Soothe a Crying Baby

Soothe a Crying Baby

For a parent, a baby?s cry can induce stress that is exacerbated by not knowing how to solve the problem. A baby begins to exhibit a distinctive personality early in life, establishing unique crying patterns and mannerisms to communicate his or her ne

eds to the world. Crying is indeed a healthy way for babies to communicate their primitive needs, and there is no be all and end all technique to calming a crying baby.

First, crying may signify hunger. Hunger is the most common reason babies cry, particularly very young ones. Newborn babies usually eat approximately every one to three hours, and may convey other hunger cues such as sucking on hands or objects. A parent who is in tune with a baby?s communication style and feeding schedule can anticipate hunger and reduce the pressure imposed by a hungry but helpless crying baby.

The need for a diaper change is another reason a baby may cry, and individual babies develop their own approach to dealing with a soiled diaper. While some babies would not mind a full diaper all day, others will not tolerate even a bit of wetness. If your baby cries and you know hunger is not the trigger, check the diaper and replace it if necessary.

Soothing a crying b

aby is not always as clear-cut as feeding or changing a diaper. If your baby is crying despite having been fed and changed recently, he or she may be asking for comfort and security. Babies have to acclimate to living in the outside world, and most babies are calmed by the feelings of warmth and closeness they experienced in the womb. Wrapping your baby in a blanket may be enough to simulate the comfort and warmth of the womb, reassure the baby and help crying subside. But again, babies have different needs, and yours may need to be held close and feel the warmth of your body to regain security. Younger babies particularly need close, physical reassurance, having not yet learned to be comforted by a parent?s voice or facial expression. Holding a baby while rocking or walking around can help the baby relax and focus on the soothing movement and new surroundings.

Babies may also cry from the anxiety of being over stimulated, which can happen when a baby is surrounded by noise, visual stimulants and commotion in general. The arrival of a new baby tends to attract many visitors, and the fuss may just be the trigger of the baby?s crying. If you sense that your baby may be overwhelmed by too many stimulants, embracing the baby and moving to a darker, more peaceful room may do the trick. Humming, singing or providing other calm, rhythmic sounds or movements can also help the baby relax.

Dealing with a crying baby can be frustrating for everyone when a parent is having difficulty calming the baby down. Over time, parents tend to adjust to a baby?s distinguishable tones and mannerisms, and become better able to understand their meanings. As babies get older and parents come to anticipate and fulfill their routine needs, the frequency of crying tends to naturally decrease.
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About the Author: Jon Flatt is the CEO of Red McCombs Media, a leading provider of diaper delivery service. For more information, please visit www.hugsdiapers.net

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