10 Simple Ways To Stop Baby Crying

I m a g e : S h u t t e r s t o c k

I n the f i r s t year o f your b a b y ’ s life, his p r i m a r y way o f communicating w i t h you w i l l be v i a crying. I n the b e g i n n i n g , it w i l l be d i f f i c u l t to u n d e r s t a n d why y o u r baby i s crying. I s it a cry b e c a u s e he i s hungry? s l e e p y ? cold? d i r t y ? uneasy?

C r y i n g is d e f i n i t e l y his w a y of e x p r e s s i n g his n e e d s and c a t c h i n g your a t t e n t i o n .

A f t e r the f i r s t couple o f weeks o f birth, y o u will b e able t o pick u p the c u e s on w h a t your b a b y ’ s cry m e a n s . Attending t o your b a b y ’ s cry w i l l only c o m f o r t him a n d he w i l l know t h a t he c a n turn t o you f o r any o f his n e e d s .

W h y Does Y o u r Baby C r y ?

H e r e are s o m e of t h e main r e a s o n s for n e w b o r n baby c r y i n g at n i g h t :

1 . Hunger:

2 . Sleepy:

A n o t h e r common r e a s o n your b a b y cries i s to t e l l you h e is s l e e p y . Unlike a d u l t s , babies c a n ’ t put t h e m s e l v e s to s l e e p and t h e r e f o r e need y o u to p u t them t o sleep.

Y o u r baby m a y also s h o w you a few s i g n s of s l e e p i n e s s before c r y i n g .
L o o k out f o r yawns, r u b b i n g eyes, r u b b i n g ears a n d lack o f interest i n playing.

3 . Dirty D i a p e r :

S o m e babies d o n ’ t enjoy r o l l i n g in t h e i r poop a n d would t h e r e f o r e throw a tantrum c r y i n g when t h e y want t o be c l e a n e d .

C h e c k if y o u r baby n e e d s to b e changed i n t o a f r e s h diaper.
I n case y o u r baby h a s not p o o p e d , but t h e diaper f e e l s heavy w i t h pee i t ’ s time f o r a c h a n g e anyway.

4 . Tummy A c h e :

M o s t babies e x p e r i e n c e a t u m m y ache d u e to c o l i c pain o r gas d u r i n g the f i r s t few w e e k s of life. In s o m e cases, t h i s may e a s i l y extend t i l l the f i f t h month.

C o l i c Pain:

C o l i c pain i s almost m y s t e r i o u s in i t s behavior a n d can l e a v e your b a b y sleepless a n d crying f o r long h o u r s especially a t night o r late e v e n i n g .

Y o u can a l s o regularly m a s s a g e your b a b y ’ s tummy w i t h a l i g h t hand i n circular c l o c k w i s e motions t o ease t h e pain.
I f your b a b y suffers f r o m colic p a i n , discuss i t with y o u r pediatrician. Y o u r pediatrician m a y recommend o r a l drops t o reduce t h e pain f o r your b a b y .

Gas:

O n c e in a while, y o u r baby m a y also h a v e a t u m m y ache d u e to g a s pain.

T o relieve y o u r baby f r o m gas, l a y him o n his b a c k and m o v e his l e g s in a gentle c y c l i n g motion, p u s h i n g his l e g s lightly a g a i n s t his t u m m y as y o u do s o .
I f your b a b y has s t a r t e d solid f o o d , avoid g i v i n g gaseous f o o d for a few d a y s till h i s tummy s e t t l e s .
I n case y o u r baby c o n t i n u e s to h a v e gas, d i s c u s s with y o u r pediatrician.
Y o u r baby c o u l d also h a v e other t u m m y troubles b e s i d e s gas a n d colic p a i n like c o n s t i p a t i o n , reflux, a b d o m i n a l pain o r milk a l l e r g y .

5 . Unable T o Burp:

B a b i e s tend t o swallow a i r when t h e y breastfeed o r bottle f e e d and i f they d o n ’ t burp i t out, t h e y tend t o feel u n c o m f o r t a b l e .

H o l d your b a b y upright a n d rub h i s back a f t e r a f e e d to h e l p burp.
Y o u can a l s o try t o make y o u r baby s i t and r u b his b a c k to h e l p him b u r p .
Y o u can a l s o try t h e s e other m e t h o d s to b u r p by c l i c k i n g h e r e .
I t is m a n d a t o r y that y o u r baby b u r p , as i t will e a s e any d i s c o m f o r t and s h o u l d get h i m to s t o p crying. I t will a l s o prevent b a b y from s p i t t i n g up m i l k .

6 . Too C o l d Or H o t :

T h e general r u l e of t h e thumb w o u l d be t o cover y o u r baby i n just o n e extra l a y e r than y o u r s e l f to k e e p them w a r m and c o m f o r t a b l e .

Y o u may b e swaddling y o u r newborn b a b y . Ensure y o u don’t m a k e him t o o warm w i t h too m u c h extra c o v e r i n g .
I f the w e a t h e r is c o l d where y o u are s t a y i n g , your b a b y may p r o t e s t by c r y i n g during a diaper c h a n g e or w h i l e changing c l o t h e s too. K e e p the r o o m warm a n d also t r y and d i s t r a c t your b a b y with t o y s during d i a p e r changes.
I f your b a b y does n o t like a cold w i p e while c h a n g i n g his d i a p e r , you c o u l d consider b u y i n g a w i p e warmer a v a i l a b l e in t h e market.
T h o u g h babies d o n ’ t tend t o cry w h e n it g e t s too h o t for t h e m , ensure y o u r baby i s not t o o hot o r does n o t break o u t into a sweat.
I n summer m o n t h s , keep t h e clothing l i g h t and c o v e r him w i t h a t h i n blanket w h i l e sleeping. E n s u r e you u s e a b l a n k e t for b a b y only w h i l e you a r e awake a n d can s u p e r v i s e . Do n o t use a blanket a t night, a s it c o u l d lead t o SIDS ( S u d d e n Infant Death Syndrome) d u e to c h o k i n g or s m o t h e r i n g .
I f you a r e switching o n the a i r conditioner, k e e p the t e m p e r a t u r e at 2 5 ° C to 2 6 ° C .

7 . Needs T o Be H e l d :

Y o u r baby w i l l constantly d e m a n d a l o t of h u g g i n g , cuddling a n d physical t o u c h and a l l you n e e d to d o as a parent i s give i n to t h e s e demands.

Y o u r baby w i l l be c o m f o r t e d with y o u r touch, v o i c e and h e a r t b e a t .
H o l d your b a b y close t o your h e a r t , sway w i t h him a n d sing t o him, a l l these w i l l only c o n s o l e your c r y i n g baby.
T h e r e is n o such t h i n g as s p o i l i n g your b a b y by p i c k i n g him u p the m o m e n t he s t a r t s crying. H e is a baby a f t e r all. S o go o n and g i v e your b a b y those i n f i n i t e hugs a n d kisses.

8 . Teething:

S o m e babies e x p e r i e n c e a l o t of p a i n around t h e time t h e first t o o t h has t o sprout.

Y o u r baby m a y cry i n c o n s o l a b l y while g o i n g through t h i s phase t h a t can o c c u r anywhere f r o m 4 m o n t h s to 1 year o f age.
C h e c k for t e e t h i n g by p l a c i n g your h a n d on y o u r baby’s g u m s . If i t feels e x t r e m e l y hard, y o u know y o u r baby’s f i r s t tooth i s about t o pop o u t soon.
A l s o look o u t for c h e w i n g on a l l toys, d r o o l i n g , gum s w e l l i n g , refusing f o o d and l o o s e motions.
P r o v i d e your b a b y with a teething r i n g to c h e w on, w h i c h may r e l i e v e him o f some p a i n .
I f your b a b y has s t a r t e d solids, y o u can a l s o give y o u r baby l i t t l e cold y o g h u r t .
I f the t e e t h i n g pain p e r s i s t s , you c a n check w i t h your p e d i a t r i c i a n for a pain r e l i e f gel t o numb t h e gums.

9 . Needs A Change O f Activity:

B a b i e s are c o n s t a n t l y being e x p o s e d to n e w things i n their life – n e w sounds, l i g h t s , people, o b j e c t s etc. O v e r or u n d e r exposure c a n cause y o u r baby t o cry.

S o m e t i m e s your b a b y may h a v e had t o o much a n d all h e needs i s some q u i e t time.
T a k e your b a b y to a quiet r o o m , with l o w lighting a n d soft m u s i c and h e l p your b a b y calm d o w n .
O n the o t h e r hand, a n exploring b a b y may c o n s t a n t l y want t o be o n the m o v e , look a t new t h i n g s and e x p l o r e new o b j e c t s .
W h i l e this c a n be t a x i n g on y o u as a new p a r e n t , try a n d take y o u r baby o u t for r e g u l a r walks o r activities w i t h other b a b i e s .
A change o f atmosphere w i l l do y o u good t o o .

1 0 . Feeling U n w e l l :

Y o u r baby m a y b e trying t o convey t h r o u g h his c r y that s o m e t h i n g is w r o n g .

C h e c k his b o d y temperature w i t h a t h e r m o m e t e r .
C h e c k the d i a p e r area f o r rashes.
T o u c h his e a r s to s e e if i t bothers h i m , could b e a s i g n of a n ear i n f e c t i o n .
T h i s cry m a y sound a little d i f f e r e n t than t h e other c r i e s , so g o with y o u r motherly i n s t i n c t s and c a l l your p e d i a t r i c i a n if y o u feel t h e need t o .
I f your b a b y still s e e m s to b e crying, d o n ’ t be t o o hard o n yourself, s o m e t i m e s it i s very d i f f i c u l t to r e a l l y tell w h y your b a b y is c r y i n g .
Y o u r baby m a y cry e v e n if h e is g e n e r a l l y bored o r for n o real r e a s o n .
J u s t be t h e r e to c o m f o r t your b a b y and g i v e him t h e warmth h e needs.

1 0 Effective Ways O n How T o Stop B a b y Crying:

W e have p r o v i d e d you 10 s i m p l e ways o n how t o soothe a crying b a b y , here t h e y are:

1 . Swaddle:

S o m e t i m e s , a c o m f o r t a b l e swaddle i s all i t takes.

Y o u r newborn b a b y may n e e d the s n u g and w a r m feeling h e experienced i n the w o m b .
S w a d d l i n g him w h i l e sleeping w i l l make h i m feel t h i s way.

2 . Sway a n d Sing:

H o l d your b a b y in y o u r arms a n d sway a n d sing. T h i s action w i l l comfort y o u r baby a l o n g with h e a r i n g you v o i c e .

D o n ’ t bother i f you’re t h e not t h e best o f singer, y o u r baby d o e s n ’ t really c a r e , for h i m you’re a Singing S t a r .
Y o u can e v e n speak t o him i n a s o f t voice. H e a r i n g your r h y t h m i c voice w i l l help h i m calm d o w n .
A l t e r n a t e l y , you c a n also p l a y some s o o t h i n g , calming m u s i c in l o w volume. E n s u r e you d o n ’ t shake y o u r baby t o o much w h i l e swaying.

3 . Shush I n Ears:

S w a d d l e your b a b y and h o l d in y o u r arms.

N o w shush i n t o your d a r l i n g ’ s ears t o help s t o p crying.
T h e sound o f shush w i l l calm h i m down, g i v i n g the f e e l i n g of s t i l l being i n the w o m b .

4 . Daddy L o v e :

S o m e t i m e s all y o u r baby r e a l l y wants i s some d a d d y love, a n d you m a y be s u r p r i s e d that h e immediately c a l m s down.

D o n ’ t be d i s h e a r t e n e d that y o u were n o t able t o calm y o u r baby d o w n .
A change o f hands i s good f o r both, t h e baby a n d you. T a k e a b r e a k and r e l a x .

5 . Take A Car R i d e :

T h e steady m o v i n g action i n the c a r is v e r y similar t o how b a b y felt i n the w o m b .

A quick c a r ride m a y help c a l m your b a b y down.
E n s u r e you p l a c e your b a b y in a car s e a t and s t r a p him i n before y o u drive o u t .

6 . Strap O n Your B a b y Carrier:

B a b i e s love b e i n g close t o your h e a r t .

I t helps t o soothe y o u r baby l i s t e n i n g to y o u r heartbeat a n d feeling y o u r touch.
I t ’ s what h e heard f o r 9 m o n t h s so i t immediately t e n d s to s o o t h e your b a b y down.

7 . Massage & a m p ; Bath:

T r y giving y o u r baby a nice b o d y and h e a d massage t o calm h i m down.

U s e long s t r o k e s to m a s s a g e your b a b y and h e l p him r e l a x .
U s u a l l y when b a b i e s hit k e y milestones o f learning h o w to s i t , crawl a n d walk, t h e i r muscles t e n d to h u r t .
A massage f o l l o w e d by a nice w a r m water b a t h will h e l p him r e l a x and r e l i e v e his m u s c l e s of a n y ache.
C o m b i n g his h a i r after a bath w i t h a s o f t brush c a n also m a k e him s l e e p y .

8 . Rock H i m In A Baby S w i n g :

I f you h a v e a b a b y swing, t r y putting y o u r baby i n the s w i n g to c a l m him d o w n . The s o f t rocking m o t i o n and l i g h t music m a y soothe h i m and h e could e v e n fall a s l e e p !

9 . Distract:

W h e n your b a b y just c a n ’ t stop c r y i n g , show h i m something n e w to d i s t r a c t him.

I t could b e a n e w toy, a new s o u n d , a p e t or s o m e t h i n g old s h o w n to h i m in a new m a n n e r .
D i s t r a c t i n g him w i l l make h i m forget w h y he w a s crying i n the f i r s t place!

1 0 . Some O t h e r Ways:

S w i t c h on y o u r hair d r y e r – t h e sound o f a h a i r dryer m a y amuse h i m and c a l m him d o w n .

T u r n on t h e vacuum m a c h i n e , the j a r r i n g sound o f the v a c u u m cleaner m a y tend t o calm h i m down.
S t e p outside. S o m e fresh a i r and s o u n d of b i r d s chirping m a y do w o n d e r s for y o u r baby w h e n he i s crying.
C r y i n g is a n integral p a r t of a baby’s life. The g o o d news i s that i t tends t o reduce a f t e r the f i r s t 3 m o n t h s of life. By t h e n you w o u l d have a little i d e a about w h y your b a b y is c r y i n g .

W h i l e there i s no o n e single m e t h o d which w o r k s to s o o t h e your b a b y , over a period o f time y o u will k n o w a c o u p l e of t h e m which w o r k well f o r your b a b y . Once y o u have f i g u r e d that o u t , try a n d stick t o them. C h a n g i n g your m e t h o d every 5 minutes w i l l only g e t your b a b y and y o u more a n x i o u s when i t ’ s not w o r k i n g .

F o r example, i f you a r e shushing y o u r baby’s e a r , do i t continuously f o r at l e a s t 5-7 m i n u t e s , before y o u shift y o u r method t o something n e w .

T h e key i s to s t a y calm. I f you g e t frustrated, y o u r baby w i l l pick u p on y o u r vibes a n d not b e able t o calm d o w n himself. I f you d o tend t o get i m p a t i e n t or h y p e r , ask f o r help t o calm y o u r baby d o w n . Once y o u are c a l m you c a n take o v e r again.

I f nothing s e e m s to b e working, s p e a k to y o u r pediatrician t o detect a n underlying p r o b l e m or i n f e c t i o n .

L e t us k n o w which t e c h n i q u e s worked t o calm y o u r baby d o w n the m o s t .

R e c o m m e n d e d Articles:

T r u p t i brings a fresh p a r e n t i n g perspective w i t h an e c l e c t i c mix o f time t e s t e d traditional p a r e n t i n g methods a n d new m o d e r n outlook t o raising a child. A passionate m o t h e r to a angelic b a b y girl , Trupti i s keen o n sharing h e r research , learning a n d curiosity w i t h mothers w h o are v e n t u r i n g into a motherhood.

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