Tips For Keeping Your Cool And Calming Your Baby Down
Remember that your baby has feelings. Babies are emotional beings and experience feelings of happiness, sadness, joy, and anger from the very first moment of life. If, for whatever reason, you are having trouble being responsive to your baby, your child will pick up on those signals. How would you feel if your spouse or parent was unresponsive to your signals or attempts to communicate? Thinking of your baby as an individual with a unique personality may make it easier to interpret and respond to his or her cries.
Choose some techniques for taking a time out. Strategies like counting to ten, going outside, taking deep breaths, putting your baby down and walking around the house for a minute, can all help you maintain a calm frame of mind.
Find a mantra. A mantra is a sound, word, or phrase, often said over and over again, to provide comfort and inspiration. With a crying baby, you may find yourself talking out loud anyway, and a mantra can help provide perspective, comfort, and energy to keep going. Some examples might be: Just breathe,This is hard, but doable, and All will be well.
Baby blues or postpartum depression?
Exhaustion, rapidly shifting hormones, and a challenging child might make you feel frustrated, sad, or even depressed. If you find yourself feeling depressed, worthless, or resentful or indifferent towards your baby, dont try to wait it out. See: Postpartum Depression and the Baby Blues
My Baby Cries A Lot Is This Normal
All babies cry, and some babies cry a lot. Almost every parent loses sleep over a child that wont seem to stop crying, particularly late at night. In these situations, you might experience a range of emotions, from anger and distress to self-doubt and confusion. You might feel overwhelmed and begin to question your parenting abilities, or feel frustrated at not being able to understand why your baby is crying. You might fear losing your cool, or worry if your baby is sick.
Crying is certainly normal, even essential. It is a newborns first and initially only way of communicating its needs to others, ranging from Im hungry and Please change my diaper to I want you to hold me and I dont know what I want. In fact, you have likely noticed by now that a crying baby is both distressing and difficult to ignore, even if it is someone elses baby five rows down from you on a crowded airplane. Attending to a babys cries is rooted in our biology, and releases the hormone in our bodies that is responsible for social bonding and caregiving: oxytocin. Indeed, crying is every babys naturally powerful way of grabbing our attention, using what they have to get what they need!
No matter how tough it gets, remember to never shake your baby. Shaken Baby Syndrome occurs when a baby is shaken, causing the blood vessels in a babys head to break. It most commonly occurs when caregivers become frustrated at being unable to stop a baby from crying, and is entirely preventable.
Should I Take My Baby To The Doctor
- has a weak, high-pitched, continuous or abnormal-sounding cry
- is floppy when picked up
- has breathing problems, such as breathing very quickly or grunting while breathing
- is less than three months old and has a fever of 38C, or is three to six months old, and has a fever of 39C
- turns blue, goes very pale or blotchy
- An allergy or temporary intolerance to formula milk, or something you’ve eaten or drunk that’s got into your breastmilk.
- Reflux, which is when your baby brings up feeds or vomits after feeding.
- Wind, which can be caused by your baby swallowing too much air when feeding.
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Attachment Milestone : Give And Take Communication
With the third milestone, your babys level of engagement with you becomes more sophisticated.
Your baby uses an ever-increasing range of sounds, facial expressions, and gestureswide eyes, coos, nonsensical babbles, giggles, pointingto invite you to play and to indicate needs and wants.
You continue to watch your childs signals, gestures, and facial expressions and adjust your responses to those cues. You should notice more back and forth communication.
Dealing With Unbearable Pain
Although you hope it is not the case, your child just might not be able to tolerate some type of pain. There can be all kinds of reasons as to why your baby might be experiencing pain. While some of the aforementioned potential issues for screaming can also be associated with pain, other reasons might not be as easily identified. You should be on the lookout for signs of pain, and you should know there are all types of ways that your babys pain can be treated.
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What Causes Colic In Babies
Colic isn’t a sign that you’re not taking good care of your baby or that your baby is sick, although things such as reflux, food allergies, and exposure to cigarette smoke can cause further aggravation and tears. Nor is it necessarily a sign that your baby has belly pain, although the way they grimace, clench their body, arch their back, pull their legs up, and scream till they’re purple can make it seem so.
What causes colicand why some babies experience it and others don’tremains a mystery. Here are some theories:
When To Seek Professional Help
If your child seems to cry more than you think is normal or cannot be consoled, talk to your pediatrician. In some cases, an underlying medical issue, like an undiagnosed ear infection thats causing pain, can be the cause of a childs constant tears.
Once you know that everything is physically fine, you can work on reducing your childs crying together. Sometimes, the answer might be simple. When your child begins to cryas they are bound to do every now and thenthey may just need a little time to calm down.
If they are old enough to talk about whats bothering them, take the time to have a conversation. Talk about how to solve the problem together. Even if you cant magically fix the cause, your child will appreciate that youre there for comfort.
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Help Why Is My Baby Crying
One of the sweetest sounds that a parent hears is the first wails of their newborn. Have you ever asked yourself, why is my baby crying? Your baby is crying because its an automatic response. Its the first sign of life as the infant enters the world. Over the next few days and months, it will be the primary way your baby will communicate with you.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that a mother can detect her childs cry among a group of sobbing infants. Other tests have revealed that babies use different patterns and frequencies that mothers naturally discern. Crying is a precursor to language that ensures a child stays warm, fed, protected, and loved.
About Newborn Baby Behaviour
Sleeping, feeding, crying. Thats what newborn behaviour is all about in the first few months.
Although your baby might give you some eye contact, crying is probably the main thing youll notice about your babys behaviour. For example, your baby will cry because they feel hungry, unsettled, wet or uncomfortable, or just because they need a cuddle. And sometimes your baby will cry for no obvious reason.
Babies are born with very different temperaments. Some are relaxed and easygoing, and others seem to be more intense. Some seem to move constantly, and others are quieter. Some are cheerful most of the time, and others are more serious.
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Attachment Milestone : Shared Joy
Sharing joy with your baby establishes a connection between sensory experiences and safe and loving interaction with another person.
Your baby seeks engagement with you and participates in the back-and-forth exchange of gestures, smiles, sounds, and movement. Your baby will probably need frequent breaks from interacting.
You continue to let your baby lead the exchange. When your baby wants to interact, you respond with playful activity. If your baby wants to take a break, you slow down.
What Colic Looks And Sounds Like
Parents of babies with colic often say that the babies look like they are angry or in pain, have gas, or are trying to go to the bathroom without success. Other characteristics of a baby with colic:
- Higher pitched, more frantic crying
- Sudden crying, starting out of nowhere, and for no apparent reason
- Rigid or stiff body, often with clenched fists
- Bent legs and stomach may feel hard
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Some Parents Are Very Attentive
These parents often pick up on the early signs that their babies are hungry, or in need of something. According to dcurbanmom.com, this can sometimes keep those babies from crying. Perhaps since their needs are being met early on, they do not feel the need to cry.
But, that is not always the case. Parents cannot always focus all of their attention on their child, so they might miss some of the early signs that the baby is hungry, or that they wish to be held. When those early signs get missed, babies do start to cry. Additionally, their cries can mean different things, and figuring them out is not always easy.
When To Call Your Doctor
- Has been inconsolable for more than 2 hours
- Has a temperature of more than 100.4 F
- Wonât eat or drink anything or is vomiting
- Isnât peeing or has bloody poops, or doesnât respond to anything
Show Sources
American Academy of Pediatrics: âPracticing Safety: Coping with Crying,â âResponding To Your Babyâs Cries,â âGetting Your Baby to Sleep,â âCalming a Fussing Baby,â âColic Relief Tips for Parents.â
UpToDate: âPatient education: Colic in infants ,â âPatient education: Acid reflux in infants .â
Mayo Clinic: âCrying baby: What to do when your newborn cries,â âHow to swaddle a baby.â
Pediatrics: âBehavioral Interventions for Infant Sleep Problems: A Randomized Controlled Trial.â
Cochrane Systematic Review — Intervention: âDietary modifications for infantile colic.â
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Reasons Baby Is Crying
Why is my baby crying? Most parents of newborns probably ponder this question as they spend yet another sleep-deprived night rocking and soothing their bawling bundle of joy. Although infants cry for many of the same reasons that adults do, they do it in a way to get our attention.
Your baby is crying because they are hurting, frightened, or needs to snuggle. You must use your parental intuition and investigate to find the cause and settle them. If you hear those familiar high-pitched cries from the nursery, these are some likely reasons for your babys upset:
If Your Baby Cries A Lot
If youve tried a few things and your baby’s still regularly crying a lot:
- Keep a diary of your babys crying so you can see how things are changing
- Talk to other mums and dads and see if they have any ideas you can use – its sometimes helpful to know other parents are going through the same thing and youre doing everything you can
- Talk to your partner, someone close to you, and your midwife, health visitor or family nurse about how the crying’s affecting you and get help if you need it
- Take some time out from your baby – ask someone you trust to look after them while you take a break
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Answer The Babys Crying Consistently
No research supports the notion that an infant can be spoiled by having their every cry answered during the first six months. Studies have shown that consistent maternal responses in the first six months reduce infant crying later in life.
This is because manipulative thinking, such as When I cry, my mother comes to play with me, has not developed yet. So, an infant cannot become spoiled by having their cries answered consistently. Rather than being spoiled, the infant will learn that their needs will always be met reliably.
How Colic Affects New Parents
Although its not harmful in itself, colic can still take its toll. For starters, it puts terrible pressure on new parents. It sent my husband and me into therapy, confesses Catherine McManus, a mom from Oviedo, Florida. Excessive crying is also associated with giving up breastfeeding, overmedication of babies, postpartum depression, and shaken-baby syndrome.
Colic is nerve-racking, but its helpful to remember that its also temporary. Colic is not your babys defining personality trait, says Laura Jana, M.D., coauthor of Heading Home with Your Newborn . Once the colic is gone, your child can have a completely different personalityspunky, sensitive, crabby. But colic is not going to tell you which, because it doesnt carry over.
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Tips For Settling Your Baby
- Once youve checked the basics theyre clean, dry, comfortable and fed consider if they just need to be close to you. Often, babies dont need anything ‘done’ for them, they just want to be held by the people they feel emotionally connected with.
- Hold your baby close to you and gently pat, rock or sway. Use a soothing, reassuring voice to let them know youre there. Sometimes the only way youll be able to settle your baby is to hold them until they fall asleep. See your child health nurse if your baby always needs to be cuddled to sleep.
- Take a walk outside and have a change of scenery this can help because its distracting.
- Try holding them in different positions in your arms. Offer skin-to-skin contact if theyre still very young.
- Offer a dummy if your baby has one.
- Give your baby a warm bath and a massage afterwards. Be sensitive to your babys cues some babies love baths and others dislike being undressed.
- Offer your baby a comforting breastfeed. If your baby is bottle feeding, they may need some extra milk.
- If your baby is younger than 3 months, swaddle them with a light cotton or muslin wrap.
- Put some music on, try humming, singing a song or reading to your baby. The sound of your voice may be enough to soothe them.
- Hand them to another trusted adult. Have a break from the intensity of your babys crying.
Crying Reason #: Pain
Babies sometimes get infections or irritations that can cause discomfort, which can lead to crying. Conditions like earaches, teething, or diaper rash can cause pain. Many of these conditions can be treated by a medical professional. A healthcare provider should be consulted if you suspect baby is in pain or has an infection.
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Signs Of Colic In Babies
Dr. Lester says the colic symptom checklist includes the sudden onset of a high-pitched, screechy “pain cry” and inconsolability. Other signs include an enlarged stomach, passing more gas than usual, and extending/pulling up the legs.
What’s the difference between normal crying and colic? With normal crying, the wails are usually related to a need , and come in no particular pattern throughout the day and night. Fussy babies tend to calm down with cuddling, being held, being sung to, or being rocked. Colicky babies, on the other hand, suffer from unprovoked crying spells that don’t stop after trying soothing techniques.
“Colic is not the same kind of cry you’d get with ‘I’m hungry,’ or ‘I’m dirty,’ or ‘I’m tired,'” says Parents advisor Jennifer Shu, M.D., coauthor of Heading Home With Your Newborn. “With a hunger cry, babies feel better when you feed them. With colic, you don’t know what your baby wants.”
Why Is My Baby Crying For No Reason
It can be frustrating and distressing when your baby is crying for no reason and wont stop.
For new parents, it can also be confusing.
Why does my newborn cry for no reason when nothing seems wrong?
Heres the thing babies dont cry for no reason.
But babies may cry for no reason that you can identify yet.
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In Babies Over 3 Months
Newborn crying has a physiological basis, such as hunger, and infants this young rely on a parent to soothe them, explains Patti Ideran, OTR/L CEIM, a pediatric occupational therapist who focuses on treating infants with colic, crying, and sleeping or feeding difficulties.
Babies older than about 3 or 4 months of age have likely mastered self-soothing, by using a thumb, fist, or pacifier. But that doesnt mean they dont have their vocal moments. They may be frustrated, sad, angry, or have and use crying as a way to communicate those feelings.
Teething pain is also a big reason for crying in older babies. Most babies sprout a first tooth between 6 and 12 months. In addition to fussiness and crying, your babys gums may be swollen and tender, and they may drool more than usual.
To relieve the discomfort of teething, offer your baby a clean frozen or wet washcloth or a solid teething ring. If the crying continues, talk to your pediatrician about giving an appropriate dose of acetaminophen . You can also give ibuprofen if your baby is older than 6 months.
Here are the things to try if you have an inconsolable little one:
If the cause of crying is still a mystery, try:
- rocking baby in a chair or in your arms
- swaddling your baby
- placing them in a windup swing
- giving them a warm bath
- singing to them
If you suspect your babys in pain, check hands, feet, and genitalia for a hair tourniquet , which can certainly set your baby off.