How to Get a Baby to Stop Crying

A crying baby is a parent's worst nightmare. It's frustrating to feel powerless with a screaming kid, but there are steps you can take to alleviate the tears.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• A crying baby
• Patience
• Awareness of what your baby is trying to tell you.

1. Oops! My diaper is wet. Yuck! Check the diaper! See if it's wet or dirty. This should be your first check, especially with a newborn. Their stomachs don't hold a lot and neither do their bladders, so diaper changes are pretty frequent. Sometimes a diaper change will do the trick.
2. Feed me. Try to feed her. Newborns have tiny stomachs and often need to be feed at least every two hours. As a child gets bigger, the schedule will also change. Some parents stick to a schedule, others feed on demand. If your baby is really hungry or in the middle of a growth spurt, you may need to adjust the feeding schedule.
3. Sometimes a baby needs a good burp. Check for gas. You've fed her and gave her a clean diaper, but she's still losing it. There a couple of ways you can burp your baby. One way is to lay her down and bring her knees to her chest, which puts pressure on the belly and forces the gas either up or out. Another way is the football hold, where you lay baby face down on your forearm and rub her back. If nothing else works, keep her moving and bending over so the gas bubble works itself out.
4. Naptime! Your baby needs a nap. Babies need at least 12 hours of sleep, as well as a few naps during the day. If your baby is cranky and has had a lot of stimulation, she may need some quiet time to calm herself. The more stimulation is created, the more difficult it is for a baby to sleep soundly. It becomes a cycle of trying to tire your baby out only to have her cry even more. Give her a dark quiet room, and she'll settle down.
5. When teething hurts, offer a frozen a pacifer. Teething involves a lot of drooling, diarrhea and a bit of pain. It also disrupts a baby's sleeping patterns in the process. When your baby is crying try to give her a frozen teething ring, which will numb her gums and give her temporary relief. Another option includes a cold wet washcloth where she can chew on the fabric and suck on the water. Also make sure she is not dehydrated from the diarrhea and give her some watered down Pedialyte, if necessary. When it's time to put your baby down for a nap, give her some Children's Tylenol which will help ease her pain and allow her to get some sleep.
6. If your baby is acting out of sorts, there might be an underlying problem. If your child is in childcare during the day, she will likely get more colds than a baby that doesn't have as much contact during the day. Keep an eye out for cold symptoms, fevers, or unusual behavior. If something doesn't seem right, call the doctor. Trust your instincts, and know that you know your baby better than anyone else. There may be the possibility of an underlying issue that you may not have thought of and having a doctor's guidance will give you peace of mind.

Tips & Warnings

• Trust your instincts and call the doctor if something seems wrong.
• Take a deep breath when you start getting stressed. Your baby can pick up on your reactions and it can create a more difficult situation.
• Connect with other parents. There is sanity in numbers, and sharing experiences and tips can help you both you and your baby.
• If you are really going to lose it, take a time out for yourself.
• Don't hesitate to call friends or family if you need help. There is no shame in asking for it.
• If you feel postpartum depression is becoming a problem, call for help immediately.