With the exception of our ongoing sleep deprivation (the less said about which the better) those early months where Erin and Neve suffered with colic were by far the most challenging months I have experienced on my parenting journey to date. Those evenings felt relentless and were bloody tough on all of us – parents and babies included! Both girls had been beautifully content and calm during the day (show babies if you will), but as soon as early evening arrived it was like someone had flicked on a switch. Every single evening between the hours of 7pm and midnight, they would become a screaming, red faced mess, refusing to settle and looking at us with desperate eyes as if willing us to take away whatever pain it was that was bothering them. We couldn’t even think about sitting down without the tears starting again almost immediately, and therefore spent the majority of our evenings rocking, pacing and comforting our babies whilst trying to get through an evening full of ear shattering cries and discomfort. 

It was a really tough time, and until I had my first child, I honestly had no idea what colic even was, let alone how to deal with it. I later learned that it was an incredibly common ailment for newborns whilst their digestive system grows and develops.

It turns out many new parents aren’t aware of Colic either – a recent survey conducted by Infacol, Britain’s Number One Infant Colic remedy, found that 1 in 3 British Mums admitted they were unaware of Infant Colic; despite it affecting 1 in 5 newborns.

In case you are one of those Mums, the signs and symptoms of Colic include:

  • Intense bouts of crying 
  • Crying in the late afternoon or evening that continues for several hours
  • A red and flushed face when they cry
  • Clenching their fists, drawing up their knees or arching their back whilst they cry

Infacol, which can be used from birth onwards is a easy to administer colic remedy which comes with a handy dropper, making it easy to give your baby and help ease the symptoms of colic, wind and griping pain.

Infacol’s survey also learned more about the range of ways in which parents try to calm their colic troubled baby. Their findings revealed that a huge 95% of parents have sung or hummed to calm their baby, 88% have tried taking their infant for a drive in the car and 67% have switched on the TV or radio. Interestingly, current affairs, documentaries and dramas are the most popular programmes used to help babies drift off (although in our case Erin seemed to settle when watching the Simpsons – needs must!)

From personal experience, we also found that keeping them upright for as long as possible after a feed helped prevent the build up of trapped wind, and popping a wedge pillow under the cot mattress and preparing a warm bath before bed really did help make those evenings a little more manageable.

To help raise awareness of Colic, I’ve teamed up with Infacol on this post and have this GORGEOUS White Company Sleeping Bag (0-6 months) to give away worth £32. Not only is it stunning and perfect for those colder Winter nights, but combined with regular use of Infacol, it will help get you one step closer to giving you and your litte one the good nights sleep you all deserve!

To enter please use the Gleam app below. Our standard giveaway terms and conditions apply. UK entrants only. Closes 25th November 2018. GOOD LUCK!

Infacol – White Company Sleeping Bag (0-6m)

*This is collaborative post*