Hilary Duff is mum-shamed after sharing her parenting struggles online

Words: Elizabeth Di Filippo

Hilary Duff is getting real about the highs and the lows of parenting.

The 31-year-old actress and singer gave birth to daughter Banks Violet Bair at her home in October of last year. Despite having a six-year-old son Luca from a previous relationship, Duff’s experience with a newborn is proving more difficult this time around.

In a recent post to Instagram, Duff shared a photo of herself writing, “Calling all parents of colic babies…this ends right? Can you ever set them down without them screaming OR waking up?”

“We have read everything the internet has to offer…nothing besides nursing basically every hour or less helps! We have done all the obvious things. Please leave magic tricks in comments!” continued the former ‘Lizzie McGuire’ star.

Fans did their best to offer their advice to the exhausted mum, suggesting she try cutting out dairy to seeking out help from a chiropractor certified in treating babies.

“Probiotics do wonders!” one fan suggested. “And a specialized chiropractic! It does get better but those two things made a world of difference for my baby. #prayingforyou.” [sic]

“All of my babies had colic, it seemed like it was linked to milk allergies for all three,” another fellow mum said. “You might want to visit a change in milk. Breastfeeding is best, but sometimes it can’t be done.”

But the 31-year-old star couldn’t catch a break – and was called out by several fans after posting a photo of herself breastfeeding her daughter while eating what appeared to be Brussels sprouts.

Many suggested the star’s choice in food is contributing to her daughter’s colic.

“Sweetheart, that right there could be the reason for colic…,” one naysayer wrote. “Brussels sprouts are a very gassy food as well as cabbage and could be causing sweet baby a tummy ache.”

Duff has been open about her pregnancy and her decision to deliver Banks at home without pain medication saying she felt “like a total badass.”

Recently, the new mum shared a sweet photo of herself with her daughter, showing off her toned post-baby body writing, “We two months in sister. Been a lot of sleepless nights and you sure do scream a lot. But you are worth every moment my little strugglebunny.”

What is colic?

It’s common for infants to be fussy, but when babies cry for more than three hours a day, upwards of three times a week, they are considered a colicky baby.

Approximately 40 per cent of all infants have colic, which typically begins between the third and sixth week after birth and lasts until the baby is around four months old.

Colic tends to go away on its own, but can be diagnosed by doctors. Colicky babies are healthy in weight, size and have hearty appetites, but experience periods where they issue a high-pitch cry and can’t be comforted.

What causes colic?

The cause of colic is unknown, but it has been linked to gas, undiagnosed gastro esophageal reflux or a milk intolerance.

Babies who are both breastfed and bottle fed can experience colic, however some breastfeeding moms have said they saw improvements when they changed their diet, and cut out caffeine, dairy, soy, egg and wheat products.

How to cope with a colicky baby

If there are changes in the baby’s eating pattern, including more frequent vomiting or changes in stool, visit your doctor to rule out any serious health problems.

Parents of colicky babies can become very frustrated and tired. It’s important to ask friends and family for help to ensure everyone in the household can get a much deserved break.

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