How to Soothe a Screaming Baby
It's natural for babies to cry and scream. Usually, there is a discernible cause for their discomfort, such as a dirty diaper or gas. Other causes of crying may not be as obvious. Some babies easily become overly stimulated from noise and movements, while others prefer to be in a busy environment. Expect to learn what soothes your screaming baby through trial and error. If nothing seems to work, bring him to his pediatrician to rule out any medical causes.
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Things You'll Need
- Bottle
- Pacifier
- Washcloth
- Teething cracker
- Blanket
- Fan
- Sound recordings
- Baby sling
- Gripe water
- Gas drops
Instructions
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Check your baby's diaper, and change it if necessary. Babies often cry when they have a dirty diaper.
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Offer your baby a bottle, or breastfeed him if his diaper is not dirty. Waiting too long to feed a baby after he cries may encourage him to gulp more air when he eats. Newborn infants tend to feed every few hours. Pat him gently on the back to burp him after he feeds. Gas is also a common cause of crying.
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Feel your baby's skin. Remove a layer of clothing If he feels too hot or add a layer if he feels chilly.
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Offer the baby a pacifier. Babies often are comforted by sucking on pacifiers. They tend to teethe at about 4 to 7 months, but some babies may teethe earlier. This process can become painful. If a pacifier is not sufficient to soothe the baby's screaming, offer him a cold washcloth or an unsweetened teething cracker.
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Bring your screaming baby into a calmer environment to soothe him. The baby might have become overstimulated by noises and sounds. After taking him to a calmer room, swaddle him in a lightweight blanket, and hold him until he calms down.
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Sing or hum to your baby to soothe him. Try putting him down for a nap with white noise in the background, such as a fan or a recording of rhythmic sounds. Some infants find comfort with the noise of washing machines.
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Engage your baby with more activity if a quieter environment does not seem to appeal to him. Bring him to a busier room with a lot of people, or take him on frequent outings with other parents and children. Try a baby sling so he can go wherever you go without tiring your arms.
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Try gripe water to ease colic and alleviate stomach pain. Check with your pediatrician before offering him gripe water. If your baby cries because of gas, use infant-strength gas drops with your pediatrician's approval.
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Tips & Warnings
If your baby continues to cry for no apparent reason, he might be sensitive to scratchy clothing, clothing tags or even a hair wrapped around his fingers or toes.
Your baby has colic if he cries for at least three hours on three days of each week for more than three consecutive weeks, and there is no apparent medical cause.
Keep a food diary if you breastfeed your baby. Some babies might have an upset stomach in response to something you ate. Your diet affects the flavor of your breast milk.
References
Resources
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