|
Play Article
|
Crying is a normal part of baby development, and some babies cry more than others. Crying is a baby’s only form of communication; it is the only way of letting you know that your baby needs or wants something. Your baby never cries intentionally; it is a signal that something is wrong. They cry when they’re hungry, thirsty, unwell, uncomfortable, overtired, need a diaper change, or just want a cuddle because they’re lonely. After all, babies often need a lot of calming, soothing, and holding when they are upset. It can be frustrating for you if you don’t know why your baby is crying or how to stop your baby from crying. It is not easy to calm a crying baby, especially in the first few days, weeks, and months. This situation can be overwhelming, but you just need to keep calm during these challenging times. If you think you might lose control, put your baby in a safe place, walk away, and just take a short break. Don’t lose your temper; always remember a calm baby begins with relaxed parents.
Read below to find out how to soothe your baby and what to do if your baby won’t stop crying.
- The Pros or Cons of Sending 3-Month-Old Infants to Daycare
- Pedialyte for Babies: When and How to Drink It, very important
- 10 Awesome Learning Activities for Toddlers and Parents?
- Why Affirmations And Meditation Can Help New Moms and Dads
- Best Places to Buy Baby Earrings in 2022: The Best Stores for Quality and Style
Hold your baby:
Sometimes all your baby wants is you! Holding your baby on your shoulder cuts crying and gives constant sound, temperature, and motion that signal comfort. Special slings and carriers allow you to wear your baby while having one or both hands free. Babies like being close to you because they stay warm; they can hear your breathing and heartbeat. Placing your baby naked against your bare chest, also known as skin-to-skin contact, can be very soothing to a crying baby. When your baby cries, you need to learn that you can’t make your baby stop crying, but you can try to comfort and help your baby become calm.
Feed your baby:
Babies find sucking very soothing. If you are breastfeeding, nursing the baby is a great way to offer comfort. It can calm your baby, reduce your baby’s crying, and help them to settle. Pacifiers can also be used to support the baby’s self-soothe.
Give a warm bath and massage:
Undress your baby and massage them gently. Rub your baby’s tummy gently and firmly in a circular clockwise motion. Avoid using any oils or lotions until your baby’s at least a month old. Talk soothingly as you do it and keep the room warm enough. A bath may help your baby calm down. Most babies relax and enjoy a bath. Make sure to run the cold water first, and then add hot water. Always check it isn’t too hot before putting your baby in the water. Never leave your baby alone in the bath, even for a moment.
Swaddling:
Swaddling is an age-old method to calm a crying baby, because it makes them feel like they are in their mother’s womb. It helps keep their arms and legs from flailing and can switch on relaxation. Be careful to wrap the legs loosely so that they are free to move. To swaddle your baby, you’ll need a very soft and thin piece of square cloth. You can quickly learn how to wrap a baby as there are plenty of videos online that will show you how to correctly swaddle your baby. You can buy special swaddling blankets that are designed to make swaddling your baby easier.
Hamilton’s secret trick:
In 2015, American pediatrician Dr. Robert Hamilton went viral with his claim that his technique of holding a baby can stop them from crying in seconds. The hold only works for babies up to three months old. Hamilton demonstrated holding several babies by crossing their arms across the chest, then supporting their chest with his left hand and bottom with his right hand. He supported the baby’s chin by crooking his left thumb and forefinger very gently around it, which you can adapt to just resting on the back of your thumb if your hands are quite small. He then lent each baby forwards to a 45-degree angle and shook their bottom from side to side. If they didn’t stop immediately, he bounced them gently, sometimes in a circular motion or moving the baby from side to side.
White noise:
White noise can soothe crying babies because it is said to recreate the sort of sound babies experienced in the womb and can therefore be extremely comforting. Try quiet vacuuming, turning on a fan, or you can also download white noise apps, as these sounds often send them to sleep. The noise you use should be dull, monotonous, and low in pitch. Don’t make it a habit, and it should only be used if your baby needs to calm down.
Top 3 white noise devices for your baby:
1.) Hatch Baby Rest
2.) Dreamegg Portable White Noise Machine
3.) HoMedics White Noise Sound Machine
Play music or sing a lullaby:
Gentle music can help calm you and your baby. Try different genres and songs, including your favorite ones, to manage your baby. Lullabies are scientifically proven to lull babies to sleep. They stimulate language and cognitive development. Lullabies can strengthen the emotional bond between a parent and child. Music can calm the nervous system, decreasing a baby’s heart and respiratory rate. The amazing thing is that babies are especially soothed by the sound of their mom singing because her voice is familiar, and the rhythm is calming.
Distraction:
Try distracting your baby by playing with his favorite toy or direct them to a colorful rattle. You can also distract your baby from crying by turning on the radio, taking them outside, or doing something they find funny. Playing peek-a-boo may be enough to stop them crying! You can also record your baby’s crying and cheering moment on your phone and let them listen when they don’t stop crying; this is an amazing trick because babies are incredibly interested in the world around them and can sometimes be easily distracted from their crying.
When you purchase through links on this page, we earn a commission. Editorial staff members check our content for factual accuracy. Please refer to our privacy policy for more information.
