| Parents of colicky babies can often feel isolated, | | | | has an episode of colic while you are there at the clinic |
| stressed, and helpless. Support groups for parents, | | | | or during the support session, the pediatrician may do a |
| while helpful, don't address the unique problems that | | | | thorough evaluation of the symptoms as they present |
| parents of colicky infants face. However, not all | | | | themselves in real time. |
| support groups for parents of colicky babies are equal. | | | | 3. Group Support Sessions. |
| If you are trying to decide on a support group or colic | | | | Some colic support groups and colic clinics will organize |
| clinic, here are some things to look for when making | | | | special events designed to bring parents of colicky |
| that decision: | | | | infants together for discussion. This will allow you to |
| 1. Counseling and Feedback. | | | | share your experiences with someone who truly |
| Different colic clinics and support groups will handle this | | | | understands how colic can affect the entire family. It |
| in different ways. You will most likely be asked to keep | | | | also gives you the opportunity to learn from one |
| a "colic diary" of your baby's crying patterns and any | | | | another, and potentially find new solutions to that will |
| actions you've taken to soothe your baby during the | | | | help to end your baby's colic. |
| week. | | | | Another great resource to help you understand and |
| A specialist will analyze the crying patterns and help | | | | communicate better with your baby is Brazelton's |
| you to plan out a course of action for the next week. | | | | Institute. |
| Some colic clinics also offer counseling for parents and | | | | (brazelton-institute.com) |
| couples who need help dealing with the stress of colic. | | | | If you are looking for a colic support group, one of the |
| Others also offer counseling for family members who | | | | best places to start would be with a local parents |
| may be acting as a secondary caregiver to your baby | | | | group, La Leche League, or other association designed |
| - thus giving comprehensive attention to the problem of | | | | for parents of infants and toddlers. |
| colic. | | | | If you don't find a colic clinic or support group in your |
| 2. Medical Evaluations and Suggestions. | | | | area, you may wish to consider starting one yourself. |
| A pediatrician with extensive experience in colic may | | | | Parents of colicky babies should never have to go it |
| also look at the colic diary and suggest possible | | | | alone - with support, intervention, and planning, colic can |
| causes for your baby's crying. Additionally, if your baby | | | | be overcome. |