8 Surprising Advantages of Having a Colicky Baby

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Approximately eight months ago, a medical team placed a distressed, splotchy infant on my chest. While there was much happening behind the scenes, I felt as though I had entered a dream when I first met my daughter.

In those early weeks, I thought to myself, “This is a breeze.” I even noted in her baby book, “She only cries when hungry or cold.” My partner and I felt fortunate to have such an easy baby.

However, many parents can quickly identify our misstep and might even chuckle at our ignorance. The first few weeks of a baby’s life do not necessarily indicate their overall temperament.

By three weeks old, my sweet little angel transformed into what felt like an alien creature. The nighttime hours became a battleground against what we referred to as “the colic monster.” Not only did she suffer from colic, but she also rejected every attempted remedy—pacifiers, swings, and even her car seat were all met with disdain. It was a tough period, and I promptly crossed out that optimistic line in her baby book.

One important lesson I gleaned from caring for a colicky baby is that many parents hesitate to admit it. They fear it implies a serious issue or even a diagnosis. For example, my hairdresser mentioned her son was “on the edge” of colic, but colic itself is more a state of fussiness than a definitive diagnosis. Why not embrace the reality of colic without the stigma? Parenthood is already challenging enough without the isolation that comes from worrying about judgment.

Unexpected Benefits of Having a Colicky Baby

Despite the challenges, there are some unexpected benefits of having a colicky baby:

1. Resilience Under Pressure: Friends with calm babies often struggle when their children cry, but after months of my infant’s relentless wailing, I’ve developed a tolerance for noise that others may not possess.
2. Identifying True Friends: If someone suggests that your parenting choices are the cause of your baby’s fussiness, you have a valid reason to distance yourself from that individual. Thank you, colic!
3. Enhanced Communication Skills: After hearing every possible cry, I can easily interpret my baby’s needs. It’s like knowing a group of old friends, albeit unpleasant ones that disrupt sleep.
4. Creative Drinking: Colic provides the perfect excuse to experiment with new cocktails—after all, every parent deserves a break now and then.
5. Vocal Improvement: Singing to soothe my baby has inadvertently improved my singing voice, although I’ve grown to despise many of those once-beloved songs.
6. Gratitude for Good Moments: When my baby transitioned from cries to smiles, I felt as if I had witnessed a miracle. Those joyful moments became more precious in contrast to the challenging days.
7. Justifiable Smugness: Living far from family meant they had to take my word for how fussy our baby was. When they finally experienced her temperament firsthand, I felt a sense of satisfaction in my earlier claims.
8. Quick Wit Development: My husband and I often joked about sending our daughter to the circus, and the humor we found in our situation helped us cope with the stress. Without colic, we might have found ourselves lost in more mundane experiences.

While I may have been frustrated by well-meaning advice during the toughest moments, it’s worth noting that colic eventually subsided. Now, as I brace myself for the nine-month sleep regression, I find solace in knowing I’m not alone in this journey. For further insights into parenting challenges, check out our blog post on privacy policies here. Additionally, if you’re interested in fertility resources, consider visiting this authority on fertility boosters. For those wanting to learn more about donor insemination, this is an excellent resource.

In summary, while a colicky baby can feel daunting, there are hidden advantages that can lead to personal growth and resilience.