Fussy Baby/Frustrated Baby

Reagan's "colic" symptoms were textbook- started at 2 weeks, peaked at 6 weeks, subsized at 5 months. Inconsolable crying for long periods of time and a sense of serious discomfort for my baby. As a first time mom, this was a very difficult time. While my friends-also first-time moms, were enjoying these first months with their babies, I was almost in tears most nights. We tried everything to console her (strollers, car rides, pacifiers, sshhing, swaddling, bouncy seats, swings, the amby bed.. and on and on). One by one, we'd conclude that she didn't like them. We went through all of tests to rule out reflux, gasteo issues, teething, etc. Every pediatrician's appointment, I prayed for the "ah ha" moment where I would go home with a cured baby- it never came.

Reagan struggled in public places and new faces would set her off into tears. We didn't want to isolate ourselves, so we would try outings but knew they would probably be cut short. A few times I went to Target and saw new moms pushing around their new stroller with a sleeping baby inside. That looked amazing to me- but so far from our reality. Our new stroller was practically unused.

The diagnosis of colic was unsettling to me as no one could tell me exactly what it was and what it was caused by. I was just told- constant crying to extended periods of time is colic. But I needed to find out why she was crying and what I could do to help her. My lifesaver was a book called, "The Fussy Baby" by Dr. Sears. Also "Your Fussy Baby" by Dr. Marc Weissbluth and "Raising Your Spirited Child" by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka were great books. Even though we never did figure out the "why", these books gave great advice for parenting high needs babies, who require a great deal of soothing, holding etc. And the best thing I got from these books was reassurance that "you will get through this".

And we did! Now at 6 months, we couldn't be happier. Reagan is a happy, curious, full-of-energy little girl. We weathered the storm of our fussy days and they now seem like a distant memory.

Sad Baby

For the newer mommies out there I wanted to retell my story of Brett's unhappiness during her first 3 1/2 months of life.

Brett cried for most of her first 3 1/2 months of life. Being a first time mommy I really didn't know that it wasn't "normal." She had to be held constantly and she would do this grunt-like cry, even if held. It was so sad, but again, I thought it was normal. That is, until I went to a baby shower when Brett was almost 2 months old. All of mom's there kept saying things like, "wow, you have your work cut out for you" and "you really have your hands full." I came home and talked to my mom about it and she said, "It's really not typical for a baby to cry this much unless she is colicky."

So, off to the doctor we went. After a series of questions he ruled out colic because she was sleeping like a normal newborn should sleep. He said it must be what I was eating since she was purely breastfed. First, he told me to eliminate dairy. I did this and it did seem to help (after a while, because dairy takes 2 weeks to clear out of your system). Still, she wasn't as happy as I thought she should be.

Next, the pediatrician put me on an elimination diet. All I was allowed to eat for four days was chicken, squash, steamed rice and peaches. I was STARVING, but I did it. There was absolutely no change to Brett's disposition. I called the doctor after four days and he said to try it for three more days... OMG! Well, I did, and still no change.

After calling the doctor again with the last bit of strength that I had (since I had eaten so little) he told me that there was one other possibility. He said, "for the heck of it, stop taking your prenatal vitamins."

I stopped taking the prenatal vitamins and that very next day Brett was a different baby! She was happy!!!

So, I'm not sure if it was that she had grown out of the problem at 3 1/2 months, if it was the removal of the vitamins, or if the stars all aligned properly but whatever it was she has been a different, happier baby and my husband and I are happier now, too. A crying baby can really put a strain on things...