All babies cry, and some more than others. Crying is your baby's way of telling you they need comfort and care. Sometimes it's easy to work out what they want, and sometimes it's not. The most common reasons for your baby crying are: hunger a dirty or wet nappy tiredness wanting a cuddle wind being too hot or too cold boredom overstimulation being unwell There may be times of the day when your baby tends to cry a lot and cannot be comforted. Early evening is the most common time for this to happen. This can be hard for you, as it's often the time when you're most tired and least able to cope. The amount babies cry tends to peak when they're around 4 to 8 weeks old, then gradually tail off. (NHS UK https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/caring-for-a-newborn/soothing-a-crying-baby/ ) How can I determine if my baby’s fussiness is normal? Crying is completely normal for a baby. In fact, you can expect to hear two or three hours of fussing a day during the first six weeks of your baby’s life. So once you know that crying is just a part of being a baby, the next step is figuring out if the cries you hear are run-of-the-mill cues (hunger, fatigue, dirty nappy), and this takes some practice. Once you’ve nailed what each type of cry sounds like, you’ll know that the fussing you hear is likely normal. More intense wailing or screaming, however, may indicate an unusual level of crying that could be colic. If your child is crying excessively, discuss it with your GP. She may need to be evaluated to make sure there isn’t a medical cause. If her GP suspects colic, they can recommend what you can do to help. Crying that’s weak-sounding or comes across like soft whimpering could mean your baby is sick and can’t muster the strength to cry loudly. Call the GP so you can describe your baby’s symptoms and learn how best to treat any illness she may have. The GP may tell you to bring your child in for a check-up. (*https://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/care/how-to-make-baby-stop-crying ) Colic vs. “normal crying” The rule of threes is a good way to determine whether your baby might be suffering from colic. Babies who cry more than three hours a day for more than three days a week over the course of three weeks may have colic, which affects one in five babies. Ask your child's GP if you're unsure whether or not her crying is considered excessive. Another sign of colic is crying that’s more like screaming and that usually occurs in the later afternoon or evening for hours at a time. Although there's no hard-and-fast definition of “normal crying,” it tends to be the type of tears that you understand and can quickly quell. For example, a rhythmic, low-pitched cry along with sucking or lip-smacking sounds could indicate hunger, while a whiny, continuous cry that grows increasingly louder might mean that your infant is tired or uncomfortable. (*https://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/care/how-to-make-baby-stop-crying ) Once you’ve ruled out the obvious reasons your baby could be crying (empty tummy, wet nappy, overdue nap) and your GP doesn't think she’s sick, try these time-tested techniques to help clear the tears and make you both feel better. There are many techniques that you can use to help your baby settle down. Some may work better than others and it is important for you to try to to find one that your baby responds to. Some of the Soothing techniques are: Swaddling Sucking Gentle rocking or rhythmic movements White noise or soft music Skin-to-skin contact Gentle massage Calm environment Car rides or stroller walks Offer comfort objects Swaddling: Wrapping your baby snugly in a soft blanket can help recreate the feeling of being in the womb, providing comfort and security. Swaddling is a technique of snugly wrapping a baby in a blanket to create a sense of security and mimic the feeling of being in the womb. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to swaddle a baby: Start with a large, thin, and breathable blanket or a muslin cloth. Lay it flat on a safe surface, such as a bed or changing table, in a diamond shape, with one corner pointing towards you. Fold the top corner of the blanket down about 6 inches (15 cm) to create a straight edge. Place your baby on the blanket with their head slightly above the folded edge, so the blanket covers their back and reaches up to their shoulders. Take the left corner of the blanket and bring it across your baby's chest, tucking it under their right arm. Take the bottom corner of the blanket and pull it up over your baby's feet, tucking it snugly behind their shoulder. Finally, take the right corner of the blanket and bring it across your baby's chest, tucking it securely under their left side. Make sure the swaddle is snug but not too tight, allowing your baby to have some movement in their hips and legs. It's important to leave their hips loose to prevent hip dysplasia. Also, ensure that the swaddle is not covering their face or obstructing their breathing. Swaddling is typically recommended for newborns up to about 2 to 3 months of age when they have better control of their movements and start to show signs of rolling over. Always monitor your baby while they are swaddled to ensure they are safe and comfortable. If you're unsure about swaddling or want to ensure you're doing it correctly, you can ask your healthcare provider or a nurse to demonstrate the technique for you. They can provide hands-on guidance and answer any questions you may have. The below video can also offer some guidance on swaddling. Sucking: Babies have a natural sucking reflex, which can help them relax. You can offer a pacifier, let them breastfeed, or use a clean finger for them to suck on. Sucking can have a lot of different effects in the body of the baby. It is thought that sucking triggers the release of the hormone cholecystokinin in the gut which gives a feeling of fullness and sleepiness and in its turn triggers the release of oxytocin in the baby. Oxytocin is the incredible hormone which is so important throughout our lives but especially in the postnatal period and for infant development. It reduces stress, encourages social interaction, bonding and the development of a secure psychological attachment. As a result, sucking is soothing and calming and may provide a measure of pain relief. (*https://www.nutritionandnurture.co.uk/post/babies-suck) Gentle rocking or rhythmic movements: You can rock your baby gently in your arms, use a rocking chair, or try using a baby swing or bouncer with a soothing motion. The rhythmic movements can have a calming effect. When it comes to calming and swaying a baby, there is no ”one size fits all” solution. Just like every person has different likes and dislikes, each baby is also unique in their favourite soothing motions. Some babies enjoy a vigorous motion like bouncing on a yoga ball, while others might like a simple slow rocking in the glider. Parents have come up with countless ways to calm their unhappy babies with motion including: Baby wearing Dancing Rhythmic pats on the back or bum Car rides Brisk walks (*https://babybrezza.com/blogs/news/swaying-and-swinging-to-a-calmer-baby) White noise or soft music: Your little one came into the world accustomed to background sounds. If you're wondering why, remember that the womb can be a noisy place. While it provides a fair amount of padding, your baby in utero was surrounded by ambient sounds — like the beating of your heart and the air moving through your lungs — for nine months. Background sounds such as white noise, lullabies, or nature sounds can create a soothing environment for your baby. You can use a white noise machine, a fan, or play soft music to help calm them. Skin-to-skin contact: Holding your baby close to your skin can provide warmth, security, and comfort. This technique is especially beneficial for newborns. The practice: calms and relaxes both mother and baby regulates the baby’s heart rate and breathing, helping them to better adapt to life outside the womb stimulates digestion and an interest in feeding regulates temperature enables colonisation of the baby’s skin with the mother’s friendly bacteria, thus providing protection against infection stimulates the release of hormones to support breastfeeding and mothering. Skin-to-skin contact also provides benefits for babies in the neonatal unit, in that it improves oxygen saturation, reduces cortisol (stress) levels, particularly following painful procedures, encourages pre-feeding behaviour, assists with growth, may reduce hospital stay, increases milk volume if the mother expresses following a period of skin-to-skin contact, with the expressed milk containing the most up-to-date antibodies. The video below produced by Unicef United Kingdom -The Baby Friendly Initiative provides both theory and practice of skin to skin. (*https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-resources/implementing-standards-resources/skin-to-skin-contact/ ) Gentle massage: Use gentle strokes and light pressure to massage your baby's back, tummy, arms, and legs. This can help relax their muscles and promote calmness. The below short video routine by Lucy’s Angels provides an example of calming and soothing massage that you can do with your baby at home. Warm bath: A warm bath can be soothing for babies. Make sure the water temperature is appropriate and support their head and neck while bathing. Here are some practical methods you can try during bath time to make everything as relaxing as possible: Pick a time of day when your little one is calm, rested, and isn’t hungry. Baths don’t have to always be a part of the bedtime routine. If your baby is the most alert and happy in the mornings, try it then. Or even after a nap and a messy lunch. Try different water temperatures. Maybe your little one likes the bath a little warmer or cooler. Most of the time, it helps to make the water a little warmer. Warm up the bathroom with a space heater if it’s cold so it can be as comfortable as possible. Try playing music during bath time. Take it slow. Some babies (as you may have noticed) do NOT like getting their hair or faces wet. Take your time, talk them through it, and if they’re old enough, invite them to try wetting their face a little. Incorporate something fun to distract them like bubbles or letting them watch the water flow from the tap. Get your baby used to water by having them splash some water in a small bowl or from the tap with their hands and feet. Have everything you need ready - towels, nappy, fresh clothes, toys… so you’re not scrambling during and after bath time. (*https://www.shnuggle.com/blogs/news/cognitive-and-emotional-benefits-of-bath-time ) Calm environment: Create a peaceful atmosphere by dimming the lights, reducing noise, and minimizing distractions. A serene environment can help your baby feel more relaxed. Car rides or walks: The gentle motion and vibrations of a car ride or a walk in a stroller can often have a calming effect on babies. Offer comfort objects: Some babies find comfort in objects like a soft blanket, a stuffed animal, or a favourite toy. These objects can provide a sense of security. Remember, every baby is unique, so you may need to try different techniques to find what works best for your little one. Additionally, if your baby's fussiness persists or you have concerns about their well-being, it's always a good idea to consult with a paediatrician for further guidance.