Crying
There are times when every parent will be faced with a sobbing baby,
and unfortunately there is no sure cure. But don't lose hope though,
as there are a number of things a parent may like to try, in an
attempt to soothe their screaming youngster - some may only work at
certain times, or some may not work at all, but they are all worth
giving a try.
Preventative measures:Babies cry for a number of reasons,
and one of them being - fear of being left unattended. Carrying your
baby around with you, either in your arms or a baby sling will offer
your baby the physical closeness that was present while still in the
womb.
Prompt response:
It is by far easier to calm a niggly baby, than it is to calm one
that has been screaming and has obviously become upset and
frustrated. This is not to say that you have to immediately attend
to your baby's every grumble, but try not let her feel that her
needs are not being met, from a mother that leaves her to scream
until blue in the face. Ignore the old fashioned advice that says
you will be spoiling your baby by instant response - Babies do not
understand why they can't constantly have their needs met, so there
is absolutely nothing to suggest that an infant can be spoilt
through this.
Routine:
While buzy trying to assess why your baby is crying, take into
account any changes that may have occurred in his routine that day.
Babies rely solely on their caregivers to establish a ritual in
their everyday lives, and should this be upset by even a change in
bathing time, it could throw matters totally off-balance. Try and
find a schedule that suits you and your baby and stick to it as much
as possible.
Sucking comfort:
Many mothers, when presented with a crying baby, immediately turn
to feeding. This will upset the routine completely, when overfed,
and all she was actually in need of was the comfort of sucking. If
you are against the use of a dummy, help guide your baby's fist to
her mouth.
Change in location:
Taking a stroll outdoors, a ride in the car or even moving to a
different room, may all help lift your baby's apparent sadness,
through distracting him with a change of scenery. This may also work
well, by enlisting the help of a second person, who may just pass on
a calmness - which you definitely won't possess at this stage.
Excessive stimulation:
As with all new additions to a family, there is always a house
full of people. Try and keep excitement to a minimum, with relatives
just looking rather than touching. Some babies may quite enjoy all
the fuss and attention, while others may find the stimulation
unbearable, especially while nearing bedtime.
Diet assessment:
Your baby may just be crying from hunger, and that he is not
receiving enough nourishment. Consult the clinic sister on your next
visit. Occasionally babies develop an allergy or intolerance to the
milk they are being fed, causing extreme discomfort. But crying
alone, is a very unlikely symptom of an allergy or intolerance.
Wind:
During a feed, it is likely that your baby will swallow air, and
when this gets trapped, it causes abdominal cramping. Burp your baby
often while feeding, to prevent an excessive accumulation of air,
which will be difficult to expel.
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