How to How a dad can CHILL when baby is crying

Sometimes you just can't stop the baby from crying, and for many new dad's the persistant high pitched brain rattling cry can just about put you over the edge! Don't worry, as time goes by you will get more used to it... but for now, some ideas on how to CHILL OUT!

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Patience

1. WHY CRY? Baby is almost always crying for some particular reason. So before the cry drives you to insanity, try to remain rational and figure out what's wrong. Usually its one of the following: he's wet, poopy, hungry, or really tired! But if you've been through all these basics and everything checks out, you just gotta give baby some comfort and figure out how to CHILL through the screaming.
2. SOFTEN THE PITCH - here's my favorite solution to dealing with an implacable baby - wear earplugs! Or even better, put on your woodshop noise killing headphones. As you are probably holding baby while he's crying, his little screaming mouth is about 2"-3" from your ear. Sometimes that's just too close! Heavy duty ear protection takes the edge off baby's sound so you can keep giving the love without going haywire.
3. FEED HIM ANYWAY - even if mom just fed baby 10 mintues ago, you might get him to pipe down by plugging a bottle in his mouth if he's willing to take it. He's probably not willing.. but if he is then you might get him to suck the bottle and stop crying for at least 1-2 minutes which could be enough to get baby to chill down.
4. ROCKING - Rocking baby in your arms will help preoccupy baby with the motion and may take his mind away from whatever is making him cry. Similar distractions, like swings, are also good.
5. GO FOR A WALK - Sticking baby in the stroller and going for a walk is often a great way to calm baby down. All the sights and activity on the street will distract his attention and soon he either be quiet or even asleep!
6. AT THE LIMITS - If nothing is working and you are about to go completely nutty, give yourself a litte break. You need and deserve it. Take baby over to his crib, lay him down gently, put a blanket on him, and walk out shutting the door behind you. For the next 5 mintues while baby is crying, go somewhere you can't hear him very well (but can still hear him a little :) ) and give yourself some down time. Have a soda, watch some TV, play a game, call a friend, organize your sock drawer. Just do something but don't sit there and listen to baby. After a little chilling you might find your batteries sufficiently recharged to return to baby with some big arms and new ideas and enthusiams about comforting him!