We’ve all been there. It’s 3am, you’ve fed them, burped them, changed them, cuddled them and settled them back in their cot. And they still won’t stop crying.
You’ve got up again, taken them into another room (because everyone says a change of scene should do the trick – it doesn’t) and now you’re racking your brains about what could possibly be wrong with them.
If that sounds like you you’re not alone: according to NHS Choices, colic is the name for excessive, frequent crying in a baby who otherwise appears to be healthy. It affects one in five babies and tends to begin when they’re a few weeks old, lasting as long as six months.
In a bid to offer support, solidarity and information to anyone going through a rough first six months with their newborn, Britain’s number one colic remedy Infacol has made September Colic Awareness Month to helpΒ parents, carers and healthcare professionals swap stories about soothing crying babies and know that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Having been there, done it and got the T-shirt not once, not twice but three times I’ve teamed up with Infacol to help bang the drum about Colic Awareness Month by sharing my experience in a letter to the mummy whose baby won’t stop crying, and we’re also giving away a bundle of Infacol goodies for anyone dealing with trapped wind, colic and griping pain (scroll down to find out more!)
To the mummy whose baby won’t stop crying,
I get it. You’ve done everything right: bath, book, feed, wind, lots of cuddles, bed. The temperature in their bedroom is just right. The blackout blind is up. It’s been just the right amount of time since their last nap. And yet they still won’t stop crying.
They’re clenching their fists, they’re drawing their legs up to their tummy and the more they cry, the redder they get. You’re tired, they’re tired. We’re all tired.
So you pace around the living room with them straddled over your forearm, their little head cupped in your hand. Even though your arm is aching so much it feels like it might drop off.
You’ve tried the bicycle trick, laying them on their back and rotating their legs just like they’re riding a bike. Even though they hate it.
You’ve tried raising one side of their crib so their head is higher than their torso too. But still they won’t stop crying.
You wonder what you’re doing wrong, what you missed in the ante-natal class, what everyone else surely knows but you somehow don’t.
So you reach for your phone, desperately searching for answers in the half light of the night light. The trouble is infant colic is tricky to diagnose, and even the experts can’t agree on what actually causes it. All you know is trapped wind is almost certainly involved.
And the trouble is babies don’t come with instruction manuals (more’s the pity). But if they did you know colic would definitely be in it.
What can I say? You’re not alone. Try everything the experts say. Ask for all the help you can. You’ve got this and you’re doing just great. Trust your instincts. And it will get better.
Love from a mummy who’s been there, done it and got the t-shirt x
If any of the above sounds familiar we’re giving away a ‘Bubbly Bundle’ of Infacol goodies – here’s all you need to know!
WIN a bundle of Infacol goodies for Colic Awareness Month
To mark Colic Awareness Month we’ve teamed up with Infacol to give away a ‘Bubbly Bundle’ of Infacol goodies including an Izzie the Elephant cuddly toy, an embroidered sleep suit, a muslin cloth and some Infacol, in the hope that it will go towards making those first six months a little easier!
To enter the competition all you have to do is comment on this blog post saying who the bundle would be for, visit me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, visit Infacol on Facebook or follow Infacol on Twitter via the Rafflecopter form below.
The competition runs until midnight on Monday September 30, 2019 and is open to UK residents aged 18+ only. Terms and conditions apply. Good luck!
Do you have any experience dealing with colic? Do you have any top tips? We’d love to hear what they are!
This post was written in paid partnership with Infacol, which has been used by generations of parents to soothe trapped wind, colic and griping pain. It contains an anti-foaming agent called simeticone, which helps to break down gassy bubbles, and in a recent real-world study 93.2% of respondents felt that using simeticone had either improved or completely resolved their babyβs colic. It can be used form birth onwards, itβs sugar, alcohol and colourant-free and has an orange flavour. For more information click here.
My niece.
Colic is a horrir, mine didn’t have it but I know those who did had a terrible time, any thing to help is a result. #DreamTeam
Oh gosh. That brought me way back. We had this for a very short time, but even so, it’s an absolute heart breaker when nothing works to soothe them. I’m pretty sure we had luck with Infacol. Good luck to all the new mums. Thanks for joining us for the #dreamteam xx
Colic is awful. I was lucky that neither of my two had it, but a few of my friends little ones did. Well done for raising awareness! xx
My youngest is 12 weeks and still really colicky and has some mucus, this would be great for us
I think our first born was this nothing would help
Ugh, this brings back some BAD memories. Colic is shit. It’s particularly shit when BOTH your twins have it. #itsok
We were really lucky and escaped this both times. It’s so hard when they’re so little and can’t tell you what will help them feel better. #itsok
Lucky not to have experienced the whole colic thing but know how trying it can be for a mum. a) Because she is so exhausted herself and just wants to sleep and b) because it is heart-wrenching to see your baby howl and you don’t know how to stop it. Good advice here for those going through it. #itsok
Colic is the worst. it is so horrible for everyone and nothing seems to help much when you’re in the thick of it. I used infacol for my daughter to try to ease it! #kcacols
I’ve heard how bad it can be but fortunately for me I never experienced it. #itsok
It is horrific but I always remind myself that each stage you get through it and pass it X #kcacols
Gosh this post has taken me back! I think we should have bought shares in Infacol as we used it so much when my son was a baby!!! #KCACOLS
I remember this stage so well. E just used to need to be held and walked around. Then it stopped as suddenly as it started. Great chance to win infracol. #KCACOLS
It would definitely be for my newest arrival. My first 2 suffered terribly so I don’t see why this one would be any different lol.
It is always so hard a first, I remember those moments like they were yesterday. Thank you for linking up with us for #kcacols and we hope to see you next time.
This bundle would be for my new niece.
I remember those days well. My first little boy used to cry and cry and I had no idea how to make it stop. Fortunately I realised after a few weeks it was over tiredness and a good routine got us back to normality. Luckily we didnβt have any big similar with our second baby!
Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next time
It’s so common, more than people realise. We were pretty lucky with Snappy. #kcacols
Would be for my grand daughter π
It would be for my niece due in November
My niece x
My cousin has just had a baby so it would be great for them. π
It would be for a friend who has just had her first child.