Every newborn cries at times. This is a well-known fact among parents and non-parents. It’s normal for a newborn to cry for between two and three hours a day within the first six weeks of life and then even more so within the six weeks following this.
As the mom or dad of a young infant, it can be difficult to know how to soothe your little one and stop them from crying. When you’re already low on sleep and feeling agitated, you might feel frustrated when your baby begins to cry. However, there are lots of things you can do to ease a crying infant and get some much-deserved peace.
Why Do Babies Cry?
Identifying the main reasons why babies cry is helpful in preventing them from doing so. Before we get into the best ways to stop a newborn from bawling, let’s cover the causes of crying episodes.
As the parent of a very young baby, whether you’re a first-time dad or mum, or you’ve already got older children, you’ll quickly learn that your baby cries when they are:
- Tired
- Hungry
- Overstimulated
- Gassy Too hot or too cold
- Sitting in a wet or soiled diaper
How to Soothe a Young Baby When They’re Crying
It’s best to respond to your crying baby as soon as possible. Although some parents believe in letting them ‘cry it out’ until they stop, this isn’t generally recommended by experts. Infants cry for a reason (or a combination of reasons), so you should give them attention and identify what they need if they start bawling.
Paying your baby all of the attention it wants, needs, and deserves is crucial for bonding and becoming closer to them as they grow. It makes them feel secure, safe, and loved.
If your little one starts to cry for any of the above reasons, give the following techniques a go to ease their worries and stop them from bawling.
Check their diaper and change it if necessary
One of the most common reasons a baby cries is because they’re sitting in a wet or dirty diaper. They cry to catch your attention, so you come and change it to a nice clean diaper for them. Smart, right?
Although your baby might be crying for reasons other than needing a diaper change, it’s worth checking their diaper each time they cry. If it’s clean, you’ll need to identify the true cause of your baby’s upset. If it’s wet or soiled, grab your diaper-changing gear and clean them up so they can feel relaxed once again.
Hold your baby close
Being close to your baby is important for parental bonding, so you should aim to spend some valuable one on one time with your little one every day. When your baby starts crying, one of the best ways to soothe them is to hold them close to you.
Your baby trusts you as their parent or guardian, and your scent and physical touch will immediately ease their worries if they’re overstimulated or tired.
You can hold them in your arms and gently rock them up and down or back and forth. Alternatively, you can carefully place them into one of your breathable baby wraps, carriers, or slings, to hold them securely next to your torso while keeping your hands free. You can keep them in your wrap or sling while you get other tasks done, knowing that they are safe and sound with you at all times.
Consider humming, singing, or talking to your infant as you hold them. Doing so will soothe them even more and quickly stop them from crying. It could even send them straight into a deep sleep.
Massage your baby
Often, a relaxing massage can be enough to soothe a baby when they’re feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated. Massage enables you to enjoy skin-to-skin contact with your infant, strengthening the bond between the two of you.
Gently rub their tummy to relieve discomfort, gas, or tension. If you’re unsure how to properly and safely massage your baby, contact your midwife or obstetric health visitor for professional support and guidance.
Put on soothing music
Background noise can be incredibly soothing for crying babies. It provides a much-needed distraction that enables your baby to calm down and feel more relaxed.
You can find soothing music for babies online, such as on YouTube, or go through your personal collection to find something suitable.
Change your baby’s environment
Something as simple as a change of scenery could do the trick to stop your infant from crying. If you notice that they’re crying and have ruled out other causes, such as needing a diaper change or being hungry, consider taking them for a walk in their stroller or transferring them to another room.
Changing their environment provides a distraction, which, as we mentioned above, can be the perfect way to stop the tears.
Place a pacifier into your baby’s mouth
Pacifiers provide comfort for infants and placing one into your baby’s mouth when they start crying can be a quick, easy, and effective way to keep them quiet.
Babies have a nature reflex to suck, especially as they’re still developing in the very early stages of life. A pacifier can encourage development, exploration, and play, while also providing a source of comfort and security for your little one. In many cases, your baby will drift off to sleep after sucking on a pacifier for several minutes.
Pacifiers may seem like an impersonal way to soothe your baby. However, if you’re busy working in your home office, doing housework, or chatting with visitors in your home, giving a pacifier to your crying baby is often the best option (unless there’s a bigger issue at hand, such as a soiled diaper).
Similarly, pacifiers are a lifesaver when you’re out and about and are struggling to get your infant to stop crying while you’re in public. Make sure to find a pacifier that fits your baby’s mouth appropriately and feels comfortable for them. There are several different kinds of pacifiers, each available in different shapes and sizes, so shop around to find the most suitable option for your newborn.
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