6 Ways to Tame Tears
All Babies Cry
Crying is the only way babies can tell you if they’re hungry, chilly, sleepy, wet, bored, bothered, or gassy. So although it’s upsetting to hear (especially when you’re sleep-deprived), crying doesn’t always mean big trouble.
If you tally it up, a newborn spend several hours a day bawling; one estimate is two hours a day at 2 weeks, peaking at three hours a day by 6 weeks. “If you can identify the reason for the cry, that’s the first step,” says Elizabeth Pantley, coauthor of Gentle Baby Care (McGraw-Hill). “If you can’t — and there will be plenty of times you won’t be able to — try some standards that are reassuring no matter what the problem.” These smart soothers should help restore the peace.
All Babies Cry
Crying is the only way babies can tell you if they’re hungry, chilly, sleepy, wet, bored, bothered, or gassy. So although it’s upsetting to hear (especially when you’re sleep-deprived), crying doesn’t always mean big trouble.
If you tally it up, a newborn spend several hours a day bawling; one estimate is two hours a day at 2 weeks, peaking at three hours a day by 6 weeks. “If you can identify the reason for the cry, that’s the first step,” says Elizabeth Pantley, coauthor of Gentle Baby Care (McGraw-Hill). “If you can’t — and there will be plenty of times you won’t be able to — try some standards that are reassuring no matter what the problem.” These smart soothers should help restore the peace.
Recreate the Womb
Why it works: For nine months, your baby lay snugly in your uterus, surrounded by comforting echoes of the beat of your pulse, the shushing of your breath, and the muted noises of the outside world.
Soothing strategies: Swaddling, side lying, and shushing recreate conditions in the womb and can help curtail crying, according to Harvey Karp, MD, author of The Happiest Baby on the Block. Swaddling is wrapping your baby tightly in a blanket, which makes him feel as cozy as he was in your belly. “I’ll swaddle my daughter snugly and hold her while swaying,” says Susie Frades, of Arroyo Grande, California, mom to Emma, 3 months. “It works like a charm.”
Laying baby on his side or stomach when he’s awake, whether in your arms or on your lap, is similar to how he lounged in utero. “Shushing” loudly (don’t be afraid to be noisy) mimics the whooshing of your blood that baby heard in the womb. It’s also why many babies are quieted by the hum of a blow-dryer, vacuum, or white noise machines.
Provide a Change of Scenery
Why it works: Your baby’s job is to learn about the world, so a good dose of wonder — from a trip around the backyard, a splash of water, a gust of cold air from the refrigerator — can stop a crying jag cold. “It’s called a paradoxical effect: Babies are able to use stimulation from the outside world to calm themselves,” explains Lester. “That’s why we sometimes suggest taking a colicky baby to the mall. When you walk them around in the stroller, they’re fascinated by what they see, and it keeps them quiet. In fact, it often puts them to sleep.”
However, there’s a flip side. Too much going on will also drive a baby crazy and lead to tears. “We pediatricians tend to get a lot of calls on Sunday nights about fussy babies,” says Tanya Remer Altmann, MD, who wrote Mommy Calls. “I think it’s because Sunday is typically the day that relatives come over to visit. Crying may be your baby’s way to blow off steam.”
Soothing strategies: Nothing chills out 4-month-old Preston Taylor like exploring the natural world. “We walk outside and let him look at things in our yard, like the flag, the trees, or our two dogs,” says his mom, Sandy, of Ashland City, Tennessee. “Being outside calms him every time.” Indoors, expose your little one to a new sensation, such as a warm washcloth, a blast of air from a fan, or a swipe of your silky pj’s, to quiet him down.
If your baby is overstimulated, give him a break. Take him away from the noise of a TV or a crowded room.