by Christy Laverty

There is nothing more mysterious to a new parent than their babies cry. Are they hungry? Are they tired? Do they need to be changed? Do they want to be cuddled? It is all about unlocking the mystery and it can take a bit of time to learn the sounds of you new bundle of joy.

Holly Klassen knows all about trying to soothe a crying baby. “Literally from the moment he was born, he cried and screamed constantly,” says Klassen. “My husband and I were exhausted, both physically and emotionally.”

Firstly it is important to recognize why your baby is crying or is discontented. Here are just a few of the possibilities.

1. Hunger: If it’s been three or four hours since the last feeding or he has a very full diaper, food may be the answer.

2. Tiredness: Decreased activity, losing interest in toys or people, and of course, yawning, are all signs that maybe a nap is in order.

3. Over-stimulation: It is important to remember that babies can be quickly overwhelmed by sounds, sights and activity.

4. Discomfort: Babies can get cranky if they are too wet, too cold or hot.

5. Illness: A weak, moaning cry may indicate your baby isn’t feeling well. If your baby seems ill, or you are concerned about his health, call your healthcare provider.

6. Frustration: Your baby is just learning how to control his hands, arms and feet. Sometimes he can get frustrated by the lack of control.

But remember it’s not a science and remember as the weeks go by you will start to recognize your baby’s different cries.

If your baby cries inconsolably for long periods every day, he may have ‘colic.’ Babies with colic will cry for several hours a day, often in the evenings. No one knows what causes colic and it usually lasts up to about four months of age.

A crying baby can often be a sleepless baby. It is can be difficult to find a routine when you little one is inconsolable. There is not doubt of how important sleep is, it is essential for everyone’s health, physical development, emotional well-being, and cognitive growth. Dr. Pizzo, a baby sleep coach, says before the age of four months, a baby does not have the cognitive ability to soothe itself to sleep. Babies need to be taught how to fall asleep.” Therefore, a parent should do whatever it takes to get their babies to sleep.

After the age of four months, babies should be taught to soothe themselves to sleep, recommends Dr. Pizzo. It is important to remember infant and toddler sleep problems do have an effect on parental mood, marital satisfaction, and parental stress level ( as many of us who have struggled with crying babies who a lot)

7 Soothing Solutions:

1. Feed/breastfeed your baby: Feeding your baby in a close and loving way, or nursing your baby is as much for comfort as it is for food.

2. Check the ‘necessaries’: Is her diaper wet? Is he too hot or too cold? Is he comfortable or in an awkward position? It is important to check some of the obvious, easy to fix problems.

3. Hold your baby: No matter the reason for the cry, being held by a warm and comforting person offers a sense of security and can calm a crying baby.

4. Swaddle your baby: During the first three or four months, babies feel comforted if you can re-create a tightly contained sensation.

5. Get your crying baby moving: Babies enjoy repetitive, rhythmic motion like rocking, swinging or swaying.

6. Use white noise: The womb was a very noisy place. White noise is continuous and uniform, like a heartbeat, rain or your vacuum.

7. Sleep Baby Sleep: “Newborns sleep an average of 14 to 18 hours a day. By the age of six months, a baby requires 11 hours of uninterrupted sleep at night and approximately three-and-a-half hours during the day.” says Dr. Pizzo.

“The worry and stress of having a baby that cries all the time and won’t sleep is physically and emotionally draining and isolating,” says Klassen. She and her husband created a website as a resource and guide for parents struggling with fussy babies, TheFussyBabySite. Many people define successful parenting as having a happy baby. When babies cry and are fussy, parents may feel their definition of themselves as good parents is being challenged. Remember, just because your baby cries, you are not a bad parent.

 

Christy Laverty is a mother and an editor for a Toronto all news radio station. She also does freelance writing for several parenting magazines. Visit Christy’s blog where she updates the trials, tribulations, and fun of being mom of two beautiful girls.