A few years ago, A first-time mother with a beautiful baby boy-who cried for hours at a time. She was frightened, frustrated, at her wits' end. One day she decided to let her baby cry while she did some housework. She switched on the vacuum cleaner and to her amazement, the Baby soon stopped his wailing. He was comforted by the constant, steady noise.( see White Noise )
It's such a helpless feeling when you've tried everything-rocking, singing, walking-but the baby just keeps crying! You feel frustrated and powerless, guilty and inept.
That's a dangerous moment-a moment when some desperate parents step over the line and hurt their babies (see below:Never shake the baby) That's why it's so important for parents to prepare themselves with information on things they can do and places they can turn for help. Baby experts offer these pointers:
Remember that it's normal for babies to cry. A baby's crying is not a reflection of your parenting skills. A baby's cry is an attempt to communicate. In his book, Child Abuse Medical Diagnosis and Management, Dr. Robert Reece" estimates that a normal infant cries for two to Four hours each day and "20 to 40 percent of babies exceed that amount of time, sometimes quiet substantially."
Make sure your baby's basic needs have been met. You have probably thought to check your baby's Nappy and to offer food. It is also possible that he has been overfed.
If your child seems ill or in pain, call your pediatrician or advice nurse.
Did anything stressful or unusual happen today?
He may have been overstimulated by a big outing or a number of visitors.
Try something different.
Try gently stroking her arms, legs, or back, says Massaging is Therapautic for Baby and gives the Mother/ Partner a chance to do some Bonding
The National Center for Infants, and Families. Swaddling her snugly in a blanket offers comfort and warmth. Try walking with the baby in your arms, going outside, or taking her for a ride in the car (with a properly installed car seat).
Wearing him in a baby carrier
Have him propped up a lot - towel at the head end of the pram to elevate him slightly, elevated or wedge in his cot bed.
Offer a pacifier. there is a lot of debate with this, but if it works use it
Expose your child to continuous "white noise" (like the sound of rain, Hoover or a hair dryer). any kind of white noise - Download some from They become calm when listening to the shower run, the washing machine or hoover.
Some babies may be overstimulated when parents look at them and talk to them. Trying singing without eye contact for a while; then switch to gazing without speaking.
Reflux can be a Problem make sur you see your G.P The reflux Should get a bit better as babies get bigger and his digestion developed, I know GPs etc tell you this and it doesn't seem like it's ever going to happen, probably started around 10 weeks.
Take a break. Anita Moran, Director of T.A.L.K. (Telephone Assistance in Living with Kids) Line Volunteers in recommends giving yourself a break when you are feeling overwhelmed. Once you've met all of your baby's basic needs, it's OK to let him cry for a while. Put him in a safe place and check on him every five minutes.
Not feeling confident about going out, as everyone else seems to have perfect babies. go to any type of group the novelty of other people/new situation may seem to distract him, so it might be worth a go?
You will get there!
Not feeling confident about going out, as everyone else seems to have perfect babies. go to any type of group the novelty of other people/new situation may seem to distract him, so it might be worth a go?
A few years ago, A first-time mother with a beautiful baby boy-who cried for hours at a time. She was frightened, frustrated, at her wits' end. One day she decided to let her baby cry while she did some housework. She switched on the vacuum cleaner and to her amazement, the Baby soon stopped his wailing. He was comforted by the constant, steady noise.( see White Noise )
