Almost eight months ago, a doctor and several nurses placed a red, blotchy baby on my chest. While I was told a lot was happening before that moment, I felt as if I was in a daze, as the arrival of my daughter was all that truly mattered.
During her early weeks, I confidently thought, “Wow, this parenting thing is a breeze.” I even noted in her baby book, “She only cries when she’s hungry or cold.” My partner, Mark, and I congratulated ourselves for getting an easy baby. Little did we know, our optimism was misplaced.
At three weeks old, our sweet, squishy angel transformed into a wailing tempest. This shift mostly occurred at night, leading to a relentless struggle with what we named “the colic monster.” She was averse to nearly every remedy we tried—refusing pacifiers, swings, and even her car seat. It was challenging, to say the least. I quickly revised my earlier entry in her baby book.
One thing I discovered about having a colicky baby is that many parents hesitate to admit their child is colicky, as if it’s a serious diagnosis. A friend once claimed her son was “on the verge” of colic. Truthfully, colic isn’t an official diagnosis; it’s more of a “your baby is just fussy” situation. Why the reluctance to connect with fellow parents facing similar struggles? Parenting is tough enough without isolating ourselves out of fear of judgment.
Yet, even in the midst of this difficult experience, there are unexpected upsides to having a colicky baby:
- Nerves of Steel: Friends with calm babies often panic when their little ones cry, but after months of enduring my baby’s shrieks, I’ve learned to remain composed amidst chaos.
- Weeding Out Toxic Friends: If anyone dares to suggest that I caused my baby’s fussiness or that breastfeeding is the culprit, I now have a valid reason to sever ties with them. Thanks, colic!
- Mastering the Language of Cries: After hearing every possible cry from my little one, I can now distinguish them like old friends—albeit very annoying friends that wake us at all hours.
- Creative Drinking: The need to cope leads to inventing new cocktails. I mean, who wouldn’t need a drink after a long night?
- Improved Singing Skills: I belted out my favorite tunes countless times to soothe my baby, and surprisingly, my singing voice improved. Unfortunately, I now have a strong dislike for most of those songs.
- Heightened Appreciation for Good Days: When my baby started smiling more than crying, it felt like the sun breaking through clouds. Those moments made the tough days seem more manageable.
- A Smug Satisfaction: Living far from family meant they had to take my word for it that our baby was fussy. When they finally experienced it themselves, it was gratifying to feel justified in my claims.
- A Quick Wit: My husband and I often joked about sending our daughter off to the circus. Without colic, we would have been stuck cherishing sweet moments like parents with easy babies.
Ultimately, while I may have wanted to strangle anyone who tried to reassure me back then, it’s true that colic eventually subsided. Now, I just need a little vodka to prepare for the upcoming nine-month sleep regression.
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In conclusion, while having a colicky baby can feel overwhelming, it can also lead to personal growth, stronger relationships, and a unique sense of humor that might just make the journey a bit easier.