GOD BLESS COLICKY BABIES.

Recently I started going to a chiropractor in the city and was curious about all the babies in his office. 

Naturally nosy I started talking to the Mom’s and Dad’s in the office and learned that the majority of the babies were being treated for colic. WOW! Where was I fours years ago when I really needed help with our now 4 year old Noah? I remember… I was pulling my hair out, half dead from exhaustion walking the floor every night from 3pm – 10pm. I can still remember tears of frustration and such feelings of inadequacy because I couldn’t stop Noah from screaming non stop every evening. I tried slings, swings and gripe water. I tried lavender baths, bouncy balls (don’t ask), tummy massages and read until my brain was exhausted. Each time I searched for a magic cure the answer was always the same. There is no cure for colic. In fact no one really knows why it happens in the first place. 

During the past FOUR years of operating Happy Nappy, I have had the pleasure of speaking with new mom’s caring for their new babies. I love this part of my day! More often than not, conversations would pave the way for the dreaded “my baby has colic” I never knew quite what to say except for… oh poor you!! My condolences!! This too shall pass… I remember my sister, sans infant, suggested that I put on headphones and blast the stereo so that I couldn’t hear Noah crying! Imagine that, not being present for my screaming infant.  I should have listened to her advice.  Martyr is my second name!! 

I am someone who wants to be helpful, and offer great suggestions. It makes me feel like I am contributing to a greater cause. However bring to my attention the mention of a colicky baby, and I can be seen running for the hills!  So back to present day, here I am sitting in my chiro’s office and I can feel the glimmer of hope surging through my body. What’s that you say? Your baby used to be just like my Noah, and now after 3-4 treatments he is content and happy. How can that be? Can this be the cure? Of course my skeptical mind needed more proof. I decided to under go my own investigation.   What better proof is there but from the mouths of parents?  I learned that before coming to see the Chiropractor there babies would scream and scream for no apparent reason. It sounded exactly like my experience with Noah.  I think what brought me the most pain, was seeing Noah scream for hours in obvious discomfort and reaching my breaking point, could no longer comfort him. I would need to hand him over to Brent, or whomever was near… and take a much needed time out. I used to feel so guilty for this!! This is a topic that I feel very deeply about, and if there is a valid solution to improve the quality of your child’s life and your sanity as parents why not investigate. I mean what is there to lose? 

I gave birth to my first child 12 years ago in Vancouver. I was a practicing nurse at the time, working with at the children’s hospital in the Neonatal ICU and the emergency department. I saw many frantic parents coming to emergency with their very red faced, screaming infants! Some of the stories I could tell, would have you rolling on the floor laughing. Needless to say 99% of the babies were discharged with “colic” as the diagnosis. When I became pregnant with Analiese, I sought alternative therapy for a more “natural” birthing experience. After all I wanted to be the best Mom ever!! I had been seeing a chiropractor for quite a while and really seemed to benefit from my treatments so I decided to have Analiese treated as well. Guess what?? Analiese was not a colicky baby.  I didn’t make the connection between chiro treatments and colic until I started to speak with the parents in Dr. Jason’s office.  Maybe there is some miracle “cure” after all.

I am a believer in natural healing and to me that is what Chiropractors bring to the table. It’s unfortunate that this treatment is available and yet the majority of parents will use this as the last resort, after trying everything else.

If you like what you’ve read, and would like more information please give me a call and I will gladly refer you to Dr. J’s office in Edmonton.

You deserve a break today!

Kate Pederson