Ways To Create a Calming Environment When Your Baby Is Crying

Crying is a normal part of a baby’s development, and there are many reasons why babies cry and each cry is different. 

While sometimes a baby can be comforted easily, sometimes it can be difficult to do. Babies cry when they are hungry, when their diaper is wet, when they are tired, and even when they are bored. 

At times crying may be associated with some underlying health issue. Therefore, it is important to understand the various cries and as a parent educate yourself about what can be the possible reasons for your baby’s crying. If you feel that the baby is crying unusually more, please consult your pediatrician to rule out any serious concern.If your baby cries continuously, it could also be because of the following reasons:  

1. Dirty Diaper - Crying can be a signal for a wet or poopy diaper. Sitting for hours in a dirty diaper can make them uncomfortable. Change your baby’s diaper at regular intervals. Try changing them shortly after every feed, or at least every 2 to 3 hours. You should not wait until your child's diaper is heavy or smells poopy before changing it. 

2. Is your baby ill? 

Babies cry when they are ill. Crying is your baby's way of communicating that they are in pain. Check if your baby has a fever. When she pulls her legs up to her stomach, it could indicate a belly ache. She may have an earache if she tugs at her ear. 

3. Sleepiness: It takes a month for babies to get trained on how to sleep. If your baby is crying all night, soothe them to sleep. Swaddle your baby to make them feel safe and comfortable. Most babies love to be gently rocked. You could rock them in your arms or a baby swing. 

4. They are hungry: An empty stomach could be another major reason why babies cry. Look for signs of hunger such as taking their hands to their mouth and smacking their lips. Offer them feed, your baby might not stop immediately but keep her feeding until her stomach is full.

5. Stomach Ache: Sometimes babies cry due to discomfort in their stomach. It could be possible that your baby is gassy. Babies swallow a lot of air when they are crying.  This can make their stomach tight or swollen. Massage their stomach gently as it will help to soothe and comfort their cry.   

6. Colic: When your baby is crying for more than 3 hours in a day or more than 3 days a week, he/she might have colic. 

Getting a baby to sleep when he/she is suffering from colic can be quite challenging. Furthermore, the baby may be awake more frequently at night, and their sleep duration will significantly decrease. Your newborn baby depends on you for healthy development – warm, loving, comfort, food, and daily care. For healthy development, we need to create a safe and calm environment too. It is important to create a healthy environment when your baby is crying. Here are a few key points: 

1. Stay Calm 

The first and foremost step as a parent you have to take is to keep yourself calm. Keep yourself stress-free and understand that your baby is troubled and needs your love and attention.  

2. A single person must handle this the best 

When it comes to handling the baby, a single person is best. Change hands as little as possible. Passing the baby onto others when they are stressed is not a good idea. 

3. Ensure a comfortable temperature 

Make sure the room temperature is comfortable for the baby. Warm or cold temperatures can be chosen depending on the baby's preference and the season. It is also important to dress the baby appropriately for the season. Do not overdress the baby in summer or underdress the baby in winter.

4. Turn off the lights 

Whenever there is a lot of noise and light, your baby can get overstimulated. Thus, keep the lights dimmed and less noisy. 

6. Music may help 

Music is a great way for you to calm a crying baby. Babies love their mother’s voice more than any other voice in the world. So, humming also helps to soothe the crying baby.

7. Don’t overfeed the baby 

When we feed a baby every time he or she cries, we may be overfeeding. There is also a possibility that your baby may be experiencing colic, reflux, or milk allergy. 

8. Choose Adequate Nutrition 

Your baby's immune system is still developing, which means that they are more susceptible to infections than adults. Appropriate nutrition is important in overall gut health and supports in management of colic as well. The use of probiotics can be highly effective when it comes to strengthening the health of the baby's gut. A probiotic produces good bacteria that help in improving gut health and ease digestion. Breastfeeding is the best source of probiotics for your baby. 

Important Note- Please contact your pediatrician if you have any concerns. Act as per your pediatrician’s advice. 

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the content are independent and unbiased views solely of the blogger. This is supported/sponsored by Nestlé Start Healthy Stay healthy. Readers should consult their healthcare provider for any health-related information. This content is meant to help aid conversations with your healthcare provider. Any decision regarding your health and child's health should be done after consultation with your doctor.