How strenuous life with a colicky baby can be is difficult for outsiders to imagine. To illustrate the magnitude of the burden: In some states, sleep deprivation and constant noise are used as methods of torture. In view of the ongoing attrition, a fuse can blow at some point. Before that happens, those affected should seek professional help. They can find this, among other places, in a crying clinic.
Crying clinics as a way out of the crisis::/H2
Accepting outside help is difficult for many. They feel ashamed because they mistakenly believe they have failed and are not up to the task. In fact, the opposite is the case. A colicky baby can quickly lead you to your limits. By seeking help, you prove a sense of responsibility, judgment, and determination. Especially if the decision was difficult for you, you show that you are great "parent material".
After all, there wouldn't be crying clinics in almost every town if a colicky baby were a task that could normally be solved easily. There are specialists there who deal with the topic every day and who can most likely help you and your baby.
The situation is therefore by no means hopeless, and you should take advantage of the offer in good time before you lose control in the heat of the moment and possibly end up shaking your baby.
In the crying clinic, you will be taken seriously and cared for. Often it is enough that you feel understood and realize that you are not alone with the problem. Based on examinations, medical reasons for the crying are excluded, the situation is analyzed, and behavioral and coping strategies are developed.
Some crying clinics also offer a so-called crisis telephone. Through this hotline, experts can be reached by phone in the event of a crisis without an appointment and can provide initial help if necessary. During the phone call, you can usually arrange an appointment at the crying clinic at short notice to find a way out together.
In the crying clinic
In the crying clinic, trained professionals take care of your problem. You discuss the situation with specialist psychologists, psychotherapists, or alternative practitioners. Together, you analyze when and in which situations your baby cries, what causes might be present, and how relief can be provided. In some crying clinics, there is even the possibility of a relationship analysis or video feedback. In addition, you will be helped there to understand that you are not to blame for the misery, that you are certainly not bad parents, and that this difficult time will eventually pass. You get tips on how to calm your baby and how to keep your nerves when chaos is raging around you again and sleep has been out of the question for days.
Sometimes a big effect can be achieved with small things, for example through slight changes in your daily routine, when falling asleep, when calming down, or in your bedtime rituals. Maybe the baby just needs a bit more routine. Maybe a different grip when carrying them around works wonders. It is very possible that it is something you would never have thought of in your life, even though it is actually a trivial matter. However, there are also cases in which the cause cannot be fathomed. But then you will at least receive the necessary mental tools in the crying clinic with which you can survive the next few weeks until the nightmare is over.
You have nothing to lose by visiting a crying clinic, but much to gain.
Crying clinic in action
In the blog magazine "Stadt Land Mama", Monika Wilborny and Claudia Behncke from the SchreiBabyAmbulanz-Kompentenzzentrum Frühe Hilfe e.V were interviewed about their work. You can find an excerpt here:
What exactly does your work look like?
Our work is mainly based on the findings of modern humanistic psychology and prenatal psychology. In addition, we take into account the latest findings from neurobiology, developmental psychology, and attachment research.
Our humanistic image of man assumes that body, mind, and soul are closely connected. If there are problems in one area, this also influences the other areas.
In body therapy oriented towards Wilhelm Reich and the approach further developed by Paula Diederichs for work in crying clinics, one assumes a flow of energy in the body. Spiritual experience is stored in body consciousness.
Through empathic listening and targeted massages, negative experiences can be alleviated. In this way, deficient attachment patterns can change positively during crisis support. We offer help within 48 hours. In addition, each family can take advantage of up to 10 sessions. Our work is intended to provide a low-threshold impetus to help parents and their children out of the crisis and not give the appearance of a therapeutic relationship.
Click here for the full interview on Stadt Land Mama
Crying clinics exist throughout Germany. If you don't know any, just look on the internet or ask your pediatrician for advice.
By the way
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