep in his swing, swaddled with a paci & it was AMAZING. Of course, he was swaddled until he was 7 months old, but it really did help him get some rest when he was really resisting!

[*Dayna*]

My son had reflux and colic so I feel your pain. It was horrendous.

Only thing that made him 'happy' was to be outside. That was it. Do you take him outside? Just walk around with him?

[Army_Wife]

I was also going to ask if your BFing or FFing. If you're FFing, maybe trying a sensitive formula might help. I know Carlie did much better on the Prevacid and Similac Sensitive than she did on regular formula.

[misfitinmn]

And to add, if you are BF, she may have a milk protein sensitivity - I know Ben was a different baby when I stopped having dairy (it was SO hard, but lasted less than 6 months) - I think it just bothered his little tummy. Stacey's post just made me remember that!

[fennifer]

Oh Lauren!!!!!! {{{HUGS}}}

Ava was like that. I promise it'll get better. Ava's a perfect child now (lol, i'm partial, i know) She cried, and cried all day, all night, no matter what. I'd be up 7 times a night with her during an 8 hour night just trying to soothe her... I read every book, every article, asked my mom, my ob, my pedi for help and NOTHING helped. UGH! I cried almost as much as she did. I was so frustrated, i even made my OB put my on antidepressants because i couldnt take it. And DH was really no help at all. Anyway, i tend to black out that part of motherhood. I can't imagine going through it again. It really does get better.

Ava was a horrible wreck until about 3 or 4 months. She got better. She wasn't a reflux baby, but she was (is) allergic to milk. So when i ate anything with milk and then nursed her, she was inconsolable. And that was on top of her colic.

Anyway, nothing helps, really... just be patient. Easier said then done, i know. The only thing that helped me was thinking, OK, Ava needs me. She doesn't know anything, she's new, and she needs me.. otherwise i'd just honestly get ticked that she was crying for no apparent reason. Also, what would help sometimes is I'd wrap her up, take her into the bathroom, shut the lights off (it would be pitch black in there w/o the lights) and i'd turn on the bathroom fan and just stand and sway with her. I kind of think it reminded her of her happier days back in my belly. That would instantly quiet her. But, then as soon as we came out of the bathroom, we'd be crying again :/ And it's a vicious cycle... when they cry they suck in so much air, so then they have these uncomfortable bellies and all this gas and pressure they cant get rid of, so they cry more, and then get more air..AhhhH!!!!!!!!

Anyway, we're living proof, it gets better. You be strong, ok momma?? You can do it, love your babies. I promise it gets easier. Stella just needs to figure things out. And in the mean time, msg me on Facebook if you need to talk!

[*Dayna*]

With my son it lasted for five months. Then one day he woke up and was happy as can be.

[Lauren0603]

Thanks everyone. We're on day 5 of the Prevacid, and I'm almost scared to say it - in case I jinx myself - but yesterday was an overall better day. It could have been one of her flukey good days; she has a good one at least once a week... but I'm sure praying this was a breakthrough and that the meds are maybe starting to help.

Thank you all for your support and advice. I know if it's really colic, it's just going to take some time to work itself out. I'm just trying to make her as comfortable as I can in the mean time. It does seem especially hard because I also have Henry to care for. He's just too young to understand that Stella needs me so much, and I know his little feelings get hurt.

[MomOfWar]

I don't really have any advice, but just wanted to say that I'm glad she seems to be doing better and hope the Prevacid is working.