15 Ways To Stop A Baby Crying

March 23, 2009 by tanya
Filed under: Tips

As a mother of three under fives - I’ve had my fair share of listening to a baby crying. What could be the problem? Are they hungry? Dirty? Hot? Cold? Do they have colic? Are they ill? Have you been socialising more than usual and they’re just overtired? Questions, questions, questions… newborn_baby_crying

Below are some tips to help you cope with those tears… What I found out after my first was that it is perfectly normal for your baby to cry at some point during the day. You soon find out that around 6pm seems to be the witching time for most little ones…

By far, for me personally, the best results I have seen came from taking my first two children to the Chiropractor. If you ask around, you should be able to find a professional who has been trained to work with young infants.

For many people, birth can be quite traumatic, and the baby might come out into the world just a little bit ‘squished’!. With my son, they found that his neck was all tense, and after just one or two trips, he was a different baby.

With my third, I thought I would try out a cranial osteopath, and have again been very pleased with the results. They gently massage the baby’s head and body to release any pressure points they find.

If, after trying out some of the tips, you are still having problems with stopping your baby crying, go and see the doctor. There are times when crying is a sign of illness. Watch out for a sudden change in the type of crying, and follow your instinct.

Let you baby suckle at your breast. Many people think when their baby cries, it must be hungry, and can not understand why after a feed they still keep crying. If you have just fed your baby, then try some of the other tips below.
Hold your baby close. Try using a sling. Rocking, talking, singing, swaying your baby may help calm them down.
Burp your baby. For the first three or four months, you want to make sure you can get your baby to expel any gas they may have - even if they are breast fed. All of my babies have been quite tricky to burp. What I have found works is gently patting and stroking the back upwards. Sometimes it takes a bit of time, but it is worth being patient. Walking up and down the stairs while trying to burp them can also help.
Introduce a schedule. One of the best ways of maximising your chances of a happy baby is to introduce a schedule as soon as you can. Set up regular sleep and feeding times, and try to be consistent. One mother I know was told to feed her baby every three hours and he was sleeping through the night after just a few months. Some parents think that their baby is not sleeping as they are having too much, where the reverse is true. Check that your baby is getting the recommended amount of daytime and night time sleep. This is where a schedule will help you out.
Check your babies clothes. Do they need a fresh nappy? Are they damp? Are they comfortable? Obvious - but important.
Rock your baby. Babies love movement, and often prefer you to stand up while holding them. If you’re at your wits end and really need a break, try taking them out in their pram or the car. The rocking motion will soon send most babies to sleep.
Changing position. One of the most effective positions I have found for upset babies is called the ‘Tiger in the Tree’ position. You turn your baby onto it’s front, and place over your arm so that your hand can massage the tummy. Use your other hand to support the baby, and gently rock from side to side. They should look a bit like a tiger lying on a tree branch.
Try Music. Some babies may be distracted from crying with music, Mozart often works well. Even just the sound of a rattle may be enough. Babies love the sound of their mother’s voice, so try talking or singing.
Visual Stimulation. Take your baby on a walk through the house, pointing out interesting things to look at. Try placing a mobile above the cot, or reading a picture book.
Use a Pacifier. Bottle fed babies may be comforted by a pacifier. Remember to sterilise if they are young, and never sweeten. If they do not take to using a pacifier, they may use their thumbs. As babies get older, many will use a blanket or toy as a comforter.
Massage your baby. Try stroking your baby using firm and rhythmical movements. Many babies enjoy their backs or heads being touched. You could try out some baby massage, using baby oil. Make sure that the room is warm and your baby is relaxed - you will need them to calm down first if they are very distressed.
Change your diet. If you are breast feeding and your baby seems to be crying in discomfort - you may want to take a look at what you are eating. Often, too much dairy or alcohol may be having an effect on your infant. Try reducing your intake, or making a few changes, for example, try drinking goats milk and see if there is any difference. If your baby is bottle fed, can you find an alternative to one which uses cow’s milk?
Try giving your baby a warm bath. Every baby is different, some will love the water, others will protest. Make sure the water is at the correct temperature.
Find a good place your baby to sleep. Take a look at where your baby is sleeping, is it quiet? Is there too much sun coming in from the window? There may be some changes you can make to get your baby more comfy. If your baby is sleeping above a socket, you may want to move their cot. Also, try and minimize the amount of electrical items in the room.
When all else fails - try feeding your baby and then leave them to cry for a few minutes. Sometimes, rocking and talking to your baby may over stimulate them. There are mixed opinions about letting a baby cry it out, so do what you feel is best for your baby.

Below are some interesting video clips which will give some more tips on getting your baby to sleep.

For a sleep program that works, take a look at the Get Your Baby To Sleep! program. Results are 100% guaranteed, so you have nothing to lose.

Do you have any techniques which have worked wonders on your little ones? We’d love to hear what some of our members do to stop their baby crying…