It’s not always easy to know what to do when your baby is being fussy or won’t stop crying, but this clever checklist will help you figure out what’s upsetting them, and offers strategies to help soothe or calm a crying baby.
Common reasons babies cry or are fussy
These are the most common reasons a baby may cry or be fussy, so if your child won’t stop crying, go through this checklist first by asking, ‘Is my baby…’
- Hungry?
- Hot or Cold?
- Have a wet or dirty nappy?
- Over stimulated?
- Having a reaction to something that was eaten or drunk by mom (this usually shows up 4-6 hours after consumption)?
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Calming or soothing a crying baby
After ruling out all of the above, you can try these soothing strategies:
- Hold your baby gently skin-to-skin.
- Increase motion (gently) of baby via any form: walking, swinging, rocking,
moving side to side while standing, drive in the car, push baby in a pram
or carry them in a sling. - Sing or hum to the baby.
- Use ’white noise ‘(running water, vacuum cleaner, tumble dryer, hair dryer).
- Swaddle/wrap your baby nice and snugly OR undress your baby and allow them complete freedom of motion.
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- Distract them with different sounds, sights or places.
- The “Colic hold” (facing floor, supporting Baby with your arm, heel of your
hand putting pressure on the abdomen). - Try holding Baby over your shoulder or over your knees, patting gently.
- Have a break, let someone else try for a while; if you are tense, Baby will
pick up on it.
Information courtesy of Belly Babies. You can visit their site by clicking here.
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