DaddiLife
  • Home
  • Family
    • Modern Fatherhood
    • Trying
    • Expecting
    • New Dad
    • Stay At Home Dad
    • Separation
    • Single Dads
    • Step Dads
  • Things To Do
    • Kids at Home
    • Newborn
    • Toddler
    • 5 – 10
    • 10+
  • Health
    • Dad Jokes
    • Fitness
    • Family Meal Recipes
    • Safety
    • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
    • Work / Life Balance
    • Money
    • Education
    • Sports
    • Gear
  • Book Squad
  • Reviews
    • Gift Ideas
    • Family Fun
    • Toys
  • Dads at Work
    • Guides for Dads at Work
    • Case Studies
    • Q&A
    • Mentoring Programme
  • Join
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Write With Us
  • Home
  • Family
    • Modern Fatherhood
    • Trying
    • Expecting
    • New Dad
    • Stay At Home Dad
    • Separation
    • Single Dads
    • Step Dads
  • Things To Do
    • Kids at Home
    • Newborn
    • Toddler
    • 5 – 10
    • 10+
  • Health
    • Dad Jokes
    • Fitness
    • Family Meal Recipes
    • Safety
    • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
    • Work / Life Balance
    • Money
    • Education
    • Sports
    • Gear
  • Book Squad
  • Reviews
    • Gift Ideas
    • Family Fun
    • Toys
  • Dads at Work
    • Guides for Dads at Work
    • Case Studies
    • Q&A
    • Mentoring Programme
  • Join

DaddiLife

The parenting website for dads

New Dad

Colic Relief – tips for dad

written by Hugh Wilson 8th October 2017
colic relief tips, colic relief tips for dads

According to a new study from Penn State University in the US, mums with more support during pregnancy, and in the weeks and months after birth, are less likely to report colic in their babies.

The NHS describes colic as, “excessive, frequent crying in a baby who appears to be otherwise healthy.” It says that up to one in five babies are affected.

For anyone who has been at the sharp end of a colic-ey baby, that description doesn’t really do it justice. Babies with colic can cry for hours, fuss incessantly, and drive their parents semi-insane with worry, frustration, and exhaustion. Colic can undermine parental health (mental and physical) and jeopardise relationships. Extreme cases can be hellish.

Which is why any research that helps understand the condition is to be welcomed. The Penn study’s basic conclusion is that dads play a key role in lowering the risk of colic in their new born children. Dads who provide better ‘maternal social support’ can help keep this upsetting and little understood condition at bay.

Colic – bad luck or bad dad?

娘のギャン泣きに育休中のパパもぐったり #patanity #cryingbaby

A post shared by Yukiko Hagiwara (@yukiko_hagiwara) on Oct 8, 2017 at 2:18am PDT

That’s not quite how the conclusion has been interpreted everywhere, however. Some outlets think the study might be used as a stick to beat men with. The idea seems to be based on an interpretation that goes something like:

a) dads can help reduce the incidence of colic,

b) but there’s lots of colic around,

c) ergo, dads aren’t doing enough.

That’s not really what the study is saying, though. To us, it simply seems to be reinforcing a theme we come back to again and again on DaddiLife; that an involved, supportive dad is good for everyone.

It’s good for the baby’s development, it’s good for the family, and now it appears to be good for reducing colic too.

So what does ‘maternal social support’ actually mean, and what can dads do to make sure they’re supplying it. Marie Howes of Cry-sis, the only UK charity offering help and support to parents with babies who cry excessively, says that keeping lines of communication open is vital.

“Due to circumstances it’s often only mum that has to respond all day to the needs of the baby,” says Marie. “If you are feeling bad about how you’re coping, your partner is probably feeling worse at her inability to help her baby.

“Keep talking to each other about how things are going. If you are struggling too, don’t be afraid to admit it, none of us are perfect and you can support each other.”

Tips for dads – how you can offer better colic relief

There are ways to help cope with a colic-ey baby. Here are Marie’s top tips for dads.

  • When you come home try and keep your cool, even if you are stressed after a day at work. Mum will have had a bad day too.
  • Practical help is always useful. Be prepared to cook a meal at the end of the day and clear away after, maybe cook extra so that mum can just heat it up when she has a moment the next day or leave a packed lunch ready in the fridge. Put a wash load on, tidy up, ask if there’s anything you can help with.
  • If you have an older child take over the bedtime routine or look after the baby while mum spends some time with your other child if she prefers.
  • Take the baby for a short walk in the buggy or ride in the car to give mum a break. Time for a shower, bath or just to read a magazine or take a nap goes a long way to easing stress.
  • If you’re at work, a text or email just to say ‘Hi’, and an occasional bunch of flowers or other kind gesture to show that you love her and understand how hard life is at the moment could make a real difference to her day!
  • Cry-sis is here to speak to any mum or dad that is finding it difficult to cope. We offer tips and advice but most importantly a listening ear from someone who understands how you feel.

The Cry-sis helpline is open from 9am to 10pm every day on 08451 228 669.

Colic Relief – tips for dad was last modified: August 25th, 2021 by Hugh Wilson

Related

coliccolic reliefdaddilifekeeping healthykid's health
1 comment
0
Facebook Twitter Google + Pinterest
Hugh Wilson

shared parental leave pay, shared parental leave policy, SPL, couples conversations
previous post
Conversations needed beyond Shared Parental Leave Pay
sahd, sahd life, sahd days, fresh and interesting
next post
SAHD – Keep the day fresh & interesting

You may also like

Helping dads bond with their newborn babies

31st May 2018

New Pathways for Young Fathers

20th November 2020

A pregnancy book that reflects the true...

21st September 2021

Reflections on fatherhood – 10 things I’d...

11th October 2017

Dad and baby bond increases the whole...

10th September 2017

How to Choose Your Daughter’s Name

2nd February 2021

5 ‘modes’ I learnt as a new...

5th July 2016

Parent is born – a letter to...

8th March 2018

Is “dad brain” for real?

10th July 2019

Have we reached the next stage of...

8th July 2019

1 comment

Reflections on fatherhood - 10 things I’d tell my new dad self - DaddiLife 11th October 2017 at 3:58 pm

[…] spend a lot of time at the doctors and on the phone to NHS Direct in that first nervy year. That’s inevitable, and it’s true for every parent you […]

Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Audiobooks for Dads

Get the latest dad news




Popular Things to Do

  • A Parent’s Guide To Tuff Trays

  • DaddiLifeForce – The Power of Lego

  • DaddiLifeForce – New Years 2017

  • DaddiLifeForce – Chinese New Year

  • Tuff Tray Ideas: Some great ideas for creative tuff trays

Writers Community

Write for DaddiLife


  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Youtube

© 2017 - DaddiLife. All Right Reserved. DaddiLife is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.


Back To Top