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Colic Sanity Savers

Tips to Help Keep Your Cool While Coping with a High-needs Baby

By Harmony Cornwell

"Singing will relax both yourself and the baby," Henkelman says. She says her mom shared some great advice: It's important to focus on relaxing yourself first when you're trying to relax your baby. Other methods Henkelman used to relax herself and her son were white noise, loud ssshhh-ing and taking a warm shower.

If you feel that you are close to your breaking point take a time-out. "Even if it is five minutes sitting in the car listening to music," McArthur says.

Different people use different methods to calm down. Find one that works for you and use it when needed. Taking a bubble bath, stretching or taking a nap with your baby are all ways to calm down. And remembering that you are not the reason your baby is crying can help you keep your cool.

Bringing in professional support can give you and your family a much needed break. The support can come in the form of housekeeping services, a babysitter to come and play with older children while you take a nap or a postpartum doula.

"A postpartum doula will come into the home and hold the baby to allow Mom and Dad to get some sleep, or take a break," McArthur says. You can hire a doula to help during the day or if you find you need more support during the night you can hire one to pull a night shift with you.

Colic isn't forever. The best advice to keep your sanity when your baby has colic is to remember that it will go away. Most times, by 3 months of age a colicky baby is calmer and cries less.

"You will survive this," Zavala says.

Want to see more?

• Check out our Article Library.
• Crying Times: A Colic Primer for New Parents
• Shhhhhh! Using White Noise to Calm a Fussy Newborn
• Coping with Colic: How to Help Your Baby – And Yourself
• Talk about it!

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