We live in an age of immediate information. The answers to most questions are at our fingertips 24 hours a day. However, there are not always clear answers to these questions. Why is my baby crying? What is my baby trying to tell me? Why can't I read my baby's cues?
Baby cues are often hard to read. Babies with health issues, babies who are preemies or underweight, and babies who are overstimulated are particularly hard to understand. I recently worked with an experienced mom of a new baby with severe food allergies. Because this baby cries ALL THE TIME, it has been difficult for the family to separate hunger cries from tummy ache cries, fatigue cries from wet diaper cries and loneliness cries from overstimulation cries. Throw exhausted parents into this mix and you've got a befuddled mess.
Parents, I understand how difficult it is to understand your new baby's needs. Especially when they are screaming. In a calm (and rested) moment, make a list of things to try when baby is crying and put it on the fridge for all caregivers to see. Include the number for the pediatrician and someone else that can support you in tough moments. And remember, walking away from a crying baby for a moment when you are feeling overwhelmed is an appropriate option.
My third child was a model baby and toddler. (And he's a pretty awesome guy still!) When he was 16 months old we spent a hot summer day at the Denver Zoo. I couldn't understand why he was uncharacteristically fussy in his car seat on the way home. I decided to take a chance and remove his socks and shoes. After all, my feet were sweaty. Sure enough, he settled back in his seat and fell right to sleep.
I read somewhere once that the definition of a sweater is what you put on when your mother is cold. Parents, watch your baby, do your research, be prepared with a plan, be kind to yourselves and put a sweater on that baby when you're cold. It may be just what that baby needs.
Happy Parenting,
Susan
Baby cues are often hard to read. Babies with health issues, babies who are preemies or underweight, and babies who are overstimulated are particularly hard to understand. I recently worked with an experienced mom of a new baby with severe food allergies. Because this baby cries ALL THE TIME, it has been difficult for the family to separate hunger cries from tummy ache cries, fatigue cries from wet diaper cries and loneliness cries from overstimulation cries. Throw exhausted parents into this mix and you've got a befuddled mess.
Parents, I understand how difficult it is to understand your new baby's needs. Especially when they are screaming. In a calm (and rested) moment, make a list of things to try when baby is crying and put it on the fridge for all caregivers to see. Include the number for the pediatrician and someone else that can support you in tough moments. And remember, walking away from a crying baby for a moment when you are feeling overwhelmed is an appropriate option.
My third child was a model baby and toddler. (And he's a pretty awesome guy still!) When he was 16 months old we spent a hot summer day at the Denver Zoo. I couldn't understand why he was uncharacteristically fussy in his car seat on the way home. I decided to take a chance and remove his socks and shoes. After all, my feet were sweaty. Sure enough, he settled back in his seat and fell right to sleep.
I read somewhere once that the definition of a sweater is what you put on when your mother is cold. Parents, watch your baby, do your research, be prepared with a plan, be kind to yourselves and put a sweater on that baby when you're cold. It may be just what that baby needs.
Happy Parenting,
Susan
RSS Feed