WHAT SHOULD PARENT DO WHEN BABY CRYING?
Wrap your baby up and hold the baby close
Newborns like to feel as warm and secure as they did in the womb, so try swaddling
your baby in a blanket, wearing her, or holding the baby against your shoulder.
But be aware that some babies find swaddling or cuddling too constrictive and
respond better to other forms of comfort such as rhythmic movement or sucking
a pacifier.
Letthe baby hear the rhythm
Babies are used to the sound of your heartbeat; that's another reason they love
to be held close. You can also try playing soft music, singing a lullaby, or
even putting her close to the rhythm of an electric fan or the white noise of
a vacuum cleaner.
Put baby in motion
Sometimes just the motion of carrying your baby will be enough to calm the baby.
Other times, it may help to rock the baby gently in a rocking chair or swing,
set in the baby bouncy seat, or place the baby car seat on top of the dryer
while it's on (the dryer's vibrations can cause her/him seat to move enough
to fall off, so make sure you stay by the baby side while you do this!). You
could also push the baby around outside stroller or take the baby for a ride
in the car.
Massage your baby
Most babies love to be touched, so a massage might be just the thing to soothe
your baby. Don't worry about not knowing the perfect movements — as long
as they're gentle and slow, they should bring comfort. Also, try rubbing your
baby's back or belly. This will help if baby having gas pains — which
may be the problem with some colicky babies.
Let the baby suck on something
Even when baby not hungry, sucking can steady an infant's heart rate, relax
baby stomach, and calm baby flailing limbs. Give a pacifier or a finger to clamp
onto and let go to town.
Take care of yourself
No baby ever cried herself/himself to death, but a crying baby can be very stressful
for new parents. You're chronically sleep-deprived and may already be unsure
about how to care for this baby. Mom's emotions are all over the place due to
the hormonal changes she's going through. Dad may not be sure what role he should
play in caring for the newborn or whether he'll ever get Mom's attention again.
Add a crying baby to this scenario and many parents can become overwhelmed with
feelings of incompetence.
If you know your baby's needs have been met and you've tried to calm baby but
she's still crying, it's time to take care of yourself so you don't get too
exasperated:
• Put your baby down in a safe place and let her cry for a while.
• Call a friend or relative and ask for advice.
• Give yourself a break and let someone else take over.
• Put on quiet music to distract yourself.
• Take deep breaths.
• Remind yourself that nothing is wrong with your baby and crying won't
hurt her — she may just need the release.
• Repeat to yourself, "She will outgrow this phase."
• Whatever you do, don't take your frustration out on your baby by shaking
her.
Fortunately, babies (and their parents) are resilient and somehow manage to
get through even the most difficult crying episodes. Take heart that by the
time your baby is 8 to 12 weeks old, she'll be better able to soothe herself
and much of the crying will stop. (by babycenter.com - BABY.TopResource.NET
Reference)
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