Positive Parenting
All babies cry and some cry a lot. Do you have a plan for how you will handle it? You need to know what you will do to help calm the baby and what you will do to calm yourself. Check out these tips from Children's Hospital Colorado.
How to Calm a Crying Baby
- Check physical needs first:Check for signs of illness or fever. If you think the baby may be sick, seek medical attention immediately.
- - Is the baby hungry?
- - Thirsty?
- - Need to be burped?
- - Too hot or cold?
- - Diaper dirty?
- Rock the baby, hold the baby close, or walk with the baby.
- Stand up, hold the baby close, and repeatedly bend your knees.
- Sing or talk to the baby in a soothing voice.
- Gently rub or stroke the baby's back, chest or tummy.
- Offer a pacifier or try to distract the baby with a rattle or toy.
- Swaddle the baby with a soft blanket.
- Take the baby for a ride in a stroller or in a car seat in the car.
- Turn on some music or noise, such as a vacuum cleaner or clothes dryer.
Try each of the above for a few minutes before trying something else, or try a few together.
If nothing seems to work, it is okay to leave the baby in a safe place (like a crib or infant seat) and take time to calm down. Leave the room. Shut the door. Take a few deep breaths. Call a friend or family member.
How to Calm Yourself
Do something to calm your frustration before returning to care for the baby such as:
| 1. | Take deep breaths while counting at the same time to slow down the pace of your breathing. |
| 2. | Do a set of 10 push-ups, sit-ups or any other activity in your home. |
| 3. | Listen to music that calms you down. |
| 4. | Call a trusted friend or neighbor to chat for a few minutes. |
| 5. | Have a trusted friend or neighbor come over to watch the baby so you can go outside for a few breaths and take a quick walk around the block. |
| 6. | No matter what, never shake a baby. |
For more information, visit www.calmacryingbaby.org
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