How to calm a crying baby
Check physical needs first:
- Is the baby hungry or thirsty?
- Does he/she need to be burped?
- Is it too hot or cold?
- Is their diaper dirty?
Once you’ve made sure they are comfortable for all of the above, check for signs of illness or fever. If you think How to Calm a Crying Newborn in Five Steps the baby may be sick, seek medical attention immediately. If you do not have a primary care provider or they are How to Calm a Crying Newborn in Five Steps unavailable, call our ParentSmart Healthline to speak with pediatric registered nurses 24/7. They are available at 720-777-0123.
Read More: How To Keep Your Toddler In Their Bed The Whole Night
The Fussy Baby team is also How to Calm a Crying Newborn in Five Steps available to talk by phone via our “Warmline” to listen How to Calm a Crying Newborn in Five Steps and provide support and resources. Call the Fussy Baby Network at 1-877-627-9227 (877-6-CRYCARE).
If your baby is healthy
If your baby isn’t experiencing any How to Calm a Crying Newborn in Five Steps physical needs, try one of these tips to calm How to Calm a Crying Newborn in Five Steps your crying baby:
- Rock the baby, hold the baby close or walk with the baby.
- Stand up, hold the baby close and repeatedly bend 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, such as 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 works, it is okay to leave How to Calm a Crying Newborn in Five Steps the baby in a safe place like a crib or infant seat and take time to calm yourself down. Leave the room. Shut the door. Take a few deep breaths. Call How to Calm a Crying Newborn in Five Steps a friend or family member.
Crying can be frustrating
Caring for a baby is hard work and that How to Calm a Crying Newborn in Five Steps little baby may cry more than you ever expected. You should always respond when your baby cries. But sometimes, no matter what you try, you How to Calm a Crying Newborn in Five Steps might not be able to stop the crying. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and your baby won’t stop crying, remember:
- All babies cry — it’s how they communicate, and your baby may cry a lot.
- Babies start to cry more frequently around 2 weeks of age.
- Crying increases and peaks in the second month of life, but can increase until your baby is 4-5 months old.
- Babies often cry more in the evenings.
- Crying can last 30-40 minutes and even longer. Infants may spend up to 4-5 hours a day crying, even for healthy, normal babies.
- 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 or her cry.
- Crying may come and go, and you won’t know why.
- Crying may not stop for an extended period of time, no matter what you try.
- The crying will eventually stop.
It is normal for a baby to cry and it is normal to feel frustrated when he or she won’t stop. Sometimes, in that moment, you might feel like you are going to lose control. In that moment, do not shake the baby. As a parent How to Calm a Crying Newborn in Five Steps or caregiver, you are human. You have limited energy, patience and tolerance.
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed, helpless and even angered by the constant demands of a baby. No matter how bad it gets or how tired and frustrated you feel, How to Calm a Crying Newborn in Five Steps shaking the baby, putting the baby down How to Calm a Crying Newborn in Five Steps roughly or throwing the baby is never the answer. Instead, calm yourself and calm your baby.
Why babies cry so much
Crying is how babies How to Calm a Crying Newborn in Five Steps communicate. While it can be challenging to distinguish between the types of cries of a newborn baby, as babies How to Calm a Crying Newborn in Five Steps get older, parents can sometimes differentiate an “I’m hungry” cry from an “I’m tired” cry.
Babies cry because they are:
- Hungry
- Uncomfortable
- Frustrated
- Tired
- Lonely
Sometimes, cries can easily be satisfied with food or a diaper change. Always respond to your baby’s cries. You cannot How to Calm a Crying Newborn in Five Steps”spoil” babies by picking them up when they cry. Being How to Calm a Crying Newborn in Five Steps held is reassuring and comforting when a baby cannot express herself any other way.
Although babies cry to communicate, this crying can continue for a long time for no apparent reason. Crying can be a mystery How to Calm a Crying Newborn in Five Steps and it can stop as quickly as it began. Your baby is not mad at you, nor is your How to Calm a Crying Newborn in Five Steps baby trying to make you look like a bad parent.
Why We Need the 5 S’s: Crying takes a toll on babies and parents
Typically, babies get increasingly irritable How to Calm a Crying Newborn in Five Steps around sundown and that can continue for hours. (Hello, witching hours!) No wonder parents get concerned, frustrated, and very, very How to Calm a Crying Newborn in Five Steps tired.
Exhaustion triggered by persistent crying creates a huge stress in families. It chips away at your health, it shortens your fuse, slows your thinking, creates distance between you and your partner…and increases risk of postpartum depression in both parents. It also puts babies in danger when a wiped-out parent falls asleep with a baby in their arms, on an unsafe couch or a bed, which increases a baby’s risk for SIDS How to Calm a Crying Newborn in Five Steps and infant suffocation.
Where the 5 S’s Come From: My ‘Aha!’ Moment on Calming Babies
Years ago, when I was working on the child abuse team at UCLA, I saw so many babies come in who were severely injured—even killed—for the simple offense of crying. At the time, I was deeply curious about what medical doctors How to Calm a Crying Newborn in Five Steps had not been able to figure out—the cause of colic (severe persistent crying seen among babies 1 to 4 months of age).
I began reading everything I could about this centuries-old medical puzzle. Then in 1981 I learned about the !Kung San of the Kalahari Desert, whose mothers usually calm their fussy babies in under a minute! Their secret? The !Kung mothers hold their infants almost 24 hours a day, constantly feeding, rocking, and jiggling them. In essence, they mimic the womb experience for months. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that we could be as successful as !Kung parents. We just had to adopt two new ideas:
- All babies are born three months early. Thanks to evolutionary changes, human babies are born about three months before they’re technically “ready.” In fact, they had to be born three months early because a baby’s developing brain and skull have gotten so big by the end of the third trimester that they can barely safely fit through the birth canal! Think about it: Newborn horses can run within an hour of birth…but our mushy little babies are completely helpless! A virtual fourth trimester, complete with womb sensations (soft touch, jiggly motion, snug holding, etc.) may be just what babies need to feel safe and calm.
- Babies have an innate calming reflex. I discovered that the rhythms babies experience inside the womb—the jiggling and the constant hum of noise, for example—trigger a reflex that keeps babies relaxed. This calming reflex is a neurological response that develops deep in a baby’s brain months before they’re born that’s basically nature’s “off switch” for fussing and “on switch” for sleep.
While I may have been the first to put these ideas together in my bestselling book The Happiest Baby on the Block, the truth is, parents everywhere have long turned to similar womb-mimicking tricks to soothe their babies. Whether parents realized it or not, going for car rides and turning on the vacuum cleaner to calm babies copycats the womb and triggers the calming reflex.
The Basics of the 5 S’s Method for Soothing Babies
Parents around the world have invented all kinds of variations on the calming womb-like sensations that I’ve dubbed the 5 S’s: Swaddle, Side-Stomach Position, Shush, Swing, and Suck. Here’s what each of the 5 S’s are, what they do, and how to use them to calm and comfort your little one.
Conclusion
Calming a crying newborn can be challenging, but understanding their needs and using effective soothing techniques can make a significant difference. By following the five steps—checking for basic needs, swaddling, using white noise, gentle rocking, and offering a pacifier—you can help your baby feel more secure and comfortable. Remember, every baby is different, so it may take some time to find what works best for your little one. Stay patient and compassionate, and don’t hesitate to seek support if you need it. Your calm and loving presence is the most comforting thing for your newborn.
Read More: How to Calm a Crying Newborn in Five Steps
FAQs:
Q: Why is my newborn crying so much?
Newborns cry to communicate their needs, such as hunger, discomfort, tiredness, or the need for a diaper change.
Q: What are the five steps to calm a crying newborn?
The five steps include: checking for basic needs, swaddling, using white noise, gentle rocking, and offering a pacifier.
Q: How can I tell if my newborn is hungry?
Signs of hunger include rooting (turning head towards the breast), sucking on hands, and making sucking noises.
Q: What is swaddling and how does it help?
Swaddling involves wrapping your baby snugly in a blanket to provide comfort and security, mimicking the womb environment.
Q: How does white noise help soothe a newborn?
White noise mimics the sounds of the womb, helping to calm and soothe a crying baby by providing a consistent, gentle sound.
Q: What are some safe rocking techniques?
Gentle rocking in your arms, using a rocking chair, or a baby swing can help soothe your newborn. Always ensure the baby is securely supported.
Q: When should I offer a pacifier to my newborn?
A pacifier can be offered if your baby is not hungry and has been fed recently. It can help satisfy their natural sucking reflex.
Q: What if my newborn continues to cry despite trying these steps?
If your baby continues to cry, it might be helpful to check for signs of illness or discomfort and consult your pediatrician if needed.
Q: Can holding my newborn too much spoil them?
No, holding and comforting your newborn helps them feel secure and loved. It’s important for their emotional development.
Q: How can I stay calm when my newborn is crying?
Take deep breaths, remind yourself that crying is normal, and if needed, ask for help from a partner or family member to take a short break.
