NEW YORK — A fussy baby equals one frantic mother. Most moms agree they’d do anything to relieve their kids’ upset tummies, according to new research.
A survey of 1,289 mothers with children between 2 and 9 who either suffered from colic or a cow’s milk allergy (CMA) finds nearly half of moms (49%) worry the most about not finding a solution or relief for their baby. Another 33 percent feel these issues will affect their baby’s growth and development.
Mom guilt
The study finds 68 percent of respondents experience “mom guilt” mainly due to a feeling of helplessness that they couldn’t fix their baby’s problem right away. Unfortunately, 36 percent also feel guilty when they need or ask for help. Parenting is never easy, but some mothers are having a difficult time adjusting.
The survey, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Store Brand Formula, also finds that nearly half of moms believe their baby’s prolonged crying to be the most frustrating aspect of parenting a finicky baby. Moreover, lack of sleep is all too common for more than a third of the moms in the poll, with the average mom revealing she manages to get an average of just four hours of sleep a night.
Being a mom takes a financial and social toll
Regrettably, mothers in the survey also reveal they’ve missed out on certain things because of their colicky or CMA-symptomatic baby. For example, 42 percent have missed out on family vacations because of their suffering baby. Another 35 percent had to pass on social gatherings and 34 percent of moms admit they’ve said goodbye to their self-care routines as a result of their child.
The financial toll of caring for a baby with colic or CMA also weighs heavily on moms. Sadly, four in ten moms were fearful they wouldn’t be able to afford the appropriate relief for their baby. On average, these moms end up spending $230 on various potential solutions or products such as gas drops, probiotics, and different bottles for their suffering child.
“As a pediatrician, I have seen the emotional, physical and financial tolls a colicky or child with CMA can have on families struggling to provide relief for their baby,” says Dr. Jen Trachtenberg, board-certified pediatrician and parenting expert, in a statement. “Purchasing various products to help provide relief can add up quickly for families, especially for babies experiencing colic symptoms as a result of CMA who may need a hypoallergenic infant formula, which can exceed $200 per month.”
Price can get in the way of health
Not surprisingly, the study finds moms cite price as their number one complaint about hypoallergenic infant formula.
“Parents need and deserve an affordable solution to help provide relief for their distressed babies,” adds Cynthia M. Barber, Ph.D., Perrigo’s Senior Director of Innovation and Medical Affairs.
In addition to saving money, mothers would give others dealing with a child who was displaying symptoms of prolonged crying and other key signs of colic a few tips of advice they wish they knew about life with a struggling infant.
More than half (52%) would tell others dealing with the same baby issues that just because your baby has colic, doesn’t mean they’re unhealthy. In fact, 39 percent would tell others that it’s all temporary, while 38 percent would remind moms that colic is quite common.