Colic Relief

Colic is regarded as a common condition in infants younger than 3 months old.  Research shows that a baby's needs during the first three months of life are the main cause of colic.  Many first time moms don't recognize colic symptoms so they panic when they hear their babies cry for hours.  So what is colic?  Colic is defined as:

• Crying that lasts more than three hours a day and occurs more than three days a week or

• Crying that lasts more than three hours a day and continues for more than three weeks regardless of how many times a week it occurs.

If the baby suffers from colic, parents can help calm the baby through the five S's:  swaddling, side/stomach positioning, shushing, swinging, and sucking.  Here is how the five S's work:

• Swaddling - Wrap the baby snugly in a receiving blanket.  This will provide continuous contact and support which the baby experienced while inside the womb.

• Side/Stomach Position - Place the baby, while holding her, either on her left side to assist in digestion or on her stomach to provide reassuring support.  Once she is sound asleep, you can put her down in the crib on her back.

• Shushing Sounds - These sounds are referred to as "white noise" which imitate the continual whooshing sound made by the blood flowing through the arteries near the womb.  This noise could be from a vacuum cleaner, hair dryer, or electric fan.  Or you may opt to buy a white noise CD.

• Swinging - Babies are used to the swinging motions while inside the womb.  When the baby is born, this soothing motion is abruptly taken away.  Rocking, swaying, car rides, or other swinging movements can help calm the crying baby.

• Sucking - Sucking triggers a calming reflex and releases natural chemicals within the brain.  Offering your breast, a bottle, a pacifier or even your finger should do the trick to pacify a crying newborn.

Because these activities mimic babies' experiences inside the womb, doing these can help most babies sleep an extra one to two hours at night.  These techniques may seem easy to do but parents must incorporate lots of patience as they try different calming techniques and avoid making the crying worse by impatiently switching from one calming intervention to another without waiting to see how the baby responds.

Wish List

I can't believe we're half way done through January.  Since 2009, I make it a point to make a list of the things I want to have or achieve at the start of every year.  I usually have about 5 or 6 things in my list and most of the time I only get 3 or 4 of them.  Hmm...not bad.  So for my first post this 2012, I am sharing with you the things I wish to have:

1.  I wish to see continued improvement and development in my child's physical, emotional, academic, behavioral, and mental function.

2.  A house.  My husband and I are hopeful that we could finally purchase our own house this year (God willing).  It is not easy living in an apartment when your neighbors are mostly retirees.  There are times when my children make a lot of noise when they are playing and instead of letting them have fun, here I come telling them to stop because they are starting to be disruptive.  BOO....  Of course it isn't fair.  I want my children to enjoy their youth and I think living in our own house means my children will feel more safe and comfortable.

3.  Start my internship.  I've been a stay-at-home mom for almost seven years and I really miss being part of the work force.  And so I wish that this year God will allow me to go back to work for my sanity's sake and to be able to help my husband provide a better future for our children.

4.  A big kitchen.  Lately, I have been addicted to baking.  Our kitchen has a very small work space so I would like to have a BIG kitchen with lots of work space so I could start baking birthday cakes for the entire family.

5.  Air brush make up apparatus.  I've only tried air brush make up twice....during our pre-nup shoot and on our wedding day and I must say that I really liked the almost perfect finish look I got.  It isn't sticky.  It does not cake. And to top it all, it can last for more than twelve hours without touch ups.  How great is that?

6.  Lose weight.  I know I'm not obese nor over weight but I still do want to shed the extra pounds I gained during my last pregnancy.  I'm just trying to lose the last 10 lbs post pregnancy weight but the stubborn weight doesn't want to go away.  I hope I'll be lucky to do it this time.

I think those are all the things I want to have in my life for now.  Do you also have a wish?