Your strength, patience and inner           ';
resources are your child's primary sources of   ';
      strength as well.  Taking care            ';
of yourself is the best way to take care of your';
                 baby.                          ';
                                                ';
Find out the time that you need away from your  ';
baby to renew your strength.  Schedule the time ';
you need, arrange for responsible child care and';
recharge yourself-- your baby will thank you.   ';
    Rearing children is the responsibility      ';
  of the entire community, in a certain sense.  ';
                                                ';
Those who care for you and those who will bene- ';
fit from having your child grow and develop are ';
involved in the raising of your child as well.  ';
                                                ';
Look at those who actually care, find out who   ';
you trust and then ask for their help when you  ';
need it.  Most will respond when you need help. ';
Your doctor is a primary source of wisdom, know-';
   ledge and support for you and your child.    ';
                                                ';
The key to getting this support is sharing with ';
your physician, not only what is happening, but ';
also what your are feeling.  Share as much as   ';
you can and then listen carefully to what advice';
is given you.  There may not be an answer but   ';
may be support.  This can be as important as any';
pill. Be sure and follow your doctor's advice.  ';
        Like your child, you might at times     ';
need to regain your balance and composure to    ';
           have things work right.              ';
                                                ';
When things start getting to you you might feel ';
like getting away from it all.  Your child cry- ';
ing may be more than you can handle in the house';
and you might want to find a refuge.  Be sure   ';
your child is safe and then go sit in the car   ';
for a while.  It will be quiet and should help. ';
    All those involved with you and your        ';
child are potential assistants to help you pro- ';
vide what your child needs to grow and develop. ';
                                                ';
Get organized.  Decide who will do what when.   ';
Look for ways to support each other, to step in ';
when others get weary.  Talk it out when things ';
get to you.  Share ideas and particularly share ';
what works for you even if it only works for a  ';
short time.  Working as a team can really help. ';
    Your internal feelings and state of         ';
mind can be communicated to your child and make ';
things better or worse for a child with colic.  ';
                                                ';
Seek out and learn a way to relax yourself.  It ';
is best to do this before you really need it.   ';
Practice these techniques so that relaxing be-  ';
comes a habit.  Use it often throughout the day ';
and get to the point that you can recognize when';
you are getting uptight and then relax, relax.  ';
      Both calm and discomfort are in a         ';
             sense, contagious.                 ';
                                                ';
While it may be difficult to do, try approaching';
your child when you have the inner resources to ';
best communicate that inner sense of calm.      ';
                                                ';
If this is not possible, do not leave your child';
alone but rather pull yourself together as best ';
you can before approaching your child.          ';
      Taking care of yourself is the best       ';
    basis for taking good care of your child.   ';
                                                ';
Pushing yourself to exhaustion is not the best  ';
way to take care of anyone.  If you need rest,  ';
get it when you can.                            ';
                                                ';
Taking care of a child with colic may be a full ';
time job and you may have to let other responsi-';
bilities go to get the job done.                ';
     A child with colic is a strain on          ';
everyone involved.  It is never the result of a ';
personal or a family failure.  Admit that you   ';
are taking on a formidable task and then line up';
all the resources you have available in case    ';
they are needed.                                ';
                                                ';
When you need the help, ask for it.  Many will  ';
respond with assistance.  This is not weakness  ';
but wisdom-- a source of strength.              ';
                                                ';
                                                ';