Consolable

I am probably tempting fate and calling down the wrath of the Furies upon myself- but things are, I dare say, going a little bit better.  I don't know for sure if I can attribute the strategic campaign for improvement in the Colic Wars to the probiotic drops; however, after a week or so, Botany does seem to be experiencing a lot less digestive discomfort.  Accordingly, over the last few days, we have been having only garden variety mad baby grizzling, rather than the extendo-nightmare colic scenario.  The difference being consolable wailing, rather than inconsolable- and let me tell you, it is such a difference indeed.

Apart from the drops, the other thing that seems to be helping a lot (at least when she is a consolable frame of mind) is white noise. The hoover not being an option, I tried turning the radio onto "static" and placing it by the cot/pack n'play/bouncy chair.  And it seems to calm her down- not send her to sleep as such, but it quells some of the crying.  I've ordered a white noise CD with such grooving tracks as hair dryer, washing machine and vacuum cleaner, and we will see how it goes.  Unfortunately, she absolutely loathes full swaddling, so I've pretty much given up on that one.

I should probably compile all your comments over the last several posts into some sort of primer for colic-reflux- first time mother newborn shock.  Because they are invaluable.  I think what I mostly needed to hear at this point is that all the emotions I was feeling are totally normal.  How the old expression "Your life will change" is bandied about so much prior to birth- but does not remotely begin to cover the total sense of upheaval and disorientation, even loss.  One commenter very aptly described it as "otherworldly''- and it is. It really is. It's taken nearly a month to even begin to recalibrate, and there are still some ropey moments- not helped of course by things like colic bouts

In terms of getting another doctor- the way it works here is that I attend a NHS (that's National Health Service for those of you who don't speak UK acronym) health practice staffed by about 8 different GPs. So when I phone to get an appointment, it just depends who is available- luck of the draw, as it were.  I could request someone but that would mean having to wait longer for a slot; perhaps not what I want to do if my baby needs immediate care.  But I found out today that Dr Bitchslap is leaving, so chances are I won't have to encounter her again. Whoo hoo.

Also the health visitor came today and weighed Botany.  [Aside: a health visitor is a qualified nurse who specialises in "community care".  Basically a nurse who comes round to my house at regular intervals over the coming months to check on the baby's general well-being (and mine, too, I suppose).]   Botany pooed all over me just before I put her on the scales- a lovely dribble of mustard all down my front- but even with the lightening of the load, she weighed in at 9.5lbs.  9.5lbs!!! That's up from 7lbs 12 oz two weeks ago.  Good grief, this child has evidently been eating for Britain. Delicious fat tummy.   

I will get round to writing the birth story one of these naps, I will, I will.  They have been running a jackhammer outside for the last week, so napping myself is sort of off the cards for the moment.

Comments

[Boulder]

I hope you aren't tempting fate, and that you are happily hitting a stride with Botany, and that you'll have more of the better days ahead!

Non-stop ANYTHING is rough - and crying of a much desired & greatly loved child has to be off the charts.

Hang in there!

[Veronica]

Amazing is all I can say. I shall keep my fingers (and toes and arms etc.) crossed for you that it is getting better.

Great weight gain. I'll bet that you feel better about the incessent feeding with the great gain. Yay for boobys.

I'm glad that Dr. Bitchface is leaving. She is the last person you need to see if you are worried about anything.

You are doing a wonderful job. *hugs*

[deborah]

White noise was our salavation, also. One tip for you -- skip the various CDs, and just spring for a small white noise machine. We found that even when we played the CDs on "continuous loop," there would be a couple seconds of downtime between loops that would wake the kiddo EVERY FUCKING TIME. With the machine, it's a nice, constant hum.

[Anita]

Hooray!!!

Somehow my last assvice about using a hairdryer didn't show up on the last blog. (Also helps with diaper rash!)

And on my run this morning, I thought "I need to tell B. Mare about our air filter/white noise Delonghi thingy." DS hasn't slept a night without it.

The noise thing was a godsend to us. I'm so sorry Little Guy would go balistic over the hoover. However, it sounds like you've found a solution!

HOOOOOOOOOORAY!

[Anita]

This is what we use:

http://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-DAP130-Freshzone-Purifier-CADR/dp/B00006WNMX

However, don't use the Ionizer; That is apparently bad for air quality. (I don't know if they have one without it)

[Becky]

I remember colic so well, and my colicky one is now 6. Wow, what a nightmare it was. I still can't believe so many colicky babies make it to their first birthday! The one thing that I wish I'd known when he was a baby was that it was completely normal to feel rejected and at sometimes to dislike the baby, which goes completely against any preconcieved notions that you may have had walking into motherhood.

It's hard to accept, but it's true (at least for me).

[Anne]

Glad to hear things are going a little better. And take heart that they will continue to do so. The only problem is that it is sometimes a "two steps forward, one step back" type of progress...

Give Botany a kiss from the internet!

[May]

Hooray! I'm so glad she's settling in.

Isn't the difference between normal infant crying and the inconsolable colicky kind amazing?

[Accidental Poet]

Hey my nephew loved to be swaddled ONLY if his arms were free - doesn't actually look like swaddling then, but he did love it.

[Lynnette]

Good job, Mare! I'm several months past the colic, and it is so much fun, now. Every day is something new (usually good...)

[Alex]

Oh, I am so relieved to read this. I hope the trend will continue, for all of your sakes.

As for the "Your life will change," thing, I still wonder whether it would not have helped me had someone explained to me just what was really involved (timewise) in breastfeeding a newborn. Maybe it really wouldn't have, but I still wish someone had tried (or maybe they did and one just doesn't get it until one's done it).

[Tonya]

What a huge relief to find some ways to help relieve her distress. It makes a big difference when you actually *can* comfort the wee babe.

Hoping they finish up whatever they are doing with that damned jackhammer, so you can get some well-deserved rest (and write your birth story, of course). Glad to hear things are going a bit better.

[Jana]

I am so happy for you; despite what seems insurmountable changes. I hate to admit, I'm jealous of your real-life fear. I promise though; I know you're not purposely hiding the birth story, but I must say as an avid reader, I am dying. I wish I was in your shoes and this is not to make you feel bad. Babies are scary; albeit wonderful. I can't keep pretending with rescue puppies/dogs...although at this point, I think they are the best and wonderful...it's all I have and I'll take it.
May Botanty (I wish I knew her real name/middle name - should you have been inclinded to give her one) was known. Even a pic.
Stay strong...never easy but so worth it and I know you know it.
I wish I could be as eloquent as you, Mare.
All my best.

[Lut C.]

I'm glad to hear things are improving!

[llp]

You have to do whatever it takes to calm the baby so that you and she get some rest. My son slept in a baby swing in the bathroom with the fan on for two months. The bathroom fan would inevitably calm him, and he just liked the swing. He still sleeps with a fan in his room. He switched to his crib fairly easily at around 3 months old (with the fan on and swaddling), started sleeping through the night at 8 months. He was not colicky, but didn't want to be held, hard to soothe, always jerking himself awake by scratching himself. It will get better, but you are doing a great job now!