Reading to a colicky infant?
My 4-week-old daughter suffers from extreme gas pain that leaves her spending very few waking hours in a content, attentive state. Our lives for the past month have literally been about near-constant soothing over 90% of the time she's awake. Through generous application of the 5 S techniques from Dr. Karp's "Happiest Baby on the Block" we are able to keep her below the 3-hours-a-day 3-times-a-week qualification to officially declare her as colicky, but if we weren't constantly soothing her, I'm sure that she'd qualify.
I'd like to do everything I can to give her every advantage. One component of that should be reading to her regularly. However, with constant pain and the related crying/soothing there seems to be no opportunities left to read to her. The amount of time she spends in a quiet, attentive state each day measures in a handful of minutes. We're spending those moments talking to her, getting face-to-face time, and occasionally introducing high-contrast visual stimuli.
When should we become concerned about not having enough time spent reading? Is there any benefit to reading to her while she is sleeping?
I'm not so much worried about the time spent right now, but if this continues for 3, 6, or 9 months (as we've heard could be the case), then I'm concerned that the only word she'll know is "Shhhhhhh"
(2)2 Comments
Sorted by latest first Latest Oldest Best
Reading should be an enjoyable experience. The child revels in the lilt and nuances of words being said, particularly because the child is typically cuddled up with mom/dad and looking at pictures. Its multi-sensory, while also developing a love of books and reading. However, if its not enjoyable and soothing (to both baby and parent), don't beat yourself up. 4 weeks is quite young and the only thing you need to be focusing on is loving and providing for your child. Nothing else matters, nor will your child 'fall behind' for not having been read to at an ultra-early age.
Incidentally, there is this homeopathic 'medicine' called Gripe Water, that does wonders for gas/colic. My daughter was also colicky, and giving her Gripe Water helped, as did spending considerable amounts of time burping her, even when it seemed like she was done burping. Another thing to consider is baby's diet. If breast-fed, then you can track mom's eating habits to see if it is something specific that flares up the gas more. Same goes for formula.
Ouch. You're reminding me of long nights with our oldest when she was an infant.
What worked well for us - or at least, it helped - was wearing her in a sling for large amounts of time each day.
We used a close-to-the-body cuddly fabric sling where the baby faces the parent (not a rigid structured sling where the baby faces 'outwards'), so you can wrap her up close to you and walk around with her and she can feel held/enclosed and rocked and warm, and ideally she can even hear your heartbeat - a bit like being back in the womb. At the same time it keeps her upright, which also helps the colic. So this all helps her get off to sleep, which is good for both of you.
See: Babywearing - the Dr Sears books are good on this.
As far as reading is concerned: I wouldn't worry. She's very young yet and she's learning language by hearing adult conversation as well as by what's directly said to her.
Terms of Use Privacy policy Contact About Cancellation policy © freshhoot.com2025 All Rights reserved.