Calming A Fussy/Crying Baby...Or Not! Pt 1

I decided to add the "or not" to the Blog title for reasons that you may appreciate, so please read on!

Tips and tricks to calm a fussy, crying and sometimes screaming baby are the single most important bits of knowledge you should memorize BEFORE bringing home your baby...and sometimes every single tip or trick is tried and still, your baby is crying. Hard. Hence the "or not" in the title.

All babies cry. Many of them, a lot. And a lot more often than you thought they would too! I thought I understood this going in to motherhood. But what I did not have any notion of, is the fact that there would be times that I would be unable to soothe my baby successfully. And that during these times, I needed a plan as to how to proceed from the point of nothing is working, he is STILL crying.

Because I find this topic of utmost importance, I'll make this a 3 part series.
Part 1 will discuss reasons why babies cry
Part 2 will discuss tips, tricks and techniques for soothing
Part 3 will discuss what do do when you've tried everything and baby is still crying

Reasons why babies cry: There is generally one basic reason your little dove might scream her face off at any given time:

• Discomfort 

Your job is to try to make her comfortable enough that she no longer feels the need to cry. Simple, right? Let's break down the category so you will know what to look for first:

• Hunger - Feed your baby! Even if it has only been an hour since you did so. Try again.
• Wet or Dirty Diaper - Change the diaper and apply diaper cream as needed
• Gassy/Upset Tummy - Employ your anti-gas routine which may include giving gas drops
• Other Illness - Take baby's temperature to rule out fever. If you have any question your baby may be ill call your pediatrician. If you do not have a pediatrician call your local hospital and ask for help
• Too hot or Too cold - Baby should be dressed about the same as you with maybe a slightly warmer outfit. I always kept my babies' feet covered too, even in summer
• Something with their clothing is irritating them - Remove all clothing and check for anything that could be scratching, poking or otherwise bothering baby's sensitive skin
• Teething - For older babies, but sometimes as early as 4 months old! Employ your anti-teething-pain ritual which may include OTC medications either natural or other
• And last, but certainly not the last to consider...it is the witching hour and/or he is just plain overtired!

Let's delve a little deeper while we are here...

A few important reasons that babies cry that I have learned in my research from a scientific and/or psychological stand point really helped me to view my babies for WHO they are as little people. And to understand their crying rather than feel helpless and even exasperated when their basic needs are met and they are still crying.

• It is their only form of communication, and it should be respected as such. If the baby is crying, they are expressing an unmet need and the attempt to lovingly and gently determine that need and meet it must be made.
• Their processing of stimulus is immature and therefore overwhelming. Just being a little cool (or warm) or having an itch they can't scratch is a major deal to them. They spent 9 months cocooned in your belly entirely well, safe, and comfortable, the sound of your heartbeat lulling them to sleep. Suddenly they are out and hello big world! It's a lot to get used to.
• Their survival instincts that God programmed into them are in full effect. They know your smell, your touch, your voice, the curve of your chest. But trust and love are still abstract ideas to them. Every moment is an opportunity to teach your baby that you love them, and they can trust you to care for their needs.

Now you hopefully have a sense of why your baby might cry considering both their basic needs and their developing minds. Part 2 is next...we'll talk about some techniques for soothing after all the basic needs listed above have been checked and tended to, and baby is still crying!

Key Points:

• All babies cry. Some do it a lot and are inconsolable
• Have a plan in place for what do to when your soothing efforts don't "work"
• Running through the list of possible discomforts will become second nature
• Whether your baby has true colic or common fussiness, and whether he is experiencing witching hour or it is unexplainable, stay calm and rest assured you and baby WILL get through it!

Upcoming Posts:

Part 2 - Tips, tricks and techniques for soothing
Part 3 - Making a plan for when baby is STILL crying
Witching Hour