Every mom has been there when her baby doesn’t stop crying and she has no clue how to pacify the little one. It is normal for you to be worried that something is not right with the child and feel guilty at not being a skilled parent. But the key is not to lose your cool and believe that you can handle it.
Crying is the natural way your new born communicates with you when she is uncomfortable and needs your attention. It is not always easy to know the reasons behind her tears. It could be anything: –
- Hunger
- Sleepiness and fatigue
- Anxiety
- Wet diaper
- feeling either too hot or cold
- Getting cranky
How to know when the baby is colic
Colic refers to severe pain in the abdomen caused by obstruction in the intestines in babies. When infants cry for more than 3 hours every day, they are said to have colic. The main causes range from tummy problems and response to light and sound to the baby’s nature. It is not easy when you have been up pacifying a crying baby for hours especially after midnight. Only remember to comfort the little one.
A lot of home remedies and products can help though not every product can work for a baby all the time.
Home Remedies to soothe a crying Baby
1. Soothing Sounds
Babies always respond to familiar voices. Just as loud noises scare a baby, soothing noises calm her. Gently singing a lullaby to your child or quietly hum while you hold her close to your chest and slowly put her to sleep.
2. Gripe Water
Gripe water is a common home remedy for colic and easily available at drugstores. They help crying babies by settling their stomach and help relax cramping muscles. It is advised to talk to your doctor before administering your child.
3. Mellow motion
Have you ever noticed that your baby stops crying once you’ve picked her up and slowly moved around? Crying babies are comforted by smooth and rhythmic movements like pacing up and down slowly, being rocked in a rocking chair or a stroller ride. This will calm her and get her back into her cheerful self.
4. Comforting contact
Babies feel extremely relaxed when they are wrapped snugly in a blanket. This generally gives them a feeling similar to when they were in the womb. Therefore, lie down with her against your side, gently pat her on the back and rock her to sleep.
5. The 5’s techniques
Paediatric Harvey Karp has recommended a combination of 5 fuss-busting techniques to comfort a baby. This is usually referred as 5 S’s techniques and includes:
- Swaddling
- Side/Stomach soothing – This is done by laying your baby on her side/stomach. Use this when the baby is colicky and keep a close watch on her.
- Pacifying sound, something like “Shhhhing”
- Swinging her gently
- Sucking (nursing your crying baby or giving her a pacifier)
No matter which technique you try, remember that your baby needs to be pacified and is most likely to stop crying if you stay calm.
When to seek Medical Help
The baby’s nervous system can get into a “stuck” mode owing to physical, mental or emotional challenges at birth or soon after. This means the baby will probably have difficulty with regulation and has a hard time in settling down.
Circumstances that might need medical attention
- Pre-term delivery
- Difficult or traumatic birth
- Medical problems or disability
- Adoption or separation from primary carer
Parents who learn how to calm themselves, seek support and communicate with their infants can find the means for creating successful attachment relationship.
