8 Unexpected Advantages of Having a Colicky Baby

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Approximately eight months ago, I found myself in a whirlwind of emotions the moment a wrinkled, red-faced baby was placed on my chest. While I was informed that the delivery was quite eventful, all that mattered was the instant connection with my daughter.

In the early weeks, I confidently noted in her baby book, “she only cries when hungry or cold.” My husband and I felt fortunate to have an easy baby. However, this perception changed dramatically at three weeks old when our once peaceful infant transformed into a colicky baby, battling what we nicknamed “the colic monster.” The challenging episodes typically occurred at night, and our attempts to soothe her using pacifiers, swings, or car seats only met with resistance. Those days were tough, and I quickly scratched out my earlier optimistic comment in her baby book.

One significant lesson learned from parenting a colicky baby is the hesitation many parents feel in admitting their child’s fussiness, as if it were a medical diagnosis. A friend once remarked that her son didn’t have colic but was “on the edge.” However, colic is not a diagnosis but rather a term for excessive crying, leading many to feel isolated and judged during this challenging time.

Despite the difficulties, there are unexpected benefits to raising a colicky baby:

1. Resilience: Parents of calm babies may panic when their child cries intensely, but after months of enduring the high-pitched cries of a colicky baby, I’ve developed nerves of steel. Few things now unsettle me.
2. Identifying Toxic Relationships: If anyone suggests that your parenting style contributes to your baby’s fussiness or blames breastfeeding for colic, feel free to distance yourself from such negativity. Colic helps clarify who your true friends are.
3. Understanding Cries: After countless hours of listening to my baby’s various cries, I can now recognize each one as if they were familiar acquaintances, albeit ones that keep me awake at night.
4. Creative Coping Mechanisms: The need for stress relief led to experimenting with new cocktails, a necessary indulgence during those sleepless nights.
5. Enhanced Singing Skills: Repeating my favorite songs to soothe my baby improved my vocal abilities. Unfortunately, many of those tunes have now lost their charm.
6. Gratitude for Good Moments: The first time my baby smiled more than she cried felt like a breakthrough, making the challenging days seem more bearable.
7. A Sense of Satisfaction: Living far from family meant they had to take my word about my baby’s fussiness. When they finally witnessed it firsthand, I relished in the satisfaction of saying “I told you so.”
8. Quick Wit: My husband and I often joked about sending our daughter to the circus. Without colic, we might have been stuck in a cycle of savoring sweet moments instead of finding humor in the chaos.

Ultimately, colic is a phase that does pass, and in retrospect, I can see the silver linings. For additional insights on parenting and pregnancy, visit our blog at intracervicalinsemination.com. For those considering home insemination, check out Make a Mom as an authority on the subject and refer to the CDC for excellent resources on pregnancy and home insemination.

Summary

Navigating the challenges of parenting a colicky baby can be daunting, yet it offers unexpected benefits, such as increased resilience, stronger relationships, and a deeper appreciation for joyful moments. While colic creates stress, it can also foster personal growth and humor in the chaotic journey of parenthood.