Growing up, my mother used to tell horror stories of my older brother screaming for hours upon hours. She used to say there were days when she wanted to scream with him. I remember laughing at those stories as a child. And then my own colicky baby was born.
Initially, he was the sweet quiet darling every mother imagines. Then at about four weeks old, something happened. For about twelve hours everyday he screamed. As a new parent, I wore myself out trying to figure out what was wrong. Eventually, I'd leave him in his crib to cry while I piped up the music and tried to imagine (in our 700 square foot house) that I couldn't hear him.

One day I read the symptoms for colic and the "hallelujah" chorus began. There was something wrong with him, not me! Of course, differing opinions on exactly what colic is varied to a degree, but the general diagnosis seemed to fit exactly-an immature digestive system causing stomach pain and gas, combined with an immature nervous system causing a tendency to over-tiredness and over-stimulation.
Over the next several weeks we tried all the "tried-and-true" techniques, and a few more experimental ones that eventually brought peace to the household.

1. Provide in utero conditions. This could range from dim lighting and (loud) white noise machines (soothy bears, washing machine, box fan, etc.) to a tight swaddling and constant motion.

2. Lay your baby in a more upright position. A car seat or bouncy chair may work for naps. Also, placing a rolled blanket underneath the mattress of the crib may provide the perfect incline to help with an immature digestive system.

3. Avoid laying your baby down immediately after a meal, and try to distract him after he has eaten. Many times your baby will confuse a trapped burp for having to go to the bathroom. When he pushes, he intensifies the gas cramp, beginning the vicious cycle.

4. Put your baby to bed at the first signs of tiredness. Because your baby is alert and having fun doesn't mean that he isn't tired. By the time your baby is cranky, he's overtired and may have trouble getting to sleep. Television or other stimuli may give him more to process than he is mature enough to handle. At the first yawn, swaddle your little one to bed. That may mean that "activity time" is limited to a diaper change. That's okay. Everyone will be happier in the end.

5. Cuddle and soothe your baby. At the height of colic is not the time to try to teach your baby to

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