Show that you Care
Provide physical contact
Sometimes babies cry simply because they miss the close contact with their mothers that
they enjoyed for nine months. A recent U.S. study has shown that babies who were carried
in the arms or in a baby carrier for at least three hours every day cried much less than
those who were carried less. Carrying gives the baby a sense of physical closeness with
the mother (a carry over from the days in the womb) and it may help the mother to tune in
better to her baby’s needs.
Respond promptly
Crying is the only way a baby can communicate with the world around her. When you respond
immediately to your baby’s cry, you give her a sense of control over her surroundings
and a feeling that she is important to you. There will be occasions when you feel that
your prompt response has not made any difference. Your baby will continue crying no matter
what you do.
Remember that not responding to your baby
is not an option as you run the risk of her feeling powerless and worthless over time.
Prompt response will eventually reduce crying. Some studies have shown that babies, whose
mothers responded to them promptly in infancy, cried less as toddlers. The longer a baby
cries, the longer it takes to stop her crying. This is because if the baby’s cries
are ignored, she will work herself up into a rage and probably forget what she was crying
about in the first place.
Feed and Burp the Baby
Check her diet – Is she hungry or allergic to certain foods? Most of the time that
the baby is crying, it is because of hunger. Some parents begin to recognize the cry
of hunger at a very early age. It has been observed that the feeling of a full
stomach gives a baby the most comfort. – not the act of feeding, swallowing or being
held. Another possible explanation for your baby’s discomfort may lie in her
diet. Occasionally, allergy or sensitivity to something in the formula or breast milk may
lead to crying, but this is usually accompanied by other symptoms.
Burp the baby
Babies often feel uncomfortable because they have swallowed air. Parents can take a few
precautionary measures to prevent this happening. Babies will swallow less air if you keep
them upright as much as possible during feeding and burping. The right-size teat hole on a
bottle will also reduce air intake. Burp the baby regularly during feeds in order to expel
swallowed air. Applying light pressure to the baby’s abdomen (by laying her across
your lap, tummy down, or upright against your shoulder) while patting or rubbing her back
has also been known to be effective.
Comfort the baby
Help them comfort themselves. Sucking is not just a means of nourishment for some babies.
They derive satisfaction from the act of sucking itself. Babies appreciate your help in
getting their fingers to their mouths. Some appreciate your lending a finger or two.
(Please ensure that your nails are clean and closely clipped). Others find pleasure in a
dummy.
Rhythmic rocking, cuddling and swaddling
Babies respond to rhythmic rocking in your arms, a pram or a cradle. Walking the floor
with your baby in your arms, a sling or a carrier may be tiring, but a tried and true
measure. Some babies derive comfort from being tightly swaddled. Cuddling gives the baby a
sense of security. A warm water bath, singing, stroking and massaging, rhythmic sounds
like the hum of a fan, all have a soothing effect.
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