11 Genius Ways to Help a Baby Stop Cr@ying

Babies can cry as much as two to three hours (or more) in a 24-hour period، and living with the wailing isn't easy. Try these strategies to help your baby stop crying.

My son George was a screamer as a baby. Unlike his go-with-the-flow older sister، he cried for what seemed like the first six months of his life. He cried when he was hungry، when he was wet، when he was tired، and when he was bored.

He would change from a sweet cherub to a hot mess in seconds. His face would turn red، and he'd arch his back and flail his arms. I tried my best to soothe him with nursing، diaper changes، and hugs. But when those didn't work، I'd end up in tears، too. Thoughts such as، "What's wrong with my baby?" were soon replaced with، "What's wrong with me?" I felt totally overwhelmed and، worse، like I was failing at a basic task of mothering: the ability to help my baby stop crying.

"For new parents، figuring out what all the crying means can be challenging، frustrating، and even scary،" says Rallie McAllister، M.D.، a family physician in Lexington، Kentucky، and co-author of The Mommy M.D. Guide to Your Baby's First Year. "If they aren't able to immediately pinpoint the reason for the crying، they get frightened that there is something physically wrong with the baby."

An inconsolable little one can also make a new parent feel powerless، notes Crystal Clancy of Eagan، Minnesota، a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in perinatal mental health. She says this can be particularly distressful for parents who felt competent and in control in their pre-parent life.

The good news: You will get better at interpreting and responding to your baby's cries، says Dr. McAllister. Plus، some babies with colic cry، regardless of how skilled you are at caring for them and providing comfort.1 Until then، we've rounded up some tricks to help your baby stop crying.