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Colicky Baby? How to Manage Migraine as a New Mother

Posted on 1/10/2024 in Motherhood

The early months of motherhood are a time of joy mixed with exhaustion. One of the most common issues faced by new parents is colic, a condition characterized by excessive crying in healthy infants. As a parent, you want your baby to feel content and soothed, and colic can feel particularly distressing. For mothers who already experience migraine attacks, the combination of these two conditions can be particularly overwhelming.

Here’s how you can manage your symptoms alongside your colicky baby to ensure your baby’s needs are met and your health is taken care of.

The Connection Between Migraine and Infant Colic

People who experience migraine know it’s more than headaches. Alongside throbbing head pain, migraine attacks often involve nausea, light and sound sensitivity, facial pressure and more.

Infant colic is a period of excessive crying in healthy newborn babies. It typically goes away naturally after three or four months. Although the precise cause of colic is yet to be determined, it is often attributed to factors such as:

  • Food allergies or intolerances.
  • Overfeeding or underfeeding.
  • Immature digestive systems.
  • Sensitivity to certain stimuli.

You may not realize it, but there’s a scientific link between migraine in moms and colic in babies. Women who experience migraine are more than twice as likely to have colicky babies, likely due to shared genetic or environmental factors, including heightened sensitivity to sensory stimuli.

Sleep deprivation and stress can worsen both conditions, creating a hard-to-break cycle. Fortunately, understanding this connection can empower you to manage both more effectively, giving you tools to help you and your baby feel better.

 

What’s Triggering Your Migraine Attacks?

Did you know that the second-most common type of headache after childbirth is migraine headaches? Sleep deprivation, which is often unavoidable with a newborn, is a primary cause of migraine attacks. The stress and anxiety of caring for a new baby, especially one with colic, can also set off these intense headaches.

Your body goes through significant hormonal changes after childbirth, which can impact migraine frequency and severity. Lastly, your diet may have changed — either due to breastfeeding considerations or simply the chaos of new parenthood — potentially introducing new triggers.

 

How to Manage Migraine Attacks as a New Mom

While it might seem impossible to manage migraine with a colicky baby, there are strategies you can employ. Experiment with simple, effective self-care strategies that fit into your busy schedule, such as:

  • Prioritize rest: Establish a consistent sleep routine, even if it's broken into shorter periods. Most new mothers sleep when their baby sleeps to get as much shut-eye as possible throughout the day and night. Rest is one of the best ways to prevent migraine attacks.
  • Practice stress-reduction techniques: Even a few minutes of mindfulness or deep breathing exercises can help when you feel overwhelmed.
  • Pay attention to your diet: Identify any food triggers that might be exacerbating your migraine attacks and replace them with alternatives. Interestingly, if you’re among the 80% of Americans with a magnesium deficiency, it could explain your recent surge in migraine attacks. To be safe, incorporate magnesium-rich foods like fish, avocado, nuts, whole grains and leafy greens into your diet to help reduce migraine frequency and severity.
  • Drink enough water: Dehydration is a common migraine trigger, so keep a water bottle nearby and sip throughout the day.
  • Gentle exercise: Light activities such as walking, stretching, yoga and even Zumba can help relieve stress, improve circulation and prevent migraine attacks. Try to schedule 30-minute sessions at least three times per week for the best results.
  • Learn baby soothing techniques: To help calm a fussy baby, try swaddling them snugly, playing white noise, gently rocking them and reducing overstimulation to ease your baby’s discomfort. A calm environment benefits everyone — when your baby is settled, you’re more likely to relax, lowering your stress levels and reducing migraine triggers.

 

 

Seeking Support and Asking for Help

You don’t have to do this alone. Seeking support from family, friends or your partner can make a significant difference. Let others help with chores, meals and caring for your baby while you take a moment for yourself.

Also, consult your health care provider about postpartum migraine to learn how to manage your symptoms to enhance your quality of life.

Manage Migraine and Enjoy Motherhood

Managing migraine while caring for a colicky baby is no easy feat, but with the right strategies, you can better manage your symptoms. Remember to be patient and kind to yourself. This is a tough season — but you’re doing an amazing job. Don’t hesitate to seek help when you need it, as taking care of yourself is one of the best ways to care for your baby.


ABOUT OUR CONTRIBUTOR:
Mia Barnes is a professional freelance writer and the Editor-in-Chief of Body+Mind. She has over 5+ years of experience researching and writing about family health and postpartum wellness. When she isn't writing, you can find Mia walking her dog or trying new recipes.

Queen Bee Maternity



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