- Hold the baby close
- Walk with the baby
- Stand up, hold the baby close, and repeatedly bend at 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 like 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 seems to work, it is OK to leave the baby in a safe place (like a crib or infant seat) and take time to calm down. Leave the room. Shut the door. Take a few deep breaths. Call a friend or family member.
- Why does my baby cry so much?
- The first cries of a newborn baby are often music to parents' ears. However, as the weeks pass, this "music" can become grating and difficult to deal with. This is especially true when all attempts to stop the crying fails.
All babies cry a lot during the first few months of life. Crying is the way babies communicate. It can be challenging to distinguish newborn crying. However, as babies get older, parents can sometimes differentiate an "I'm hungry" cry from an "I've been over-stimulated" cry. Babies cry because they are hungry, uncomfortable, frustrated, tired or even lonely. Sometimes, cries can easily be answered with food or a diaper change.
It is important to respond to your baby's cries. Contrary to "old wives' tales," young babies cannot be spoiled by being picked up when they cry. Being held is reassuring and comforting when a baby cannot express herself any other way.
