Is he colicky?

I ventured out today with Connor to our first new mommy class at the Y. Of course Connor was up to his usual tricks, screaming, hard to console, pulling off the breast... All the thngs that he always does that I guess I am just used to and thought was normal. Well he was clearly the loudest crankiest baby there (also almost the youngest, however). The woman sitting next to me asked me if Connor was colicky. I thought that was really rude, actually. I just said - who knows? He just cries, he's only 4 weeks old.

I thought going to the class would make me feel better, but actually it made me feel worse. Not to mention the fact that I found alot of the women there to be so cliquey. Like high school all over again. I missed the love of my LIW ladies!

Jessica

Connor is a baby...crying is what they do best! Don't let anyone make you feel bad! Give your little man a

J -

I wish my pookie was out in the open because I would say let's join a class together. Maybe we can try to get that going again after June?

He's only 4 weeks old!!! He's a new kid on the block!!! Don't let those clicky chicks get to ya!!!!

Who cares what those girls think, as long as you and Connor are happy, that's all that matters!

Want a 39 week, hormone infested pregnant woman to come with you? Too bad I live so far away!!

Yeah, we'll all take them on!

awe Jess!

He's too cute to be colicky!

Just wanted to offer you some

As Michele said - colic is actually a very rare condition. I don't remember the percent, but not NEARLY as high as you would think.

Sophia was diagnosed as colicky and to this day I am still not sure, but it's the only excuse for such prolonged fussiness and crankiness.

First of all - kudos to you for going to a mommy and me class at 4 weeks. Brave, confident, good for you! Eff that witch who said that. Please. All babies cry. They wail - they screech , they turn bright purple sometimes. I mean come on. What fantasy world is SHE in.

As far as the colic goes. Talk to your doctor. There are so many things it could be and actually many peope have differeng opinions as to what it even is!!! My doctor for example believes that it's a product of being overstimulated. He says that is why she likes the 'white noise' to block out the stimulants . The books say it's a gas issue. I never believed the gas thing because severe gas involves stiffening up and high pitched screaming out of nowhere. None of which Sophia does.

Pulling off the breast could be gas, or needing to burp. She did that a lot at around 6 weeks. In general, Sophia is just super fussy. She's cranky. She wakes up crying. She screams in certain positions that she liked 10 minutes ago. She screams when she wakes up in her car seat. When she goes in the car, when she gets put in the swing, and so on. It's a challenge, but each day I must say it's getting better.

But it does take time. Be patient.

I've been posting this site about fussing while nursing, b/c it helped me a lot in the beginning to figure out what the problem was.

Kelly Mom

I agree with the others about ignoring what people say. Colick is such a general term, but I think the definition of it is inconsolable crying for 3 consecutive hours each day, for 3 days straight, or something like that.

People used to ask if Lyla was colicky too, but I knew she wasn't! I can't believe you ventured out at 4 weeks either! Good for you for trying. As hard as it is to believe it DOES get better! Babies cry, that's their job. You will figure out his needs and how to meet them as the days go by.

LOL I think everyone uses the term colicky rather than colic b/c colic has specific conditions. I think the guidelines are cries for more than 3 hours a day...oh I cant remember it exactly but anyway, colicky is a term people use alot. I have even used it when Luke was small, I still do when I say what I crier he was.

First, dont let other mothers make you feel defensive or worried. You have a month old child and they all have different dispositions. Luke was such a crier, OMG he drove me out of stores many a times, I remember one specific time when I was in the Gap and all I wanted to do was return a few gifts, look around and have a nice hour out with the baby. He frickin cried and screamed so much, I had to just leave and all I remember was looking around and seeing a few other people with their small children and I had the screaming baby. I got in the car and I ended up bawling for 10 minutes, it was very stressful. So you are not alone. And it does pass. But in the meantime, discuss it with your pediatrician. Lukie was formula fed so I dont know all that much about your diet and BF but if you suspect he's gassy, you can try to figure out what foods might be working against you. Also try Mylicon drops or moving his little legs in a bicycle movement to relieve gas.
We tried alot of things with Luke re gas and I dont think it was all that. As he gotten older, I see his personality is the same but of course now he can express himself differently. He was fiesty from the get go and still is - but he turned into a very happy baby, always smiling despite his 'colicky' behavior early on.

As they say, babies dont come with instruction booklets and even if they did, each one is so different. Dont worry sweetie, you will find out what works for you. Be gentle with yourself - a crying baby does not equal a bad Mommy. That's the most important thing to remember. Take the chance to get out for an hour here and there on your own if DH or family/friends can watch Connor for you. It will help. I really really feel for you and hope something I said helps. Dont forget definitely talk to your ped so you can figure out if its his diet or anything else physical but besides that, take it an hour at a time.

And keep posting about it here if that helps you to talk about it more and to know that we are here to help, offer an ear or some advice.

***HUGS***