How to calm your crying baby...calm yourself first

 

All babies cry to let us know when they need something or if something isn't quite right. During the first few months, it can be hard to figure out what baby needs and how to calm them. The first and most important step in calming your baby is to calm yourself, so that you will be able to give the love and comfort your baby needs. 

 

Calm yourself by taking a moment to quiet yourself. Try taking a few deep breathes and reminding yourself to relax. Being relaxed when you approach your baby will send baby signals that you are there for them.



Brain Science for Your Baby

 

There is a recent study from Japan on 12 healthy 1 - 6 month old infants. The purpose of the study was to discover the most effective way for a mother to calm a crying baby over a 30-second period. The researchers found that one of the most effective ways to calm down a baby less than six months is to walk! Babies want (and need) to be close to you. 

 

This study showed that young babies carried by a walking mother were the most relaxed and soothed, compared with infants whose mothers sat in a chair and held them. As a mother stood up and started to walk with her child cradled close in her arms, scientists observed that the baby's heart rate slowed (showing less stress!) and the baby relaxed. A great way for you to buffer your baby's stress - and maybe get some exercise!

 

Study: Babies Calm Down When Carried
A Baby Buffer Prescription for Your Baby
 
After calming yourself, you may want to try some of these things to calm your crying baby:
 
Pick baby up and hold baby close to you
 
Use a calm and soft voice to talk to baby, letting baby know you are there for her
 
See if baby has a physical need (e.g., diaper change, hungry, sleepy, uncomfortable clothing or position)
 
Sucking can help baby to calm, offer a pacifier or your clean finger for baby to suck
 
Try gentle, rhythmic movement (e.g., being carried around, pushed in a stroller, or car ride)
 
Keep baby warm, swaddle in a blanket and hold next to you.
 
Avoid over-stimulation, take baby to a quiet room to calm. 

A baby Buffer Prescription for You   

 

A crying baby, or a baby who is difficult to comfort can be very stressful for a caregiver. Have a plan of what you will do if you cannot get baby to stop crying and you need some help. 

 

Never shake a crying baby. If you find yourself so stressed out and exhausted and cannot deal with your baby's crying, put baby in a safe place (e.g., crib, stroller, etc.) and call a relative, friend or neighbor and ask for some help.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

What Your Baby Can Do - Developmental Milestones 

 

Your baby will love being held and touched by you from the very beginning, this is the beginning of your relationship with your baby. Click on the links below to find out what your baby should be able to do:

  
Baby Buffer Blog
Written by "Gene" Greta McFarland, MD, FAAP 
 
Does your schedule have about 10 "to-dos" and only time for 5 of them?  Well, welcome to the club.  So here is number 11... no,... bump it up to at least number 4; it can only take 1-2 minutes.  Your child's safety may depend on it!  Go to the Consumer Product Safety Commission web site for recall information at www.CPSC.gov.  

A children's advocacy group, called Kids In Danger, released their 2013 annual report on recalls and children's injuries due to faulty or dangerous products.   The good news is that the number of injuries is down from 2012, but the bad news is that the deaths are up and there was an increase in the number of products recalled.  The majority of deaths occurred with nursery products and furniture, falling or entrapping the youngsters.
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