Tips to Make Babies Quit Crying
A baby's cry is communication of a need that the little one cannot fulfill on his own. It serves as an alert to pain or illness, a reminder of food or diapering, as well as a request for attention or comfort. Most moms simply rule out the more pressing issues of pain, illness, hunger or diapering before throwing up their hands. With a little practice, you can figure out the source of the problem. Then, you can stop a baby's crying by trying a few tricks.
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White Noise
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You can comfort a crying baby by mimicking the sounds he heard in the womb by using white noise. Try running the vacuum cleaner nearby. You can also hold the baby close while making a “shhhhh” sound near his head that is audible above the crying. According to “Parents” magazine, some mothers have success in moving the bassinet, baby swing or portable bed near a running dishwasher. Turning on the your kitchen stove's ventilation hood while rock the baby nearby is another white noise solution.
Why White Noise Works
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Babies are easily soothed by the sounds they left behind in the womb. These sounds were loud and, according to “Parents” magazine, rhythmic as well. Think of blood making a “whooshing“ sound through a mother's body or the muffling impact that the amniotic fluid must have had on sounds outside the womb. The white noise will settle the baby. However, some babies may cry longer than others before succumbing to the white noise.
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Repetitive Motion Tips
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Rhythmic movements soothe the fetus in the womb and work well to soothe a crying baby. Swaddle the baby tightly. Then, try cradling him and rocking. Some babies need more pronounced movement, like that from a running washing machine, a car ride or bouncing gently on your lap. Bounce the baby on your lap by placing the swaddled bundle of infant face-up in the crease formed by your legs coming together as you sit. Hold onto the baby and bounce your legs gently until the crying stops.
Precautions
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When using the washer, strap the baby into a carrier or car seat. You can also use a bassinet basket. Make sure the the washer is empty or contains a well balanced load to avoid disrupting the baby mid-operation. Keep a secure hand on the equipment that holds your baby to avoid accidental falls. Do not let go of the baby while bouncing him to avoid falls. Do not place the baby on his stomach for bouncing, as this may cause breathing issues.
Removing Stimulation
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Overstimulated babies cry because they can't take another movement, sight or noise. These bleary-eyed babies need a quiet room with dim lighting. You can rock the baby and use a little white noise to help drown out the sounds from other parts of the home. However, do not introduce toys to the baby or turn on the television. Both actions are stimulating to the child and will only defeat your efforts to stop the crying.
Devices That Help
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Fortunately, some time-tested devices exist to help you with the white noise, repetitive movement and stimulation removal. White noise machines, CDs and MP3 downloads can provide the sound that your baby needs to stop the crying. Baby swings, vibrating seats and rocker/glider chairs are available to help you provide that repetitive motion. Remove stimulation with dimmer swtiches in combination with white noise and repetitive motion devices.
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References
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