The last in my series on fussy babies, here’s a little checklist that can help you identify your baby’s cries or just provide you with information you can document to take to a pediatrician if you need to ask them about it. Remember, sometimes your baby just needs to cry, but prolonged crying is not a good thing.
You’ve fed your baby. You’ve changed your baby. They are comfortable. But they’re still crying. Answer the following questions and keep track. They can help you figure out what’s wrong:
- Have you held your baby? Often being held in the warmth and comfort of their mother’s arms will soothe the baby,
- Have you nursed your baby? Often times breast fed babies seek nursing as much for comfort as for food.
- Have your rocked your baby? Babies like to be rocked or have rhythmic motion. That’s why riding in the car often soothes them.
- Did you try a little white noise? It can block out other sounds that can be overstimulating the baby and provide them with some soothing. A heartbeat bear is good for this.
- Have you tried some soothing music? Baby Beetoveen music is often soothing or a lullaby will work. Your baby loves the sound of your voice.
- Have you swaddled them? Recreating the tightly held atmosphere of the womb can be extremely comforting and soothing.
- Have you tried to massage your baby? Babies love touch and gentle, soothing rubs to their back can calm them down. So can rhythmic patting.
- Have you given them a pacifier? If your baby likes them, it can provide them with the ‘nursing’ comfort without overfeeding them.
These are just a few questions to answer. If you have tried all of these to no avail and nothing comforts your baby; it may be time to talk to your healthcare professional. More often than not, you will be successful and you will learn over time what works with your baby.
See Related in: The Fussy Baby (Part I) and The Fussy Baby (Part II) and The Fussy Baby (Part III) and The Fussy Baby (Part IV).