Five Effective Ways To Keep a Baby From Crying

I often complain about children in restaurants, especially babies who incessantly cry. The only one who should be allowed to cry in a restaurant is me and all the crying shall happen in the walk-in cooler or the restroom. However, I am helpfully offering these tips on how to keep a baby from crying just in case you end up sitting in my section and your baby won’t simmer down. This is a guest post by new mom, Emily Dick. Thanks!  -BW

As a new parent, it can be both exhausting and upsetting if your baby seems to cry a lot. Some parents feel like their baby hates them if they cry all the time, but this is certainly not the case. Babies cry for many reasons, and over time you will learn to read your baby’s cues to figure out just why they are crying. Now, let’s take a look at some simple and effective ways to keep your baby from crying.

  1. Ensure your baby’s basic needs are met

This might seem obvious, but one of the main reasons babies cry is because they are hungry or need a diaper change. If your baby starts to cry, you should first check their diaper is clean and dry, they have been fed and burped, and they don’t need a nap. Overtired babies can be difficult to calm down, and it often takes a while for them to fall asleep. If all their basic needs have been met and they are still crying, it’s time to move on to something else.

  2. Entertain your baby

Often, babies cry because they are simply bored. Try showing them some new toys or sitting them on your lap to play a game such as ‘This Little Piggy’. You can talk to your baby about what you are doing, pointing out different objects around the house. Babies don’t need a lot of expensive toys, and you could try putting together a box of safe household items for them to play with. Try plastic bowls and spoons, wooden spoons, whisks and old cell phones or keys. You could also take your baby out in their stroller and talk about the things you see – perhaps different animals or different types and colors of vehicle. If you feel your baby needs more toys to play with at home, www.whooopsadaisy.com has some great ideas for babies of all ages.  

   3. Ensure your baby is not overstimulated

Babies sometimes cry when they have become overstimulated, and need some time out to relax and unwind. Sometimes, new toys or too many people around can cause overstimulation. In this case, take your baby into a calm, quiet room and perhaps dim the lights a little. Talk to them gently or even sing softly. You can also try swaddling your baby, rocking them gently or even playing white noise such as running the vacuum cleaner or hairdryer.

   4. Take note of your own feelings

If you are getting stressed because your baby won’t stop crying, it’s important to take a step back. Babies pick up on their parent’s emotions, so a stressed parent is much less likely to be able to stop a baby from crying. If someone else can take over, let them do so to allow you to have a break to regain your cool. If there is no one else around, put your baby in a safe place and take a few minutes to breathe and relax. You could try leaving them in their crib for example.

    5. Learn to read your infant’s cues

Crying can sometimes be prevented if you learn how to recognize your baby’s early cues for hunger and tiredness. So, if your baby starts rubbing their eyes, it could be time to put them down for a nap before they start crying uncontrollably. Also be sure to check their diaper frequently, and don’t be late for a feed!

About the Author

Emily Dick is a mom of one, a toddler girl named Daisy. She is the inspiration behind Emily’s new blog, Whooops-a-Daisy. Here, she enjoys writing about a range of topics whether it’s sleeping tips for babies or reviewing the latest toys and gifts for children of all ages.

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