Hearing a baby cry can make parents confused, worried, or even panicked.To overcome this, there is an effective way to calm a crying baby that you can try.
Crying is a baby's way of communicating to convey discomfort or when he needs something. Therefore, baby crying can be caused by various things.
Some Reasons Babies Cry
It is important for the mother to first recognize what makes the little one cry, so that it is easier to deal with it. The following are some of the reasons babies cry:
- Starving
- Diaper is full or wet
- Fatigue
- Want to hug
- Body is cold or hot
- Colic
In addition, babies who are having hiccups can also become more fussy. The frequency of babies crying will peak in the first 7 weeks after birth. However, the baby's crying will decrease slowly over time.
Various Ways to Calm Baby
When your little one continues to cry and fuss, you don't need to panic. There are several ways to calm a baby that can be done, including:
1. Cover baby with cloth
Covering the baby's body with a cloth or also known as a swaddle is an effective way to calm the baby. This method is believed to give the effect as if the baby is in its mother's womb.
Not only that, the swaddling method can also make babies sleep more soundly, because it can suppress the startle reflex that babies often experience while sleeping.
2. Carrying the baby in the prone position
In the womb, the baby spends most of his time in the snuggle position. Therefore, holding the baby on the shoulder in a prone position can make him feel more comfortable.
However, holding the baby and positioning his body in this position should only be done when the little one is crying constantly. When he is calm, always keep his body in a supine position.
3. Playing soothing sounds
Soothing sounds, such as dripping or running water, can also soothe your baby. You can use your cellphone or videos from the internet to play them.
4. Swinging or rocking the baby
Rocking the baby's body with constant motion will make the baby feel calmer. Mother can also sway and move her body slowly while talking to her to give the little one a sense of calm.
5. Gently massage and rub the baby's body
Rubbing on the back and gentle massage can stimulate the baby's brain and nerves, so he feels more comfortable and calm. Baby massage is also good for reducing the pain he feels.
Massage your little one gently and not too tight. Mothers can also use lotions or essential oils that are safe for baby's skin, if they are over 1 month old.
6. Sing a song
When your little one is fussy, you can sing a song or play music with a slow tempo and soft voice. Several studies have shown that soft music can make babies calmer and sleep more soundly.
7. Bathing the baby with warm water
Warm water can provide a calming effect and can be a solution to overcome a crying baby. Therefore, you can bathe or wipe your little one using a soft towel that has been soaked in warm water to soothe him.
8. Giving baby pacifier
Sucking on a pacifier or finger is indeed a good relaxation method for babies. However, make sure this is the last step you take, if some of the steps above don't work.
Giving a pacifier can indeed solve the problem, but there are also risks that can be caused, for example, your little one becomes dependent on a pacifier or problems with the mouth and teeth occur due to the pacifier not being cleaned or replaced regularly.
In addition, you can also try to hug your little one with the kangaroo method to calm him down when he is fussy and crying.
However, one thing you need to remember, try to stay calm and not panic while trying to calm your little one who is crying. Because when parents panic or stress, babies can feel tense and more easily fussy or even cry louder.
If your little one is still crying even though you have tried various ways to calm a crying baby as described above, you should check with a doctor, because that could indicate that your little one is having a health problem.