Taking care of a baby is a tough job, and the baby may cry more than you expected. You should always respond when the crying starts. But sometimes, no matter what you try, you might not be able to stop it.
Babies cry because they are hungry, tired, frustrated, or uncomfortable. Sometimes the crying can be easily satisfied with food or a diaper change, but often that is not enough. Always respond to your baby’s crying. You can’t spoil them by picking them up when they cry. Holding them is calming and comforting when the baby can’t express themselves in other ways.
How to Calm a Crying Baby?
First, check their physical needs:
- Is the baby hungry or thirsty?
- Does the baby need to burp?
- Is the baby too hot or too cold?
- Is the baby’s diaper dirty?
- Is the baby sleepy?
Once you have ruled out these possibilities, check for signs of illness or fever. If you think the baby is sick, seek medical help immediately.
If your baby is not experiencing any physical discomfort, try these tips to calm them:
- Rock the baby, hold them close, or walk with them.
- 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 in a soft blanket.
- Take the baby for a ride in a stroller or car seat in the car.
- Turn on music, a vacuum cleaner, or a dryer.
Try each of the above for a few minutes before moving on to something else or try several together. If nothing works, it’s okay to leave the baby in the crib or car seat and take some time to calm yourself. Both you and the baby need it.
Remember:
- All babies cry – it’s their way of communicating, and your baby may cry a lot.
- Babies start to cry more often around the second week of age.
- Crying increases and peaks in the second month of life but can intensify until the baby is 4-5 months old.
- Babies often cry more in the evening.
- Crying can last 30-40 minutes, or even longer. Infants can cry up to 4-5 hours a day.
- Babies often cry intensely when they are not in pain, even though it looks like they are.
- Sometimes, your baby may need to cry to release stress, and it’s okay to let them cry.
- Crying may come and go, and you won’t always know why.
Crying will eventually stop.
