If your baby is crying, first check to see if a diaper change is in order. If it isn’t, check to be sure the diaper isn’t too tight or the tape is sticking uncomfortably onto your baby’s skin. Then try to feed and burp your little one. If your baby is still crying, hold him close to you, rock her or walk. Some babies settle down with skin to skin contact. Open your shirt and bra and take off your baby’s top. Place a blanket over your baby for warmth and hum. If your baby is still crying, put him or her in the crib and walk away for a few minutes. It just may be naptime!
Some parents have been known to put their baby in the car seat and take a few runs around the block. The motion of the car can put your baby asleep like nothing else. Some may argue that this keeps the baby from learning to fall asleep in the crib. But if this trick keeps you from losing your cool, it is perfectly fine to do.
If your baby just cannot be consoled, call your pediatrician. Babies who cry for hours can have food allergies or intolerances, gastroesophogeal reflux or more. Your baby could also have an ear infection. Any time a baby cries for extended periods of time, a doctor needs to be notified.
Every mother or father would like to remain cool as a cucumber, but this is not realistic when you are a new parent and sleep deprived. Crying can stress anyone, even when they have plenty of sleep under their belts! So if you start to become frustrated at your baby, first of all, remember this is completely normal. But this is the time when you need to pass your baby to someone else and walk away.
If no one can hold your baby, put the baby in a crib and leave the room. Every parent has had a moment (or fifty!) where they begin to lose a bit of control and need their own time out. Any time you recognize your feelings, take control immediately by asking for help or putting your baby in the crib. Never, ever shake your baby. Even the slightest shake of the head can cause serious and irreversible brain damage, if not death.
