There’s nothing more frustrating for new parents than a baby who simply won’t stop crying or screaming, but you don’t need to endure this without taking action.
Babies cry for many reasons—from hunger and fatigue, through to dirty nappies, and general illness or discomfort.
Luckily, there are several simple ways you can stop your baby from crying, and we’ve got 9 tips for you today, so you can find what works best for you.
First, what should you not do when your baby is screaming her lungs out?
What NOT To Do When Your Baby Won’t Stop Screaming
It might seem obvious, but it’s worth pointing out that you should never shake a screaming baby, however, frustrated you may be feeling.
Every year, a thousand babies die from Shaken Baby Syndrome, which is completely preventable.
We’re sure you’re shaking your head at the thought of shaking your baby, but those one thousand other mothers probably never thought they’d resort to such tactics, either.
Instead, arm yourself with an arsenal of tactics to help you stop your baby from screaming, whatever the cause of those cries.
9 Tips To Stop Your Baby Screaming
1) Check For Illness or Discomfort
The first thing you should monitor if your baby is inconsolable is whether they are too hot or too cold. Change their clothing, if necessary.
Comfort levels also extend beyond the tangible. Overstimulation can cause babies to cry, so reduce noise levels and dim the lighting.
Maybe, your baby is sick or colicky. Take their temperature and call your healthcare provider if the crying continues for hours, and they seem feverish or are vomiting.
2) Soothe and Distract
Babies love repetitive movements, so simply walking around while talking or singing can take your baby’s mind off things.
A warm bath can also be a sufficient distraction to put an end to the screaming, while the age-old trick of pulling a funny face regularly hits pay dirt, too. Babies love mirrors so you could try distracting them with a reflection of yourself and/or the baby.
3) Snuggle and Swaddle
Not long out of the security of the womb, babies love to have this feeling replicated. Swaddle your baby in a blanket and snuggle them close against you.
Make sure you experiment and start off swaddling your baby loosely. Some babies find the feeling of swaddling restrictive rather than comforting. You’ll soon find out as the crying will get worse, not better!
4) Is Your Baby Getting Enough Food?
Since babies frequently scream to alert you to the fact they’re hungry, you should make sure food is not the underlying reason.
If you’re breastfeeding and not certain your baby is getting enough milk, lactation specialists are often covered by insurance. By taking measurements before and after feeding, then after burping, the specialist can let you know if your bundle of joy is taking enough nutrients on board.
Also, consider supplementing breastmilk with formula.
5) Don’t Overlook The Dummy
An obvious but effective countermeasure against your baby crying is to slip them a dummy. If you’re breastfeeding, you should avoid using a dummy until feeding habits have been well established.
If you don’t have a dummy on hand, letting your baby suck on your finger might be enough to lessen the wailing.
6) Use White Noise
Whether it’s the sound of water or the thrum of a vacuum, ambient noise can sometimes soothe a crying baby.
There are plenty of white noise videos you can fire up on YouTube and even dedicated white noise machines you can buy if you find this an effective method of stopping your baby from crying.
7) Fresh Air Works
Fresh air works wonders. Sometimes, simply opening the door or window can be enough to curtail those seemingly endless screams.
You could also go outside with your baby if this approach doesn’t yield enough fresh air to do the trick. That will serve the dual purpose of distracting them.
8) Motion and Massage
Walking around with your baby or gently dancing can be enough to comfort them and help you calm down, too.
Gently massaging your baby is another superb way to soothe and calm them simultaneously.
9) Take Time Out
If all else fails, make sure you take a break. Call your husband or a friend and take some time out for you.
Sometimes, crying is essential for a baby, and it might be a case of just letting them blow themselves out while you get some time to yourself and bring those stress levels down.
