When people ask me what I do and I tell them that I am a doula most folks are at a bit of a loss. Perhaps the biggest challenge in my profession is simply educating the public about the existence and benefits of doula services.

The word "doula" literally translated means "female slave" or "maidservant." Merriam-Webster defines a doula as: a woman experienced in childbirth who provides advice, information, emotional support, and physical comfort to a mother before, during, and just after childbirth.

There are several different types of doulas. An antepartum doula, a birth or labor doula and a postpartum doula.

An antepartum doula provides assistance to the expecting mother and her family prior to the birth of a new baby. She specializes in high-risk pregnancies and is particularly crucial for women who have been placed on bedrest. However, an anterpartum doula can also be helpful for women who aren't high-risk or on bedrest; she can provide support for teenage mothers, for women who have multiple children, for women experiencing severe morning sickness, or for any woman who needs extra help during her pregnancy. An antepartum doula might assist with meal preparation, light housekeeping, errands, sibling care, preparing & organzing for the new baby's arrival and providing information and emotional support.

A birth or labor doula offers physical, emotional and informational support to a woman and her family just before, during and immediately following the birth of a new baby. She does not have medical training and therefore her care differs from that of a midwife. She is specifically trained and experienced in childbirth and can provide invaluable support and comfort for the mother and her partner during the birth.

A postpartum doula specializes in helping families after the baby is born by easing the burdens of everyday life so that the mother can focus on enjoying her new baby. She can provide breastfeeding or bottlefeeding support, prepare meals, do light housekeeping, errands, sibling care, or baby care so that the mother can tend to her own needs. Most importantly, she provides informational and emotional support during the adjustment period. She "mothers the new mother."

Colic can shake the confidence of even the most tranquil parents. Combine it with sleep deprivation and it’s enough to whittle away the last of anyone’s resolve. To make it even worse is the myriad of well-intended but unhelpful “cures” marketed to vulnerable parents desperate for a peaceful evening. What’s a frazzled mom (or dad) to do?

First, take a deep breath. Having had two colicky infants myself, I know first-hand how trying this period can be. Secondly, read on -- I hope that some of the following information might prove to be helpful for you…

To make sure that we’re on the same page, colic is typically defined using the “rule of threes,” inconsolable crying that:

• Begins within the first three weeks of life
• Lasts at least three hours a day
• Occurs at least three times a week

Renowned pediatrician Dr. William Sears wisely put it that, “if you wonder whether or not you have a colicky baby – you don't. The agonizing outbursts of inconsolable crying leave no doubt…” That being said, if you feel that your baby is in pain, call your pediatrician. Occasionally colic symptoms may indicate a medical problem such as infant reflux, thrush, or an ear infection.

Here are some tips that I found to be helpful for colic and others that I found to be a waste of money...

What didn’t help:

Simethicone drops (commonly known as Mylicon drops) - In my experience, simethicone drops did absolutely nothing to help ease colic symptoms in my children. In fact, several studies have found that simethicone is no more effective than a placebo in treating infant colic.

Gripe Water (an herbal remedy commonly containing fennel and ginger) – Helpful for minor upsets and great for hiccups but again, in my personal experience, gripe water alone did nothing to ease colic symptoms.

Colic Tablets (homeopathic remedy often containing chamomile) – While I LOVE Hylands brand teething tablets and I’ve used chamomile to treat general restlessness in my kids, again, these tablets alone did very little to address our colic symptoms.

What did help:

Probiotic drops – If I were to have another baby I would honestly introduce these drops from the get go. Within a week of introducing BioGaia drops (probiotic L reuteri) my daughter’s crying time lessoned. I wouldn’t go so far as to recommend these as a “cure” for colic and to be honest the use of these alone did not cease her crying but I did feel that they helped.

Diet restrictions – There is conflicting evidence on whether or not maternal diet contributes to colic symptoms in breastfeeding babies but I’ve talked to many mothers who swear that certain foods triggered fussiness. With my own children, eliminating dairy from my diet with my son and peanuts from my diet with my daughter resulted in a dramatic difference in their colic symptoms. My advice, don’t go crazy trying to restrict every possible colic-causing food from your diet but if nothing else is helping, keep a food journal for a few days and see if you notice a correlation between a certain food and your baby’s crying then try eliminating that food for a week. If you’re inclined to do so, Dr. Sears has a helpful elimination diet on his website.

Happiest Baby on the Block – Dr. Harvey Karp’s approach to colic including the “5 S’s” (Swaddling, Side or Stomach lying, Soothing sounds, Swinging, and Sucking). I highly recommend the book and/or DVD, or attending a Happiest Baby on the Block class. Karp’s combined techniques were hands-down the best survival techniques for getting through colic.

Baby wearing – Really, an extension of Dr Karp’s techniques, baby wearing serves as the 4th “S” (Swinging). If you have a baby with colic you simply must get a baby carrier. I know that my sanity depended on it!

Calling a friend – Last but not least, call a friend, your mom, your neighbor, a postpartum doula, anyone who can come over for a few hours and give you some relief.

It should go without saying but if you’re feeling at your wits end, it’s okay to put your baby in a safe place and walk away for a few minutes. Colic is a significant contributor to Shaken Baby Syndrome. Never, ever shake your baby!

Most importantly, remember that “this too shall pass” colic rarely lasts longer than 3 months and there is help out there, don’t be afraid to ask for it! 

Our first child was born at a hospital here in Denver and while we were thankful for the care that we received there, for our second birth we wanted something different. We weren’t quite ready for a homebirth but didn’t want to return to a hospital setting so we chose to birth at the Mountain Midwifery Center. From prenatal visits through to the birth of our daughter and beyond, our experience at MMC was phenomenal.

Mountain Midwifery Center, Colorado’s only freestanding birth center is located a half block south of Swedish Hospital off of Hampden and Clarkson.

More than just a beautiful and safe environment in which to birth, the Mountain Midwifery Center provides individualized care and education including full access to their extensive lending library and the opportunity to take courses such as Childbirth Preparation, Hypnobabies, Birthing from Within, Herbal Postpartum and Baby Care, Breastfeeding, Newborn Care, Baby Wearing, and Infant Massage.

Free orientation sessions are offered weekly and recommended for prospective maternity clients. You will have an opportunity to tour the center, learn about their approach to natural birth, and ask questions to determine if the Mountain Midwifery Center is right for you.

Mountain Midwifery also offers lactation consulting to clients and non-clients as well as well-woman care for women of all ages.

For more information, visit their website or contact them at:

Mountain Midwifery Center
3555 S. Clarkson St Suite 500
Englewood, CO 80113
303.788.0600