*Sponsored Post in Collaboration with Infacol*
Whether you've just had a baby and become a parent for the first time or you've a newborn, toddlers and teens in tow, parenting can be challenging. All of the smiles, cuddles and giggles are incredibly rewarding but there are, and will be, days when you struggle to comfort a poorly or upset baby and you stress, panic and get emotional - all of which are totally normal reactions! That's why it's so important to speak up, share how you feel and support other mums and dads on their journey into motherhood and fatherhood. It only takes a moment to reach out to someone and ask if they're okay and it can have such a huge, positive impact on their lives.
As it's Colic Awareness Month, Infacol may be able to make life a little easier for you and your family. September is a time for parents, carers and healthcare professionals to swap stories of soothing crying babies and to offer support, solidarity and information to anyone that might be going through a rough first 6 months with their newborn. We've also got a giveaway below where you can win a 'bubbly bundle' for your little one when you simply share a time when you've needed some extra help as a parent, to reinforce the fact there's nothing to be ashamed of if you need a helping hand or extra guidance, or offer some advice. I've even shared a personal letter to my partner, as we approach a time where we are thinking about trying to conceive to show I too can be worried - and this will be my third baby!
What is Colic?
According to NHS Choices, colic is the name for excessive, frequent crying in a baby who otherwise appears to be healthy. It affects 1 in 5 babies and tends to begin when a baby is a few weeks old. Normally, it stops at 4 months of age but can go on until a baby is 6 months old. Other signs that a baby might be suffering from colic include when that baby clenches their fists, draws up their legs and goes red in the face. One of the theories is that it is caused by trapped wind which is very uncomfortable for babies and their sensitive gust. Using an over the counter product to treat your baby’s colic can help to relieve symptoms that might be causing them discomfort. Infant colic is tricky to diagnose and there is still no agreement as to what exactly causes it.
What is Infacol?
Infacol is Britain’s number one colic remedy and has been used by generations of parents to soothe trapped wind, colic and griping pain. It can be used form birth onwards, it’s sugar, alcohol and colourant-free and has an orange flavour. The active ingredient in Infacol is an anti-foaming agent called simeticone, which helps to break down these gas bubbles. In a recent real-world study 93.2% of respondents felt that using simeticone had either improved or completely resolved their baby’s colic.
A letter to my partner
'Although I've been through full term pregnancy twice, and raised two teenagers pretty much single handedly, the thought of doing it all over again in the near future is both exciting and a little daunting. I'm older and have concerns about how long it will take to conceive, and even if I will be able to at all at times, but I know I've got your love and support, as you have mine. As a team we will get through anything together - we've got eachother's backs.
You are not only my partner but my best friend. The children's father was never really there for the feeds, nappy changes or even the nights when I was up for hours dealing with colic myself, but I have no doubt that you will be there for both the good and hard times. You've already stepped up as a step dad and the fact you have said you're looking forward to setting out in the early hours to bring back strange foods to satisfy my cravings means so much! I know I can rely on you.
I'm honestly so grateful to have you in my life. Your constant reasurance, care and kindness will never go unappreciated and I can only hope that I will be as good a wife and mother to your child as I know you will be a husband and father.
Fingers crossed it won't be long until that tiny blue cross appears on a stick and we can announce to the world that you're going to be a daddy. I can't wait to see your reaction to the news either.'
For your chance to WIN an Izzie the Elephant cuddly toy, an embroidered sleep suit, a muslin cloth and some Infacol, you can enter via the Gleam entry form below.
Leaving a comment is mandatory but there are additional entry methods available for bonus entries.
The giveaway ends at 11.59pm GMT on 30th September 2019 (the end of Colic Awareness Month).
Good luck!
To find out more on Infacol and Colic Awareness Month visit Infacol.co.uk
I found I got really stressed because I couldn't get my little one to settle, my advice would be..... stay calm, you're doing a good job and are not a failure as a mother!
ReplyDeleteyou know your baby best so trust your instincts
ReplyDeleteAlways sleep when the baby sleeps and take up ALL offers of any babysitting.
ReplyDeleteJust to stay calm and to know that no one knows what they're doing at the beginning but you will be fine
ReplyDeleteI have struggled so many times especially when my little girl was a baby, I went for advice from my Midwife/Doctor and was prescribed anti depressants which really helped, Please don't ever suffer. It is completely normal to be not ok.
ReplyDeleteEvery mum is different we are not perfect.
enjoy it as the time goes by very fast
ReplyDeleteYou should know that no parent is perfect. Just be a good role model.
ReplyDeleteEvery school holiday I'm off with them - I get very irritable and shouty often!
ReplyDeleteSleep when your baby sleeps, and if you can have a night just relaxing family members or friends are nearly always willing to babysit, take advantage of this, to give yourself ssome me time
ReplyDeleteI've really struggled with the loss of my identity. I enjoyed my job and it gave me a lot of confidence, going from that to what can, if I'm being honest, be the mundane repetition of endless wiping, cleaning and generally questioning my ability to stop my small mad human from killing themselves on a daily basis has been a bit of a shock. I also wasn't expecting it to be so difficult financially to return to work!
ReplyDeleteI think being I think the best advice I can offer a new mum is to take help when it's offered and not be afraid to ask for help. Other mums know exactly what you're going through and there's a bond we all share once you've been through childbirth and after care. No one will think any the worse of you. So many visitors come to see the baby and say "anything I can do to help..." . Well take them up on it. Ask them to make the tea. Ask them to peg out the washing. Ask them to hold the baby while you have shower alone!
ReplyDeleteYou are not a failure. Every single Parent has that moment where baby is crying and there is nothing they can do to stop it, maybe someone else stops it easily just by taking baby. It's not your fault and you haven't failed, let them help and take some breaths
ReplyDeleteA nice set for a friends child .
ReplyDeleteMy advice would be, if someone offers help then take it!
ReplyDeleteTrust your instincts- always
ReplyDeleteIf you feel that something is wrong get help do not panic
ReplyDeleteSheer exhaustion working full time, commuting and looking after a child. Accept help when it is offered!
ReplyDeleteI breast fed, and didn't seem to have much issue with colic.
ReplyDeleteGo with your gut instinct regarding your baby as it is better to be safe than sorry
ReplyDeleteAccept help with housework etc.because you just don't have time or energy once a new baby arrives.
ReplyDeleteAwesome prize
ReplyDeleteRemember parenting doesnt come with a manual. Take each day as it comes and enjoy every moment. Ask for advive and listen to suggestions but do what you think is best. Don't be afraid to ask for help and try and sleep when baby sleeps.
ReplyDeleteWith my first child, hit me like a tonne of bricks that suddenly there was a little person relying on me for everything, he's now 14 and im due baby number 8 in 2 weeks and there are still days it's very overwhelming knowing you will be responsible for another little person, but accept help, ask for help if you feel you need it but above everything else - enjoy every second, it goes fast!
ReplyDeleteMy advice would be : Live in the now. Stop worrying about your checklist of doing the laundry, pumping, buying nappies etc and learn to just be present with your baby, they grow so fast!
ReplyDeleteMake the most of every moment
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your baby - don't rush to make them do their milestones as quick as possible - it goes so fast!
ReplyDeleteI really struggled with the first few months with my eldest - it took me 3 months to bathe him alone - I had my mum do it, I felt I'd drop him!!
ReplyDeleteWe struggled massively at first with eczema with our first child. iT WAS SO HARD ON HER
ReplyDeleteI'd tell new mums just to enjoy it; they're not little for long.
ReplyDeleteI struggled when I couldn't get my son to swallow his food
ReplyDeleteMy Baby is 3 weeks old and the last week has been abit of a struggle and I am thinking due to Colic maybe. I am trying to learn as I go but hate when she cries and I cannot find the cause. Christina Curtis.
ReplyDeleteI struggled when I became very poorly and couldn't breast feed my daughter when she was only weeks old. I felt very guilty but she thrived on formula. Just remember whatever else is happening fed is best. Breast or bottle as long as your baby has a full tummy you are doing a good job. My biggest advice is don't turn down help when it's offered or be afraid to ask for help or a break xx
ReplyDeleteI really struggled when at a baby massage class, all my baby wanted to do was feed and everyone else's babies were so calm and enjoying the massage class. Don't compare you and your baby to others, do what is best for you both.
ReplyDeleteCleaning feels like a mountain when you are exhausted. Do little bits as and when you can. The rest can wait.
ReplyDeleteI used to find mornings a struggle, getting two babies ready and a five year old to school on time wasn't easy. School was over a mile away and we had to walk everyday.
ReplyDeleteI struggled most in the first few weeks when my daughter was in intensive care. I felt guilty for not being with her all the time, then absolutely wretched and ill when I was on the ward. If I was speaking to someone in the same position I'd say making yourself ill is only going to make things worse for everyone.
ReplyDeleteLearn to delegate and remember to express gratitude.
ReplyDeleteAgree to alternate waking up and getting whatever mess is sorted at 3 4 5am in the morning, share that burden equally
ReplyDeleteRemember to look after youserlf as well as your baby.
ReplyDeleteTake a time out for yourself, or you'll end up suffering fatigue.
ReplyDeleteI struggled when my baby was 3 weeks old and my partner had returned to work, I was lonely and scared! I was diagnosed with post natal depression and received treatment which really helped! Don't suffer in silence.
ReplyDeleteSchedule in some me time and some partner time. You will probably only want to sleep at first but once you're into a routine, do something for yourself.
ReplyDeleteIm currently pregnant with our first child so unfortunately don't have any advice to share but reading these comments from other helpful parents may help me!
ReplyDeletel think my main problem was sleeping our first daughter cried a lot. Dont beat yourself upweall make mistakes and every child is different so you can never know everything
ReplyDeleteSmile graciously when you are given advice by an older friend or relative that is decades out of date. You never know, one day they might suggest something that helps you out.
ReplyDeleteKeep calm and sleep when your baby sleeps,
ReplyDeleteDon't be afraid to ask someone else for help.
ReplyDeleteTry to enjoy all the moments, you'll look back on them fondly xx
ReplyDeleteRest and sleep are important for health and wellbeing. Therefore aim to have a regular routinue which incorporates rest and sleep.
ReplyDeleteRachel Craig
When my 3rd child was born he suffered with Colic quite bad and his crying used to be so hard to listen too, it's a good job I had my mum to help me and give me breaks when I needed them x
ReplyDeleteUse technology to help. Invest in a sleep aid toy for the basket or cot; invest in a digital thermometer that gives clear, robust data without disturbing baby; invest in a state-of-the art digital bouncer; a monitor and digital bottle and food preparation. There are dozens of recommended products that help. Find one or two that suit you.
ReplyDeletemy son had colic so e had many sleepless night. Once we started using infacol it improved massively
ReplyDeleteI have post-natal depression with my first baby which was extremely difficult on my entire family, luckily we knew what to look out for in our second child so we were able to take precautions, and seek help when needed - don't be afraid to ask for help or advice if you don't feel as happy as you should after giving birth
ReplyDeleteI struggled a lot when my daughter was tiny with breastfeeding. But I was lucky to have some very good support around me, which helped me get through. My advise would be - no matter what the issue is, do take advantage of all the support around. You x
ReplyDeleteI did struggle with my first child, as it was all new and i was living abroad with no family to help me, so i was a very worried new mum, but no woman is born with parenting skills, its all new, you have this tiny baby in your arms and she relys on you, so you have to take a deep breath and get on with it, i would say to anybody enjoy this moment as they grow up so fast, there is always some body who can give you advice
ReplyDeleteThe few weeks of colic was very challenging - we really tried everything, and when we ran out of solutions, my daughter grew out of it. It seemed to me that although it is a big problem for many parents, it is not really supported by GP/nurse. They say that it is life and babies will just survive. But being a parent and feeling helpless in situations is difficult.
ReplyDeleteListen to all the advice you are given & just select that which suits you and your new family best
ReplyDeleteWhen my husband was on deployment was the hardest especially when they were younger a d no family near, but having the support of the other wives was a great help
ReplyDeleteEnjoy every minute of it, as the time goes by very fast
ReplyDeleterest & sleep when you can, try not to stress to much and don't be afraid to except help
ReplyDeletemy little girl is due in november, we have had so many scares with her so far, i have 8 weeks left and i cant wait to meet her xx
ReplyDeleteevery time i have struggled with something i asked for advice and always remember they do grow up eventually :)
ReplyDeleteBreastfeeding. My milk wasn't coming through . My nipples were cracked and bleeding. I was so stressed and unhappy. I eventually bottle fed. I was so upset about giving up but my family supported me and within a few weeks we settled into a routine. Very stressful time
ReplyDeleteI struggled with the lonliness. No one ever tells you that even though you may have friends who have had children they just don't get it when you explain being a single parent and up through the night for colic
ReplyDeleteI struggled so much with the lack of sleep. Trying to focus on things became an issue.
ReplyDelete