A newborn baby is a great joy to welcome into the home. New parents are likely to be brimming over with excitement, anticipation and a little bit of fear. It’s no secret that parenting is a hard job, and the first few weeks and months are potentially the hardest. It becomes even more frustrating when you find it impossible to soothe your crying infant. So what do you do?
Find the source
This is pretty obvious, and likely to be something you will do instinctively. There could be a whole host of reasons as to why your baby is crying. It could be something as easily solvable as they need their nappy changing, or they’re hungry. Or it could be something harder to identify – maybe they’re too hot, too cold, or they could just want a cuddle.
Figure out a routine
For some scenarios, it can be easy to slip into a routine and this is something that your baby will find comforting. Rocking your baby, stroking their back or giving them a massage are all therapeutic methods to soothe your crying infant.
Don’t panic
Whatever you do, don’t panic. It might seem easier said than done, and particularly difficult if your baby has been crying non-stop for hours, but there will be a solution and in order to find it, you need to be thinking clearly.
Top tips to sooth your crying infant
- Allowing your baby to suckle could be a great way to soothe your crying infant. Or even provide them with a dummy. The sucking motion can often calm them.
- If you find your baby wont’ feed, but won’t stop crying, maybe you need to try a different feeding position. Improving how your baby latches could help them to fuss less whilst breastfeeding.
- For some babies, they simple crave the close physical contact of a parent. Give them a cuddle, put them in a sling or simply hold them. If this isn’t the answer then try gently rocking them in a rhythmic motion.
- Check your baby’s temperature. Adjusting their clothes could be the ideal way to soothe a crying baby and it could be their way of telling you that something is wrong.
- A massage or a tummy rub could help to stop your baby from fussing, but don’t do this whilst they’re crying because that means they’re telling you to stop. Instead try offering a massage or tummy rub whilst they’re awake and relaxed to help them fuss less.
- When it comes to soothing your crying infant, sometimes nothing will work. If you’re baby is crying, they’re trying to tell you something and perhaps they simply don’t feel well. This can be hard to determine so it’s important to stay alert to any changes in their behaviour.
For those who feel like they’re struggling to soothe their baby, it’s important that you don’t feel overwhelmed. Ask for support from your partner or visit the doctor for advice.
Resources:
http://www.babycentre.co.uk/a536698/seven-reasons-babies-cry-and-how-to-soothe-them
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pages/soothing-crying-baby.aspx
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