What to Do When Your Baby Won’t Stop Crying?

As a parent, hearing your baby cry can tug at your heartstrings and sometimes leave you feeling helpless. While crying is a natural way for babies to communicate, it can be overwhelming when it feels like nothing you do works to soothe them. If you’ve been searching for baby crying tips or trying to figure out why your baby cries at night, you’re not alone. This Ornavo's helpful guide will walk you through understanding the reasons behind newborn crying too much and provide practical steps to help soothe your little one.

Why Do Babies Cry and What to Do?

Crying is a newborn’s primary means of communication. When your baby cries, it’s their way of telling you they need something or are uncomfortable. Here are some common newborn crying reasons:

1. Hunger: A hungry baby will often cry persistently until fed.
2. Dirty Diaper: Wet or soiled diapers can make your baby fussy.
3. Tiredness: Babies often cry when overtired or struggling to fall asleep.
4. Discomfort: Issues like tight clothing, a scratchy tag, or being too hot or cold can cause distress.
5. Gas or Colic: Digestive discomfort is a frequent cause of crying in newborns.
6. Overstimulation: Too much noise, light, or activity can overwhelm a baby.
7. Illness: If your baby cries a lot and seems inconsolable, they might not feel well.

Understanding the root cause can make it easier to address the crying.

Why Is My Newborn Crying a Lot and Not Sleeping?

One of the most common struggles parents face is a newborn crying a lot and not sleeping. This can happen for several reasons:

• Growth Spurts: During growth spurts, babies tend to wake up more often and cry due to increased hunger.
• Sleep Regression: Around certain milestones, like four months, sleep patterns can change, leading to frequent crying.
• Gas or Reflux: Digestive issues can keep babies awake and crying.
• Unmet Sleep Needs: Babies need a lot of sleep, but irregular nap schedules or overtiredness can lead to crying spells at bedtime.

What to Do When Your Baby Won’t Stop Crying

Here’s a step-by-step approach to soothe your baby:

1. Check for Basic Needs
   Ensure your baby isn’t hungry, wet, or in need of a nap. Meeting these basic needs can often stop the crying.
2. Use the Five S’s Method
   Dr. Harvey Karp’s Five S’s technique is a go-to for calming crying babies:
• Swaddle: Wrap your baby snugly to mimic the womb.
• Side/Stomach Position: Hold them on their side or tummy (but always place them on their back for sleep).
• Shush: Use white noise to recreate womb sounds.
• Swing: Gentle rocking or bouncing can soothe a crying baby.
• Suck: Offer a pacifier or let them suckle to calm themselves.
3. Try Skin-to-Skin Contact
   Holding your baby against your bare chest can regulate their heart rate and make them feel secure.
4. Create a Calming Environment
   Dim the lights, reduce noise, and make the room comfortable to encourage relaxation.
5. Use Movement
   Babies love gentle movement. Try a stroller walk, rocking chair, or baby carrier to help them settle down.
6. Offer a Warm Bath
   A warm bath can be soothing and help relax tense muscles, especially if your baby is gassy or colicky.
7. Check for Gas or Digestive Discomfort
   If your baby is arching their back, pulling their legs up, or appears gassy, try:
• Burping them frequently during feeds.
• Doing gentle tummy massages.
• Using bicycle leg movements to relieve trapped gas.

When Your Baby Cries at Night

Baby crying at night is a common issue that many parents face. Here are some strategies to help:

• Establish a Bedtime Routine: Create a predictable routine, such as a bath, a lullaby, and dimmed lights to signal bedtime.
• Monitor Sleep Environment: Ensure the room is dark, quiet, and at a comfortable temperature. White noise machines can be helpful.
• Respond Calmly: When your baby cries at night, respond calmly but avoid over-stimulating them with bright lights or loud voices.
• Dream Feeding: Feeding your baby before you go to bed can help prevent middle-of-the-night hunger.

What to Do When Your Baby Cries in Sleep

If your baby cries in sleep, it could be due to:

• Nightmares: Yes, even babies can have bad dreams!
• Sleep Cycles: Babies transition between light and deep sleep and may cry briefly during these changes.
• Teething: Teething pain can disrupt sleep.

Here’s how to handle it:

• Wait for a few moments before responding to see if they resettle on their own.

• Use gentle shushing or patting without fully waking them up.

• If teething is the issue, a chilled teething ring might help.

When to Call a Doctor

If your baby’s crying seems unusual or is accompanied by other symptoms, consult a pediatrician. Some warning signs include:

• High-pitched or weak crying.
• Signs of illness such as fever, vomiting, or diarrhea.
• Crying that doesn’t improve with soothing techniques.

Self-Care for Parents

Caring for a crying baby can be exhausting. Remember to:

• Take breaks if needed; it’s okay to let your baby cry for a few minutes while you collect yourself.
• Share responsibilities with a partner or family member.
• Seek support if you feel overwhelmed, whether from friends, family, or a parenting group.

Try Comforting Products for Babies

Sometimes, the right product makes the difference. Ornavo's portable nebulizer is a must-have product this winter that keeps your baby easy and less irritated with a blocked nose. Ornavo's bottle warmer also comes in handy if you have to warm the bottles for the babies.

Final Thoughts:

Crying is your baby’s way of communicating, and understanding their cues takes time and patience. With these baby crying tips and strategies, you’ll feel more equipped to handle those challenging moments when your newborn cries too much. Remember, this phase is temporary, and your love and care are the most important things you can offer.

By staying calm, responsive, and consistent, you’ll help your baby navigate their emotions and create a stronger bond in the process.