Not long ago, a doctor and a team of nurses placed a red-faced, wailing infant on my chest. Although I can’t recall the chaos leading up to that moment, the instant I met my daughter, everything else faded away.
In those first few weeks, I thought, “This parenting thing is a breeze!” I even jotted down in her baby book that she rarely cried unless she was hungry or cold. My husband and I congratulated ourselves on our good fortune, blissfully unaware of the storm ahead.
As most parents would have predicted, our initial perceptions were wildly optimistic. By three weeks old, our sweet, little angel transformed into a relentless colicky monster, especially during the night. She rejected all the typical remedies—pacifiers, swings, and even her car seat—turning our days into a constant struggle. I quickly crossed out my earlier note in her baby book.
One crucial lesson I learned from having a colicky baby is that parents often hesitate to admit it, almost as if it’s a diagnosis signifying something deeply wrong. A friend once told me that her son wasn’t colicky but “on the brink.” The reality is that colic isn’t a medical label but more of a collective sigh of “I have no clue why my baby is so fussy.” So why the unwillingness to acknowledge our fellow parents in the colic community? Isn’t parenting hard enough without the fear of judgment?
Despite the overwhelming challenges, there are unexpected benefits to raising a colicky baby:
- Unshakeable Resilience: Friends with calm babies often panic when their little ones cry. After months of enduring my baby’s piercing screams, very little can rattle me now.
- A Filter for Friendship: Anyone who blames you for your baby’s fussiness or offers unsolicited advice about breastfeeding can be swiftly cut out of your life. Thanks, colic!
- Crying Expert: After hearing every type of cry, I can now identify them like old friends—albeit very annoying friends that rob us of sleep.
- Creative Mixology: Colic provides the perfect excuse to invent new cocktails, a necessary diversion during tough times.
- Vocal Improvement: Singing my favorite tunes repeatedly to soothe my baby has surprisingly enhanced my singing voice, although I now find many of those songs unbearable.
- Value of Joyful Moments: When my baby began to smile more than she cried, it felt like the sun breaking through after a long storm. Those smiles made the tough days feel less daunting.
- Smug Satisfaction: Living far from family meant they had to take my word about our baby’s fussiness. When they finally experienced her colic firsthand, I relished the satisfaction of an “I told you so.”
- Immediate Humor: My husband and I often joked about sending our daughter off to join the circus. Without colic, we might have found ourselves stuck in the sweetness that calm parents often enjoy.
While I may have resented the well-meaning advice during those trying times, the colic eventually subsided. Now, as I prepare for the 9-month sleep regression, I think I could use a good drink.
For those navigating similar challenges, you might find valuable insights in this article about navigating the heartbreak of pregnancy loss, or explore this excellent resource on artificial insemination. If you’re considering starting a family, check out our guide on using an artificial insemination kit.
In summary, while dealing with a colicky baby can be exhausting, it also comes with unique opportunities for growth and perspective. Embracing these unexpected benefits can make the journey of parenthood all the more rewarding.