[Dutch Boy]

My youngest had a similar problem. When she was very young my ex-wife took off and left me with 2 young girls. The youngest was had colic. I was forced to use formula. I'm not sure why but I used the dry mix type. Anyway, I bought a water purifier and the problem went a way in a few days. Not sure why. I assume she was sensitive to something in the water rather than the formula mix.

[lysie]

Formula or mommy's?

[Molly Pitcher]

Poor things...You can certainly spell her in the evening.

It's been too long since my oldest had colic. Do the drs. have anything to help with this nowadays??

Keep the household things simple and easy as long as this goes on...

It could also be something in the vitamins disagrees with the baby. Remember that now. Switched vitamins - liquid - and he improved.

[lysie]

If formula...may have allergy to it. Mine son had to be put on soy. Are there any rashes on face?

[WWTraveler]

An old country doctor told me to melt a peppermint life saver in 4 oz. of water and let it cool. Then feed to baby. I have raised three kids and grandchildren on this and have never had a problem with colic. It really works.

[lysie]

My first pediatrician was not helpful. He insisted that there were TOO many mothers....I went to another doctor who immediately noticed MY condition....tired..as well.. He diagnosed my son in less than 2 minutes. Son had a rash on his forehead. The doctor said that my son would sleep better the next day. That night my son sleep 3 hours straight. Something he did not do for 3 months.

[Miss Marple]

Call the doctor and have him check the baby. Is mom nursing? If so, she may be eating something or taking medication which is upsetting the baby.

If the baby is on formula, the formula will need to be switched. This happened to my sister's baby. They switched her to a soy, non-iron based formula.

Also, get your wife some help. Even if it is a teenager who can walk the baby for two hours while your wife rests. Do you have family or friends who could help?

[Amelia]

Formula with iron gave my son colic. Other things that I never pinned down did as well...sometimes taking him outside and swinging him in the hammock, or a ride in the car seemed to help. Sometimes, laying him on his stomach across your knees/thighs and bouncing gently seemed to help.

Sometimes nothing seemed to help... :-(

[Iowa Granny]

My youngest grandson had the worst case of colic I'd ever seen or heard of...

There is a product the young women refer to as "Gas Drops". They come with an eye dropper type thing and a couple of drops in the formula give some relief.

Dry formula mixed with water has fewer preservatives than the liquid kind. Someone has already mentioned many children have a problem with Iron added to formula.

Sometimes laying the child in your lap, on it's back, and gently holding the knees and slowly pressing the knees back towards the stomach helps to relieve gas on the stomach.

The suggestion to get a couple hours of help is a good one. Mom is going to be so strung out without rest and with worry, the rest will help her to hold on.

Tomorrow when you go to coffee break, tells your coworkers about this. Everyone has a story about a colicy baby, and perhaps one of us will be offer to a little bit of help.

[Corin Stormhands]

Our youngest son came 10 weeks early and we dealt with reflux for the first year and a half (sorry, that prolly isn't too encouraging).

You need to check with the pediatrician, but we ended up mixing cereal with formula (he was too weak to nurse) and we had to feed him at shorter intervals (every two hours). We also held him upright for a good while after feeding. Seemd to help to be in that position.

Dr. also gave us meds for the reflux. He's mostly out of it now although every so often we'll see some signs.

Prayers and best wishes.

[mlmr]

I used catnip and fennel drops which were available at the local health store. Then a on the tummy foot ball hold and walking quickly through the house, It will end in three to six weeks.

[gracie1]

The melted peppermint in water is an excellent idea. I did that with my oldest and it helped. But what worked best was homeopathic colic pills by Hysell's. That was 20 years ago, I don't know who makes them now, try the drugstore or a health food store. Another idea is simethicon drops you can get at the drugstore. follow th directions, and be sure to follow up with your doctor to make sure there isn't something more serious.

[bellevuesbest]

We had that experience with our 1st boy. Here's what my wife did in no particular order. All of these seemed to work by themselves or in some sort of combination. Long time ago - but here goes:

- Breast feeding is the way to go but don't let the babe engorge with a long feeding. Stop after a couple of minutes and burb him or her, then contiune for 2 minutes, then burb, etc.

- When the babe is in pain and making that clear, hold with the babe's back up against your chest, your right hand around the stomach, your left hand holding the legs up as high as comfortable and walk and rock around.

- A car ride is normally good when they're otherwise calm.

He's in the Army now; I'd just as soon be losing sleep and fretting like you. Precious, precious!

[ETERNAL WARMING]

First...see a good pediatrician. Take his advice. But from long experience, the thing about babies is patience. I know it's difficult, but "this too shall pass." Try to give your wife a couple of hours to herself...she'll be able to cope better, and so will you. But first, you need to be sure it isn't a food allergy.

Our son was up every two hours all nite long and rarely slept during the day. Our Ped told us that he was very intelligent and that things would eventually improve. He was right...Tim has a 165 IQ. He just about did us in tho. LOL

[Jeff Chandler]

Ours didn't have much colic, and I don't know any remedies, but a good therapy is to have daddy put the kid in the carseat and drive around aimlessly. It seems to soothe some of them.

[IYAS9YAS]

Thank you all for your help! It is much appreciated. Will let you know what worked/didn't work for us and maybe we can help more in the future! This place is great and the people are wonderful!

[CobaltBlue]

My older son was like that. I carried him in my arms everywhere for months, because he found it soothing to have his tummy against my chest - usually skin to skin worked best. Rocking back and forth, singing.

There are also drops you can get that have simethicone that is soothing.

Other things to try: Changing formula. If he is drinking mother's milk, try cutting things like onions out of her diet. Hot water bottle (be careful! babies have very thin skin and can easily burn - use wrist or elbow to check the temperature). Car rides would put mine to sleep right away, so I used to drive around a lot, aimlessly.

Just remember, this too shall pass. It really will.

[EuroFrog]

I can tell you something that helps with the acid reflux. I have it, have for many many years. It wont cure, but will help. When you put baby down to sleep, but him/her on the left side, leaning a bit towards the back. That puts the top of the stomach at its upmost (except standing of course).

Carrying the baby in the football position someone else mentioned helped my daughter alot, so did the Simethecone drops - store brand are just as good. Also, if baby will tolerate it, stick him in the swing. My daugther spent alot of time in hers sleeping.

Babies are also soothed by 'white noise'. If you can tolerate it, turn the TV to a static channel and turn it up a bit.

The baby will pick up on either you or Mom being 'stressed' so if possible, take turns taking 5 or 10 minutes to calm down yourselves while the other is taking care of the little one.

I took long baths with my baby too, lay him on your belly with his head on your chest in a warm tub, lights low, maybe soft soothing music playing - will be good for both of you if it works.

Dont know if you are Christian but a prayer wont hurt any either.