Babies cry a lot. They’re notoriously famous for it. And despite our best efforts to handle a crying baby calmly and matter-of-factly, a crying baby can unnerve even the coolest, most experienced parents.
Studies have shown that we all react to a baby’s cry, even adults who aren’t parents. Researchers believe that hearing a baby’s cry triggers an emotional response in the most primitive part of our brains. * We “flag” a baby’s cry as important before we fully process it. Think of it as a light switch that shifts us into alert mode. Our brains interpret crying as a signal of danger. With this in mind, it’s easier to comprehend why we tend to have such a powerful reaction to a fussy baby. In simple terms, we’re built that way.
That being said, when you’re in the throes of a five-hour crying spree, emotions can run high. Parents are willing to do just about anything to soothe a fussy baby, especially between the hours of 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., when you know the rest of your neighbors are happily snoozing. Let’s take a look at a few tried-and-true tips that may ease your baby and save your sanity!
#1 Burping Your Baby
Even though you may feel like you’ve burped your baby for hours on end, there’s a chance her cries could be stemming from tummy discomfort. Gas bubbles are uncomfortable and can cause pain, so gently burping her again may do the trick. This is when products like Little Remedies® Gas Relief Drops come in handy too.
Learn more about the best baby burping techniques here.
#2 Motions and Vibrations
Think about the relaxing hum and vibrations of a ride in the car. This kind of stimulation can be comforting to an over-stimulated baby. Plus, motion acts as a distraction that may ease her out of a crying spell. Things like baby swings, vibrating baby seats, walking with her in the stroller or rocking her may do the trick.
#3 Gripe Water
Lots of parents swear by gripe water, a supplement that eases symptoms of colic, which can be causing your baby’s distress. Little Remedies® Gripe Water can be given up to six times in 24 hours, so it’s a great go-to product to have nearby.
#4 Soothing Sounds
Your fussy baby may respond to a lullaby or soothing sounds like white noise, which can calm her down. Your baby also loves to hear your voice, so a gentle tune may catch her attention and calm her down.
Learn more about soothing sounds for baby here.
#5 Babywearing
There are multiple reasons why babywearing can soothe a crying baby. First of all, it’s a comfortable way for her to snuggle close to you and relax to the familiar sound of your heartbeat. Babywearing also gives her the opportunity to feel warm, cuddled and secure like she did in the womb.
Discover the basics of babywearing here.
#6 Warm Bath
If your baby has been crying a lot, she’s probably over stimulated and exhausted by her own crying. A great way to help her relax and take the edge off is a warm bath. Lots of babies love being in the bath with the feeling of warm water against their skin. This can also help calm her down so she can rest.
Think your baby is a “colicky” baby? You’re not alone. Here are 5 things you should know about colic.
*Source: The Guardian
