Listen: Parents feeling like they are failing

Infant colic can have many causes. In some cases, it is caused by temporary lactose intolerance. Colic is when a healthy infant cries frequently and for prolonged periods of and it can be very intense, for both baby and parents.

There is often a peak in births in late September as more babies are conceived in the weeks leading up to and days after Christmas than any other time of year.  So, with a potential baby boom incoming, it’s vital to raise awareness of colic and what can be done to ease discomfort and stress for both infant and parent.

A new study reveals more than a quarter (28%) of parents felt worried when their child showed signs of colic, with 19% stating they felt helpless and 13% sadly feeling like they were failing as a parent, highlighting the impact on their confidence.

However, creating a strong support network is key for both new and experienced parents yet 24% of those who said their baby cries inconsolably didn’t reach out for help at all. Furthermore, 3 in 10 (30%) didn’t look for coping mechanisms, with 13% saying they struggled to find solutions during these times, according to research by Colief.

Aston spoke to parenting expert Ruth Davies.

Photo by Nikoline Arns on Unsplash