University of FloridaSolutions for Your Life

Download PDF
Publication #FAR0429

 

Soothing a Crying Baby1

Suzanna Smith2

Figure 1. 
[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

All babies cry for many different reasons: "[T]hey're startled, hungry, cold or hot, tired, wet, bored, annoyed, [or] have gas…" (Jana & Shu, 2005, p. 108). And they cry an average of two to four hours a day (Jana & Shu)!

The first thing to do when your baby cries is to respond right away (Shifford, n.d.). You won't spoil your baby this way. Instead it builds a trusting, caring relationship.

Try to find out why your baby is crying. She or he may be tired, hungry, or need to be changed. Check for problems such as a pokey pin, or fever and illness.

If you've taken care of the basics and your baby isn't sick, here are some other things to try:

• Cuddle your baby. Babies need comfort and closeness.

• Take a walk with your baby in a sling or stroller, or a little drive in a car.

• Use some simple sound effects. Turn on the vacuum cleaner, washing machine or shower. Sing or play soft music.

• Provide something safe to suck on, such as a pacifier or your little finger.

• Relax. Babies can pick up on your stress.

• Hand your baby off to someone else until you feel calmer.

• Or place your baby in a safe place like a crib or car seat while you calm yourself. Never shake your baby.

It's not unusual for new parents to feel like crying from time to time, too. So if you feel stressed, talk to someone about your feelings. And if your baby keeps crying or cries more than usual, make sure to see your baby's health care provider.

Listening, learning, and living together: it's the science of life. "Family Album" is a co-production of University of Florida IFAS Extension, the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, and of WUFT-FM. If you'd like to learn more, please visit our website at http://www.familyalbumradio.org.

To listen to the radio broadcast:

http://www.radiosource.net/radio_stories/461.mp3

http://www.radiosource.net/radio_stories/461.wav

References

Centers for Disease Control (n.d.). When your baby cries. Retrieved June 20, 2006, from http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/katrina/pdf/violence_babycries.pdf.

Jana, L. A., & Shu, J. (2005). Heading home with your newborn. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics.

Shifford, D. (n.d.) Crying. A minute for kids (audio file). American Academy of Pediatrics. Retrieved June 20, 2006, from http://www2.aap.org/healthtopics/behavior.cfm.

Footnotes

1.

This document is FAR0429, one of a series of the Family Youth and Community Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Broadcast as program 461. Published March 2009. Revised March 2009. Reviewed March 2012. In the interest of time and/or clarity, the broadcast version of this script may have been modified. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

Suzanna Smith, associate professor, Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, Dean.