Your Brilliant Baby in Week 10: The Mystery of Colic

Since colic is normal, simply carry your infant around during her colicky hours but concentrate on your task rather than the child. With Baby in a front pack, swing and sway while staying busy and mobile without getting agitated. During these crying bouts, your child may or may not want to nurse. Comfort her, but don't be obsessed with getting the crying to stop. As difficult as the wailing is to take, accept it as a fact of life for now, knowing this difficult period results with no long-term negative consequences.

The main concern regarding colic is child abuse. Take turns holding your colicky baby with your spouse, parent, supportive friend, or nanny. Find ways to temporarily soothe her, such as massage, music, and baths, but be aware that such maneuvers only reduce crying by half. Explain to caregivers that the behavior is normal and expected. Reassure yourself and others that these periods of crying will pass.

Your Week 10 Toolbox

Related skills and topics this week include …

• Week 5: Crying to Gain Your Trust
• Week 13: The Myth of Spoiling Baby
• 7 Common Questions about Formula and Colic
• Inventive Ways to Stop Baby's Cries

Next week, look forward to: Week 11: Raising a Bilingual Child

Catch up on last week: Week 9: Cooing and Parentese

Curious about how else Baby might be developing right now? Learn more about her brilliant brain and her growing body here:

• What's happening in Baby's third month?
• Use our Development Tracker to check off your child's 0-3 month milestones.
• Here's what our pediatrician says you might be worried about this month.