Almost eight months ago, a doctor and a team of nurses placed a squirmy, splotchy baby on my chest. I was told there was a whirlwind of activity leading up to that moment, but honestly, it all faded away once I met my daughter.
In the early weeks, my main thought was, “Wow, this parenting thing is a breeze.” I even jotted down in her baby book, “She only cries when she’s hungry or chilly.” My husband and I were patting ourselves on the back for having such an easy baby.
Most parents can probably see where we went wrong and might be chuckling at our innocence. As it turns out, those first few weeks are not a reliable indicator of a baby’s temperament.
At three weeks old, my once-adorable little angel morphed into a fussy little monster, particularly at night. This transformed into a relentless battle with what we affectionately termed “the colic creature.” To make matters worse, she wasn’t a fan of any of the usual remedies—pacifiers, swings, or even her car seat. Those were challenging days, and I quickly crossed out that earlier line in her baby book.
One thing I discovered while navigating life with a colicky baby is that no parent wants to admit it, as if it’s a serious diagnosis. I recall a conversation with my hairstylist who insisted her child didn’t have colic but was “on the verge.” While colic isn’t an official diagnosis, it can feel isolating to admit that your baby is particularly fussy.
However, even amidst the tough times, there are unexpected perks to having a colicky child:
- Iron-Clad Nerves: Friends with calm babies often panic when their little ones act up. After months of enduring my daughter’s high-pitched wails, I’ve developed a level of calm that most parents envy.
- Cutting Toxic Ties: Anyone who suggests you’re the cause of your baby’s fussiness—be it through breastfeeding or holding them too often—can be politely shown the door. Thanks to colic, I now know who to avoid!
- Cry Translator Extraordinaire: After listening to every variation of my baby’s cries, I can now distinguish them like old friends—albeit friends who keep me awake at night.
- Creative Cocktail Inventor: You’ll find yourself concocting new drinks just to cope with the chaos. After all, who wouldn’t need a little pick-me-up?
- Vocal Enhancement: I serenaded my baby with my favorite tunes countless times, and I must say, my singing voice has definitely improved—though now, I’ve developed a strong aversion to many of those songs.
- Gratitude for the Good Moments: When my baby transitioned from crying to smiling, it felt like sunshine breaking through the clouds. Those rare moments of joy made the tough times feel more manageable.
- A Dash of Smugness: Living far from family meant they had to trust me when I said my baby was fussy. When they finally witnessed it firsthand, I savored the satisfaction of being right.
- Quick Wit: My husband and I often joked about sending our daughter to the circus. Without colic, we might have been stuck in a blissful bubble instead of embracing the humor in our situation.
While I might have been annoyed by anyone trying to reassure me back then, I can now say that colic eventually passed. Now, I’m just bracing myself for the nine-month sleep regression. For more insights and tips about home insemination, be sure to check out our other blog posts, including this one on pregnancy and home insemination. You can also enhance your fertility journey with helpful resources like Boost Fertility Supplements and learn more about IUI success rates.
In summary, while having a colicky baby can be incredibly challenging, it also brings unexpected growth, resilience, and humor into your life.