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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sunnydays on May 16, 2008, at 22:36:23
You mentioned above that you went to a presentation about psychological approach to colic. I had colic as an infant and it's always been an interest of mine, just because it's something that's personally relevant. If you have time, would you mind posting a little bit about what they said?
Thanks!
sunnydays
Posted by DAisym on May 17, 2008, at 15:19:02
In reply to Daisy, posted by sunnydays on May 16, 2008, at 22:36:23
The general idea is to treat colic both with medical AND psychological interventions. Medically we can look at reflux and feedings and other kinds of treatment for infants. But the cycle of sleep deprivation, tense parents, disruptions in attachments and problems in the parents relationships need psychological support. Helping new parents set good limits and supporting them is a big part of the program. And validation - "yes, this is not normal infant behavior. And yes, it is really hard to take." It was nice to be talking about the parents perception and how to help the family, instead of declaring the parents "wrong" and trying to change their mind about whether it is colic or not. Who cares? If a baby is hard to care for - hard for these particular parents, then we need to help them - intervene before child abuse or bad cycles get set up for life. We see so many babies who are ruling the household at a month old. Not a good thing.
We did talk about the myth that persists that colic is genetic. There are no studies that show this. What does happen though, is that the child hears the family lore so often about what a terrible baby they were, that they believe they will get pay-back with their own child. And the self-esteem issues for the child if the parent never gets over the difficult start are huge.
It was a good training. I talk to my therapist this morning about it - and told him that sometimes in therapy I feel like a colicky baby - nothing helps and all I can do is cry. He said he knows this which is why sometimes he feels helpless and wants to avoid painful subjects (a theme this week) that make me cry. But he has his own bag of tricks and sometimes it is just about being held - emotionally for me and literally for a baby.
Are you worried your child will have colic? Does your family still bring it up to you?
Posted by Happyflower on May 18, 2008, at 18:04:47
In reply to Re: Daisy, posted by DAisym on May 17, 2008, at 15:19:02
Dasiy,
I will just jump in here and say this, if it is okay, I hope. The doctors all told me my son had colic but something in my mothering instinct told me it was something else. He would only get like this 20 min. after eating being breastfed.
I started to adapt my diet and I noticed it helped almost right away. I then when to an allergist who helped me eliminate all the trouble foods. It turns out that my son was really allergic to almost all foods, even the special formula for this problem.
This was before the internet, so I did some calling around and got hold of the Mayo Clinic and it turns out they were doing a study on this same thing, breastfed babies allergic to the foods the mother ate. I guess this is getting too long, but I just had to mention that sometimes the doctors are just wrong.
Posted by Daisym on May 18, 2008, at 19:46:43
In reply to Re: Daisy, posted by Happyflower on May 18, 2008, at 18:04:47
I often urge moms to listen to their gut instincts - following what you know is really important when parenting.
Your point about doctors being wrong is well taken. I think the whole approach to crying babies has changed - we don't dismiss it as "colic" and we don't dismiss colic as "just colic." I read that the average adult can tolerate a newborn cry for less than 2 minutes before they get aggitated and upset themselves. Imagine if your baby cried for more than 8 hours a day?!
As a lactation specialist, I usually have moms keep food diaries as well as baby behaviorial diaries. It makes it much easier for us to spot the connections. Food allergies are much better understood and identified now - as is reflux. And we have more treatments.
I'm glad you figured out what was going on with your child. It certainly sounds like you had to be persistent.
Posted by sunnydays on May 18, 2008, at 22:56:07
In reply to Re: Daisy » Happyflower, posted by Daisym on May 18, 2008, at 19:46:43
Thanks Daisy. Yes, they still bring it up to me fairly often. They say they had their kids as far apart as they did because my mom couldn't stand the thought of going through it again. I'm not worried about my kids having colic as I had always heard it was sort of situational... had never heard the genetic thing.
I will try to remember to respond more later... graduated college today, so busy celebrating. :)
sunnydays
Posted by Dinah on May 19, 2008, at 9:19:03
In reply to Re: Daisy, posted by sunnydays on May 18, 2008, at 22:56:07
Congratulations!!
Posted by Daisym on May 19, 2008, at 22:08:14
In reply to Re: Daisy, posted by sunnydays on May 18, 2008, at 22:56:07
I don't remember your major but I hope you have a blast the next few days and let the relief sink in. And then grad school? I know you figured out how to keep your therapist - which is a good thing!
Well done. :)
Posted by sunnydays on May 19, 2008, at 22:38:11
In reply to Congratulations! » sunnydays, posted by Daisym on May 19, 2008, at 22:08:14
well... grad school started today actually... no break! I saw my T today. Unfortunately my parents are reducing funding, so I have to go down to once a week. Even though I know I'll be fine, I sat there and cried the whole session. I just felt incosolable. And still feel.
sunnydays
This is the end of the thread.
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