Nearly eight months ago, a doctor and a team of nurses placed a red, blotchy baby on my chest. There was certainly a lot happening before that moment, but once I met my daughter, everything else faded into the background.
In those early weeks, my primary thought was, “Wow, this is a breeze.” I even noted in her baby book, “She only cries when she’s hungry or cold.” My husband and I patted ourselves on the back for scoring an easy baby.
But most parents can probably see where we went wrong and are chuckling at our innocence. The first few weeks of an infant’s life don’t necessarily reflect their true temperament.
At three weeks old, my sweet, squishy angel transformed into a creature that seemed to belong to another realm. Most of the chaos unfolded during night hours, and it soon morphed into a relentless struggle with what we affectionately dubbed “the colic monster.” To make matters worse, she rejected nearly every remedy—pacifiers, swings, and even her car seat. Those were tough days, and I quickly crossed out that optimistic line in her baby book.
One thing I discovered while navigating the world of colic is that many parents are reluctant to admit they have a colicky baby, as if it were a medical condition or a sign that something is deeply wrong. My hairdresser once mentioned that her child didn’t have colic, but was “on the verge.” While colic isn’t exactly a diagnosis but more of a “your baby is just fussy” situation, I’m convinced no baby can be “on the verge” of colic.
Why the reluctance to connect with fellow parents who are also facing colicky babies? Parenting is challenging enough; why add the stress of isolation for fear of judgment over your cranky little one?
Despite its heavy cloud, colic does have a silver lining. Here are some unexpected benefits of having a colicky baby:
- Nerves of Steel: Friends with easygoing babies panic when their little ones cry. After enduring months of my baby’s relentless wailing, there’s very little that can rattle me now.
- Identifying True Friends: If someone suggests you caused your baby’s fussiness or that breastfeeding is to blame, you now have a solid reason to distance yourself from that person. Thanks, colic!
- Mastering Baby Language: After hearing every type of cry, I can now recognize my baby’s needs with ease. It’s like knowing a bunch of bad friends who keep waking you up at night.
- Creative Drink Recipes: You’ll find yourself inventing new cocktails just to cope.
- Singing Skills on the Rise: Repeatedly singing my favorite songs to soothe my baby improved my voice—though now I can’t stand most of those tunes.
- Cherishing the Good Moments: The first time my baby smiled more than she screamed felt like a burst of sunshine. Suddenly, the tough times seemed less daunting.
- A Dash of Smugness: Living far from family meant they had to take my word on how fussy our baby was. When they finally visited and witnessed the chaos firsthand, I enjoyed a little “I told you so” moment.
- Developing a Sense of Humor: My husband and I joked about sending our daughter off to the circus. Without colic, we might have been stuck savoring sweet moments—whatever that means for parents of calm babies.
Though I might have wanted to throw a shoe at anyone who tried to offer reassurance during those times, colic eventually faded away. Now, I’m just bracing myself for the impending nine-month sleep regression.
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Summary
Navigating the challenges of having a colicky baby can feel overwhelming, but it also brings unexpected benefits. From building resilience and strengthening friendships to enhancing your singing voice, there are silver linings to be found. Embracing the chaos, you’ll discover a new appreciation for the joyful moments and perhaps even a few laughs along the way.