As a new parent, you've read all the handbooks – you aren't fooled, you know your baby is going to cry. But what you didn't count on was how much. And if your baby is considered to be high-needs or has been diagnosed with colic, that little bundle can log a few hours of crying a day.

The Mayo Clinic defines colic as "crying more than three hours a day, three days a week for more than three weeks in an otherwise well-fed, healthy baby." Having a baby cry this much is very stressful and all you want to do is provide the best care possible.

The first step should be to consult with your doctor to rule out any other factors of discomfort, says Renee Tesch, a certified childbirth educator and postpartum doula from Surrey, British Columbia. And then remember that the best care for your baby includes taking care of yourself and taking breaks to refresh and maintain your sanity.

When your baby won't stop crying you may begin to feel like you are not doing the right thing – no matter what you do. But sometimes it isn't a matter of what you are doing, just that you are there to comfort your little one.

Jenny Zavala, a mom of two from Roseburg, Ore., says her first son had colic that resulted in him crying most of each day until he was 5 months old. No matter how patient or calm you are, you will need a break from your crying baby (and it is OK to feel that way).

Content on this site is not a substitute for professional medical or healthcare advice, diagnosis or treatment, and may not be used for such purposes. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical question or condition. Reliance on information presented on this site is at your own risk. This site contains the opinions and views of other users. Given the interactive nature of this site, we cannot endorse, guarantee, or be responsible for the accuracy, efficacy, or veracity of any content generated by our users.