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Baby Basics: Handling the Crying Child

Garret D. Evans and Caroline E. Danda²

Overview

What parent hasn't experienced this catastrophe? The baby cries, you check the diaper...it's dry. Maybe it's time for a feeding. No, she just ate 10 minutes ago. Is she too hot? Maybe you should take that blanket off of her. Still crying? Ok, maybe she's too cold. Try putting TWO blankets on her this time. Still no good? Do you feel like you want to give up? Do you want to join in and cry yourself?

Don't worry. You're not alone. Dealing with a crying baby is one of the universal challenges of parenthood, and it can provide some of the most frustrating moments that you'll ever experience.

Crying is Healthy

It's important to realize that crying is a natural part of a child's development. In fact, it's one of the first things that doctors and nurses look for as a sign that a newborn is healthy and alert. Crying is a necessary and useful behavior for all infants. The main purpose of a baby's crying, believe it or not, is to talk to you. Crying is your baby's way of communicating pain, hunger, colic, boredom, discomfort, a soiled diaper, or over-stimulation.

Babies also cry to get rid of restless energy or release tension. It's natural for babies to cry, even when nothing is wrong, just to expend excess energy and begin to interact with their environment. This new, noisy, world can be overwhelming for a baby--especially when compared to the sights and sounds of mother's womb. For newborns, crying represents the first step toward using language to communicate.

Learning the Meaning Behind Cries

Knowing the meaning behind your baby's cries isn't an easy task; it takes some time to get used to your baby's cries and to learn what they mean. Initially, all crying sounds the same, to even the most attentive parent, but after a few weeks of listening closely and responding to your newborn's cries, you'll begin to crack your infant's code and have an idea of what your baby is trying to tell you.

Babies Cry Differently

Not all babies cry the same. Furthermore, no two babies (including identical twins or triplets) are the same in terms of their temperament (those personality characteristics they are born with). Some babies just cry more than others.

For example, babies with colic can cry during most of their waking hours and often seem inconsolable. Some experts chalk up the problems of these "chronic criers" to a less-developed digestive system or an inborn tendency to overreact to stimulation.

Even if your baby doesn't initially seem like a "crier," know that four out of five babies have daily crying spells that last from 15 minutes to an hour that don't seem easily explained. Particularly around three to 12 weeks of age, babies seem to cry in the early afternoon or evening, often just to let off steam or restless energy. The important thing to remember here is that the crying is part of a baby's natural development--which means that the crying won't last forever! Eventually, all babies outgrow their crying.

What to Do When Your Baby Cries

The best way to handle most crying episodes is to respond quickly and try to meet baby's needs. Many parents are afraid that responding immediately to their infant's cries will spoil the child. This belief is a common mistake--and a big one! You are not going to spoil your baby by giving him or her attention. In fact, if you answer calls for help, your baby will probably cry less overall. Sometimes the longer a baby cries, the more upset he or she becomes, and the more difficult it becomes to calm the baby.

When your baby cries, first assess the situation and meet the most pressing need. For example, change the diaper, feed, burp, or change position of baby. Once the basic needs are covered, there are many ways to help calm your baby, most having to do with providing reassuring contact and a pleasant environment. Sometimes there's nothing more reassuring and nurturing than skin-to-skin contact and a relaxed environment. Try one or another of the following to calm your baby:

• Rocking a baby gently in your arms, while standing or sitting in a rocking chair

• Gently stroking baby's head

• Patting back or chest

• Wrapping baby snug in a blanket

• Singing or talking

• Playing soft music

• Walking (in arms, stroller, or carriage)

• Riding in car

• Burping to relieve gas

• Giving a warm bath

• Changing locations (from light to dark)

• Changing locations (from quiet to less quiet or vice-versa)

Here's another useful hint. Some babies like a constant low-pitched sound or vibration. Believe it or not, many parents swear that they can calm their baby by putting them in a secure car seat or baby carrier and placing them on top of a running clothes dryer. Be careful, though. Never leave your child alone for a moment on top of a running clothes dryer. The dryer's vibration can cause the baby seat/carrier to slide off and seriously injure your child. Running the vacuum cleaner is a popular strategy as well.

Hints such as the ones above help illustrate an important point about managing your child's crying. No one strategy works for all children. If you find something that works, stick with it. There's no need to experiment any further if you've found that "special trick" for your child.

Some Special Tips for "Chronic Criers"

For constant criers, some pediatricians have suggested setting up a routine of letting the baby cry in a safe place, such as a crib, for 15 minutes, then picking up the child and soothing him or her for 15 minutes, and then putting him or her back down, and so on. This strategy may be particularly effective as your child transitions to sleeping in a crib, in another room, or through most of the night. During these times, your child may be especially prone to bouts of crying when nothing particularly seems to be wrong. Often they are simply bored, missing you, or are having some trouble getting comfortable with their new surroundings. By checking to make sure that everything is okay, but allowing your child to cry for a short time on his or her own before providing reassurance, you will allow him or her to begin the important task of learning to self-soothe.

Dealing with Frustration

Even knowing that crying spells won't last forever, when your bundle of joy turns into a bundle of tears, it can bring tears to the eyes of any parent. Bouts of seemingly endless crying, especially those that include high-pitched shrieks, test the nerves of any parent. You've checked the diaper. You've tried to feed. You've burped. You've rocked. Nothing seems to work. Most parents become frustrated and feel helpless, and some may even get mad at their child and want to shake them.

Even the best parents admit having some point where they were afraid they would lose control and shake or hurt their child. DON'T. Recognize that you need a break, even if it means putting your child in the crib and walking away for a few minutes. Take a few deep breaths to calm yourself. That's the better alternative.

Another one? If there's someone else available (a partner, neighbor, friend) ask him or her to help out for awhile while you regain your energy. Sometimes a fresh face and new pair of hands can do wonders, if not for the baby, at the very least for the parent. After a few minutes of self-prescribed rest and quiet a parent often feel less stressed and better able to handle the crying.

Most importantly, don't take your baby's crying personally. No parent can soothe his or her infant every time he or she cries, so don't expect that you can. Realize that it will also take time to figure out what your baby is trying to say to you, and that sometimes there isn't an apparent reason for the crying.

If you have a "chronic crier," accept it. Besides checking with your pediatrician to see if there is a medical reason for crying (e.g., colic or a needed change in diet), there is little you can do to change your baby's crying habits. Your tasks? Fight the urge to doubt yourself and fight the belief that you are doing something wrong.

You will need to develop some extra strategies to soothe yourself during these times, such as grabbing a fresh face and a new set of arms, taking a break, talking yourself through these episodes, and reminding yourself that all children need to cry and all children grow out of it. Talk to others about what you're experiencing. You're not the first parent who has had to deal with crying, and you won't be the last.

Final Thoughts

Dealing with a crying baby is one of the great challenges facing you as a new parent. Don't worry, there will be many more ahead. However, it's important to recognize that a baby's cries have special meaning to you. Raising a child is a brand new experience filled with expectations and anxiety. Remember that babies were given the ability to cry for a reason. Their moans, shrieks and howls are their first attempts to talk to you. Remember to stay calm in the face of their crying tantrums and remind yourself that crying is just a part of the healthy development of your child.

References

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2004). Caring for your baby and young child: Birth to age 5. New York: Bantam Books.

Brazelton, T. B. (1992). Touchpoints: Your child's emotional and behavioral development. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.

Eisenberg, A., Murkoff, H., and Hathaway, S.E. (2003). What to expect the first year. (2nd ed.) New York: Workman Publishing.

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Footnotes

1. This document is FCS2167, one of a series of the Family Youth and Community Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date May 1, 2000. Revised March 20, 2007. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2. Garret D. Evans, Psy.D., Former Assistant Professor, Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, and Caroline E. Danda, B.A., Doctoral Student, Clinical Psychology, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology Clinical Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville FL 32611.

Revised 2006 by Eboni Baugh, Assistant Professor, Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville FL 32611. Revised 2007 by Heidi Liss Radunovich, Assistant Professor, Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville FL 32611.

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The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Larry Arrington, Dean.

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Copyright Information

This document is copyrighted by the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) for the people of the State of Florida. UF/IFAS retains all rights under all conventions, but permits free reproduction by all agents and offices of the Cooperative Extension Service and the people of the State of Florida. Permission is granted to others to use these materials in part or in full for educational purposes, provided that full credit is given to the UF/IFAS, citing the publication, its source, and date of publication.

Baby Acne - Why My Baby

Baby acne is a very common condition with newborns. This can begin when a baby is as little as a few weeks old. Baby acne appears more in baby boys than in baby girls. And acne in teenage boys is more severe than with teenage girls. And later in adulthood, women are affected more by acne than men. This has alot to do with the hormonal changes we all go through within our bodies. But dont get alarmed. Your babys acne will usually clear up within several weeks.

Baby acne is caused by hormones that are passed on to the baby through the placenta before birth. Then after the delivery of your baby, these hormones are passed through to the babys skin. Now since the acne does look like red pimples, it is actually small whiteheads that are surrounded by redness and inflamed skin. This acne presents itself on a babys cheeks, chin, the back and the forehead. What causes the babys acne is when the follicles are block and sebum which is a oil gland gets block and then bacteria begins to grow. What you also need to be aware of, if your baby gets irritable or agitated, the acne may become a little more severe.

When taking care of your baby, be careful and:

Dont use petroleum oil or mineral oil. This can make the situation worse.
Not good for you the mother, to be taking any medications while you are nursing.
If your baby is taken any medicines, you need to check for any allergic reactions.
Always use a mild soap or plain water when you bathe your baby.
Cleanse the face once a day with water. And dont use any ointments or creams.
No acne medications used by you or for your baby.
You can wash your little one every 2-3 days with very mild soap or just plain water. Especially keep the neck area very clean.
Do not use any harsh detergents when washing clothes.
Beware of any formulas containing soy milk. Soy milk has been shown to have high level hormone materials which are not good for a baby to drink when a baby is experiencing any form of acne. It can agitate the acne even more.
And if you are heading into the winters cold months, use light moisturizers and/or un-scented lotions for you and your baby.

Baby acne is a temporary condition and your baby will outgrow this in a few months. Now if your babys acne does not clear up after 6 months, then you should check with your pediatrician for advice and treatment.

Another thing to beware of. If your baby has a rash anywhere else on their body and its rashly, red or scaly, then your baby may have another condition called cradle cap or eczema. If you think that your baby has something more than baby acne, consult with your pediatrician. Dont get alarmed. Help is always available.

There are two other forms of baby acne that you should know about.

Why Should I Carry My Baby Close to Me?

If you carry your baby close to you in a cloth carrier, you'll find that...

1. ...your baby will be happier, calmer, and more alert.
2. ...your baby will have help regulating his breathing and temperature.
3. ...your baby will have help developing her sense of balance.
4. ...you will be more "in tune" with your baby, more aware of his moods and condition.
5. ...your baby will be safe with you when you are out. You don't have to constantly unwrap or "check on" her in some device.
6. ...you will be able to smell your baby all the time---yum!
7. ...your baby will be within easy kissing and cuddling distance.
8. ...you will be able to take care of your other children and yourself while your baby is feeling secure.
9. ...you won't feel "trapped" by your baby, because you'll be able to go places and do things without guilt, since baby is attached to you!
10. ...you will be able to go places that are difficult with strollers, such as up stairs or escalators, on gravel paths, grass, or beaches (or wading in a pool or lake), through crowded malls or street festivals.
11. ...you will be able to go places where strollers aren't allowed or don't fit, like petting areas of a zoo, or into a church or movie theater, without having to find a "parking spot" for your stroller and worrying about its being stolen.
12. ...you can catch a close connection at the airport (this has come up for us a couple of times), because you don't have to worry about fumbling with storage, boarding, and folding/unfolding of your stroller.

Wait! There are a few more.

13. ...you can hold the hands of your other children when crossing a busy street.
14. ...you can chase (and catch!) the other children if they run off at a zoo or park.
15. ...your baby can be social or private, depending on his mood.
16. ...your baby will probably sleep better tied onto you than away in a bed (at least when she's young), and when she wakes up she usually won't cry if you're right there! Besides, you won't have to interrupt what you're doing to go get her or check on her.
17. ...you'll have less worry about SIDS, because you're aware of your baby's breathing.
18. ...all that time you'll need to hold your baby, he will feel so much lighter in a good cloth carrier.
19. ...your baby will feel secure in the womb-like environment.
20. ...you and your baby will easily develop the special bond that comes from sharing a life.

Let us know if you have any questions about what it's like to "wear" a baby.

Why does my baby spit up so much?

Why does my baby spit up so much?

He's probably just getting the hang of feeding. And he's not alone: About 40 percent of young babies spit up regularly. The peak age for spitting up is 4 months.

When your baby takes in air along with his breast milk or formula, the air gets trapped in with the liquid. The air has to come up, and when it does, so does some of the liquid.

Babies take in a lot of nourishment in relation to their size, and some of them really like to eat, so sometimes they become overfilled and, well, overflow.

A newborn's digestive system isn't fully developed, either. The muscles at the bottom of your baby's esophagus, which control whether food is coming or going, may still be getting up to speed. It's no wonder your baby creates so much laundry.

Is there anything I can do about it?

Try these tips to help your baby keep his food down:

• Hold your baby in a fairly upright position when you feed him. Feeding him while he's slouched (curled up in your arms or sitting in a car seat, for example) doesn't give the formula or breast milk a straight path to his tummy.

• Keep feedings calm. Minimize noise and other distractions, and try not to let your baby get too hungry before you start feeding him. If he's distracted or frantic, he's more likely to swallow air along with his breast milk or formula.

• If your baby's taking formula or expressed breast milk from a bottle, make sure the hole in the nipple isn't too small, which will frustrate your baby and make him swallow air. On the other hand, if the hole's too large, he'll be gagging and gulping because the fluid will come at him too quickly.

• Burp your baby after each feeding. In fact, if your baby takes a natural pause during a feeding, take the opportunity to burp him before giving him more food. That way, if there's any air, it'll come up before even more food is layered on top of it. (Don't forget to put a soft cloth on your shoulder first!)

If you don't get a burp up within a few minutes, don't worry. Your baby probably doesn't need to burp just then.

• Keep the pressure off his tummy. Make sure your baby's clothing and diaper aren't too tight, and don't put his tummy over your shoulder when you burp him. Try to avoid car trips right after feedings, because reclining in a car seat can put pressure on your baby's stomach, too.

• Don't jostle your baby too much after he eats, and try to keep him in an upright position for half an hour or so. This way he'll have gravity on his side. You can carry him, put him in a pack, or prop him next to you against some pillows if he's big enough.

• Don't overfeed him. If your baby seems to spit up quite a bit after every feeding, he may be getting too much to eat. You might try to give him just a bit less formula or breastfeed him for a slightly shorter time, and see whether he's satisfied. (He may be willing to take less formula or breast milk at a feeding but want to eat more frequently.)

• If your baby tends to spit up while sleeping, elevate his head. It's unsafe for your baby to sleep with a pillow, but you can place a foam wedge under one end of his mattress or put the head of his crib safely on blocks.

Seven reasons babies cry and how to soothe them

Why do babies cry?

All babies cry sometimes. They have to. Even entirely healthy newborns will cry for somewhere between one and three hours each day. Unable to do anything for themselves, babies rely on someone else to provide them with the food, warmth, and comfort that they need. Crying is a baby's way of communicating one of those needs. As a new parent, it can sometimes be difficult to work out what your baby is telling you - is she hungry, cold, thirsty, bored, looking for a cuddle? In the early days, when you have not yet learned to work out what your baby needs, this crying can be upsetting. However, you will gradually begin to recognise your baby's different crying patterns and, as you get to know her better, will be able to anticipate her needs.

As babies grow, they gradually learn other ways of communicating with us, too. They get better at eye contact, making noises, and even smiling, all of which reduce the need for crying. The most common reasons babies cry are listed below. If you have a baby who is difficult to soothe, try working your way down the list. That way, you can reassure yourself that you have tried to meet her needs as well as you possibly can.

• I need food
Hunger is the most common reason a new baby will cry. The younger your baby is, the more likely it is that she is crying because she is hungry. The exception to this is in the first day or two after birth, when some babies feed very little. If you are breastfeeding, you may well be aware of this, as the very concentrated early milk, colostrum, is produced in small amounts and you notice when the milk "comes in" around the third day. A baby's small stomach cannot hold very much, so if your baby cries, try offering her some milk, as it may well be that she is hungry. She might not stop crying immediately, but let her keep feeding if she wants to, and she will gradually be soothed as her stomach fills up. If your baby has been fed and is still crying, however, perhaps she is expressing the next need.

• I need to be comfortable
Babies will very sensibly protest if their clothes are too tight or if a soiled nappy is bothering them. Some babies don't seem to mind if their nappies are full - it just feels warm and comfortable to them - while others will call out to be changed immediately, especially if some tender skin is being irritated. Checking your baby's nappy and changing it may meet her needs, so this is always worth trying. It also gives you an opportunity to check that a nappy tab isn't too tight or that there isn't something else about her clothing making her uncomfortable.

• I need to be warm - and not too hot or too cold
Some newborns hate having their nappy changed or being bathed - they are not used to the feel of the air on their skin and much prefer to be bundled up and warm. If your baby is like this, you will soon learn how to perform a nappy change quickly so that you can calm her down again. Take care not to overdress your baby, though, so that she gets too hot. A good rule to follow is that she needs to wear one more layer of clothing than you do to be comfortable.

In the cot or Moses basket, try using a sheet and cellular blankets as bedding, rather than a duvet, so you can add and remove layers as necessary. You can check whether your baby is too hot or too cold by feeling her stomach: if she's too hot, remove a blanket, if she's cold, add one. Don't be guided by her hands or feet, as it is normal for them to feel slightly cold. Keep your baby's room at a temperature of around 18 degrees C / 64 degrees F, and put her down to sleep on her back with her feet at the end of the cot so that she can't wriggle too far down under the blankets and get too hot that way.

• I need to be held
Some babies need a great deal of cuddling and reassurance. An older child may be soothed by seeing you in the room or hearing your voice, but new babies often need close physical contact for comfort. If you've fed your baby and changed her nappy, you may find that she now simply wants to be held. Some parents worry that they will "spoil" their baby if they hold her too much, but during the first few months of life that's impossible. While some babies don't seem to need that much physical contact, others want to be held almost all the time. If your baby needs a lot of holding, you might like to try a baby sling, which allows you to keep your baby close while leaving your hands free for other tasks; this may be a solution that keeps you both happy.

• I need a rest
It is easy to assume that babies will fall asleep whenever they need to, wherever they are, simply because so many of them do. However, if your baby has been receiving a lot of attention - perhaps you've had a busy day with hordes of visitors round - she may become overstimulated and then find it hard to "switch off" and settle. Newborns can find it difficult to cope with too much stimulation at once - the lights, the noise, being passed from one adoring relative to the next - and can become overwhelmed by it all. Many parents have found that their baby cries more than usual when relatives come to stay, or sometimes just towards the end of each day. If there seems to be no specific reason for your baby's crying, she may just be saying, "I've had enough". If you can take her somewhere calm and quiet, gradually withdrawing the stimulation, she may express her feelings by crying for a while and then eventually settling to sleep.

• I need something to make me feel better
If you've fed your baby and checked that she's comfortable, but she's still continuing to cry, you may wonder if she is ill or in pain. First-time parents often find it difficult to tell whether their baby is crying purely because she's an unhappy baby by nature (and some are, as it takes them a long time to adjust to being in the world) or whether there's something genuinely wrong. A baby who is ill often cries in a different tone to her usual cry - it may be more urgent or high-pitched. Equally, for a baby who normally cries frequently, an unusual quietness may be a sign that she's not well. The most important thing to remember is that nobody knows your baby as well as you do. If you feel that there may be something wrong, give your GP, midwife, or health visitor a call. Health professionals will always take your concerns seriously, and it may be reassuring for you to know that there isn't a physical cause for your baby's crying. Always call your doctor if your baby has difficulty breathing through the crying, or if the crying is accompanied by vomiting, diarrhoea, or constipation. See our article on when to call the doctor for more guidance.

• I need something ... but I don't know what
Sometimes you might not be able to figure out what's wrong when your baby cries. Many newborns go through patches of fretfulness and are not easily comforted. The unhappiness can range from a few minutes of hard-to-console crying to several hours at a stretch, an almost constant state of crying that is sometimes called colic. Colic is defined as inconsolable crying for at least three hours a day, for at least three days a week. Many parents find it very difficult to cope with a baby who has colic, and it can put a strain on the whole family. There is no magic cure for colic, but it rarely lasts for more than three months. If you can hold on to the fact that your baby will grow out of it, that may help. See our article on coping with colic for more strategies on how to deal with this distressing condition.

My baby's crying - what can I do?

There are things you can try to comfort a crying baby. Not all of them will work for all babies, so you need to gradually get to know your own baby and her particular personality to find out what works for her and for you.

• Wrap her up and hold her tight
Newborns show a definite preference for feeling snug and secure, just as they were in the womb, so you might like to try swaddling your baby in a blanket to see if she likes that. Many parents also find that holding their baby close, especially when she can hear their heartbeat, or putting her in a baby sling is soothing. Other babies find swaddling too restrictive and respond better to other forms of reassurance such as being rocked or sung to.

• Find a constant rhythm
In the womb, your baby could hear the regular beat of your heart: that's one of the reasons many babies continue to like being held close. However, other regular, repetitive noises can also have a calming effect. You could try playing gentle music or singing a lullaby. Many parents find that if their baby can hear the steady rhythm of a washing machine or the "white noise" of a vacuum cleaner or hairdryer, that will soon lull her off to sleep. (Never put your baby on top of a washing machine or clothes dryer - always put her on the floor next to it.)

• Rock-a-bye baby
Most babies love to be gently rocked, and you may find that your baby is calmed by this, too, whether you walk around rocking her or sit with her in a rocking chair. Special baby swings can soothe some babies, while others are comforted by being in rather faster motion and drop off almost as soon as they're driven somewhere in a car.

• Try a massage
Giving your baby a massage or gently rubbing her back or tummy can help soothe her. If she seems to have pains with wind, try feeding her in a more upright position and winding her after a feed by holding her against your shoulder. Babies who have colic may sometimes be soothed by having their tummies rubbed, and it may make you feel better to know that at least you are trying to do something to help your baby's distress.

• Let her suck on something
In some newborns, the need to suck is very strong and sucking a dummy or (clean) finger or thumb can bring great comfort. "Comfort sucking" can steady a baby's heart rate, relax her stomach, and help her settle.

• Don't demand too much of yourself
A baby who cries almost constantly will do herself no lasting harm, but may cause a great deal of stress and worry for her parents. If your baby seems pretty unhappy to be here and resists every effort that you make to cheer her up or calm her down, it can be hard not to feel rejected as well as frustrated. Parents sometimes blame themselves, feeling that it is their incompetence as parents that is causing the crying, but this is rarely the case. If you know that your baby's needs have been met, that there is nothing physically wrong causing your baby to cry, and if you've tried everything you can think of to calm her but nothing's worked, it's time to take care of yourself so that you don't become overwhelmed. Here are a few suggestions:

• Take deep breaths.

• Put your baby down somewhere and let her cry for a while out of your hearing.

• If it helps, put on some quiet music and let yourself relax for ten minutes.

• Call a friend or relative and get some support. Give yourself a break and let someone else take over for a while.

• Talk to your health visitor about local support groups or mother-and-baby groups where you can share your feelings and discuss ways of coping with the crying with other new parents.

• Remind yourself that nothing is wrong with your baby and that crying in itself won't hurt her. Sometimes simply accepting that you have a baby who cries a great deal can help, in that you don't wear yourself out looking for reasons for the crying, blaming yourself for it, or offering endless new remedies which don't work.

• Remind yourself that this is a phase and it will pass.

Being the parent of a newborn is hard work. Being the parent of a newborn who cries a great deal is even harder work. Get help and support when you need it, rather than letting things build up. And take comfort from the fact that each day, as your baby grows, she learns new ways of being able to communicate her needs to you. Gradually, as she does so, the crying will stop.

WHAT YOUR BABY WILL NEED AT THE HOSPITAL

WHAT YOUR BABY WILL NEED AT THE HOSPITAL

• Undershirt
• An outfit such as a stretch suit, nightgown, or sweater set
• A pair of socks or booties
• Receiving blanket, cap and heavier blanket or bunting, if the weather is cold
• Diapers and wipes (some hospitals provide an initial supply of these)
• Safety pins or velcro attaching strips, and rubber or nylon pants (if you are using cloth diapers)
• Infant car seat
• Diaper bag

SAFETY ITEMS FOR YOUR BABY

• Night lights or soft lighting
• Baby monitor
• Baby nail clippers/scissors manicure set

THINGS YOU'LL NEED TO TRANSPORT YOUR BABY

• Car seat - you will need to find out the specifications for a car seat that will fit in your car. All car seats are not made alike
• Stroller
• Backpacks and soft carriers
• Diaper bag - since this is something you will be carrying around for about three years, choose one that is comfortable and durable for you

ITEMS FOR YOUR BABY'S ROOM

• Crib and crib linens
• Play pen or portable crib
• Changing table
• Dresser
• Glider or rocking chair
• Clothes hamper

SUGGESTED ITEMS FOR YOUR HOME

• Diapers or cloth diapers
• Receiving Blankets
• Clothing
• Breast pump - if you plan to breastfeed.
• Bottles - be sure to get the correct size of nipples, such as preemie, or newborn
• Rectal or digital ear thermometer
• Bathtubs
• Washcloths and baby wipes
• Diaper rash ointment and/or petroleum jelly
• Hooded Towels
• Diaper disposal system - good to have, but not necessary
• Burp Cloths and waterproof lap pads
• Bulb syringe - for suctioning baby's nasal passages if necessary. Your baby's doctor will tell you if, when, and how to do this

THINGS YOU'LL NEED AS YOUR BABY GETS OLDER

• Outlet protectors
• Toys
• Books
• Walker
• High Chair
• Gates