Regardless of how much crying your baby does, it can wear on your nerves, especially when you are tired. Below are some tips on what you can do when your baby is crying.
- Try your best to keep calm. If you are able to keep calm while your baby is crying, you will be better able to read your baby’s signals. Try to maintain your composure and speak to your baby in a soft, soothing voice when they cry.
- Realize the power of touch. When babies are distressed, they often need human touch in order to relax and calm down. Touching your baby helps to reduce their stress level and teaches them that they are safe. When they feel safe, they will be better able to calm down and relax. Try carrying your baby more, as this can reduce normal bouts of crying. Consider using a baby carrier or sling so that you can go about your routines as your newborn snuggles close to you.
- Follow your baby’s schedule. For example, if your baby has a specific time each evening when the crying and fussiness peaks, try not to schedule activities at that particular time. Consider having your evening meal at an earlier time.
- Crying can be very stressful for parents. If you feel tired or upset, ask someone else to take care of your baby for a bit. If you cannot find someone to help, leave your baby in a safe place, like a crib, in another room for a while to get a break. It is OK to let our baby cry for a little while. What matters is that most of the time, when your baby cries, you try to comfort them.
- Get some sleep. Try to grab a nap when your baby sleeps during the day, especially if your baby fusses and cries at night. It is more difficult to soothe your baby if you are not rested yourself.
- Weather permitting, take your baby outdoors for a walk in a carriage or stroller, or for a drive in the car.
Undoubtedly, you will receive a lecture or two from older, well-meaning relatives who think you are spoiling your baby by responding to their every cry or have a foolproof method that is supposed to work for all crying babies. Rest assured that you cannot spoil a newborn baby, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to crying babies. When you respond quickly to your newborn baby’s cries, you are teaching them to feel secure, safe in the knowledge that you are there to take care of them. When you pick up your newborn baby to console them, be proud that you followed your parental instincts, and do not fall victim to the opinions of others who do not know what your baby really needs.