Let's face it, caring for a baby is hard work. Your little bundle of joy might cry more than you ever expected. Listening to a crying baby can be frustrating, especially when it never seems to end. As a parent or caregiver, you have limited energy, patience and tolerance. It's common to feel overwhelmed, helpless and possibly even angry by the constant demands of the baby.
How to Calm a Crying Baby
- Check physical needs first: Is the baby hungry? Thirsty? Need to be burped? Too hot or cold? Diaper dirty?
- Check for signs of illness or fever. If you think the baby may be sick seek medical attention immediately.
- Rock the baby, hold the baby close, or walk with the baby.
- Stand up, hold the baby close, and repeatedly bend at your knees.
- Sing or talk to the baby in a soothing voice.
- Gently rub or stroke the baby's back, chest, or tummy.
- Offer a pacifier or try to distract the baby with a rattle or toy.
- Swaddle the baby with a soft blanket.
- Take the baby for a ride in a stroller or in a car seat in the car.
- Turn on some music or noise like a vacuum cleaner or clothes dryer.
- Try each of the above for a few minutes before trying something else, or try a few together. If nothing seems to work, it is OK to leave the baby in a safe place (like a crib or infant seat) and take time to calm down. Leave the room. Shut the door. Take a few deep breaths. Call a friend or family member.
Why does my baby cry so much?
The first cries of a newborn baby are often music to parents' ears. However, as the weeks pass, this "music" can become grating and difficult to deal with. This is especially true when all attempts to stop the crying fails.
All babies cry a lot during the first few months of life. Crying is the way babies communicate. It can be challenging to distinguish newborn crying. However, as babies get older, parents can sometimes differentiate an "I'm hungry" cry from an "I've been over-stimulated" cry. Babies cry because they are hungry, uncomfortable, frustrated, tired or even lonely. Sometimes, cries can easily be answered with food or a diaper change.
It is important to respond to your baby's cries. Contrary to "old wives' tales," young babies cannot be spoiled by being picked up when they cry. Being held is reassuring and comforting when a baby cannot express herself any other way.
Although babies cry in order to communicate, crying can continue for a long time with no apparent reason. Crying can be a mystery and it stops as quickly as it begins. Your baby is not mad at you and he is not trying to make you look like a bad parent. Even the most loving parent and caregiver can feel frustrated by a crying baby. Feeling frustrated does not make you a bad parent or caregiver. It is very normal to feel aggravated by crying.
Remember:
- All babies cry and it is how they communicate.
- Your baby may cry more each day until they are 2 to 3 months old.
- Babies often cry more in the evenings
- Crying can last 30-40 minutes and even longer. An infant may spend 2-3 hours a day crying.
- Babies often cry intensely when they are not in pain, even though they may look like they are in pain.
- Sometimes your baby may need to cry to relieve stress and it's okay to let him cry.
- Crying may come and go, and you won't know why.
- Crying may not stop no matter what you try.
- Take comfort in knowing that the crying will eventually stop.
- Your job as a parent is not to make your baby stop crying.
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