When your baby cries and screams, he's not trying to "force" you to behave in a certain way. Crying is always a "cry" for support and means your baby needs you. Notice every cry:
Especially in the first three to four months, screaming is associated with intense internal excitement that your child can no longer shake off on his own.
Therefore, please respond as soon as possible. Try to identify the cause of your baby's discomfort, comfort and soothe him.
If your baby cries for no reason: Even if you shouldn't let your baby cry again, don't pick him up the first time he cries. Sometimes eye contact, reassurance, or a gentle rocking can be enough to help your pet calm down again.
If your baby cries frequently and violently: Remember, your baby is very fragile. Never shake it vigorously in the hope of calming it down. Your baby's neck and head are very fragile. Even brief shaking can cause serious health problems and even death in infants.
Never give your child medicine to calm them down.
How to soothe your baby
Parents know their babies best and there are many ways to calm them. Unfortunately, this is not guaranteed as every baby is different. Even though it may be difficult at times, stay calm.
What helps:
Caress your baby's little hands.
Gently rock your baby in your arms.
Sing a song to your baby.
Gently massage his belly and back.
Carry your baby in a sling.
Take a walk with your baby.
If you're looking for the right sedation method:
Take the time to experiment with what works for you and your baby.
Allow enough time for each method. Because trying to be busy can cause your child to become overstimulated.
Please try a method again every once in a while. Maybe your child didn't initially calm down from singing, but now he can. Instead, methods such as using a sling may be helpful in the first few weeks of life. But two months later, they were no longer a good fit.
Even if it's difficult: the calmer you are, the more your child will be able to relax.
Quick reassurance and encouragement don’t mean pampering
How long you can let your baby cry is a question many parents ask themselves, but it's not an easy question to answer because every child is different. Family situations are also different. The most important thing is not to let your baby's restlessness get to you.
Your reliable and sensitive response to crying and screaming, especially in the first few months of life, does not mean you are doting on your child. Instead, you're supporting your child, helping him learn to influence his own inner excitement and feel comfortable in his own body. And: Babies who calm down quickly from the start often cry less in the following weeks. Conversely, if parents let their babies cry more often, the babies will cry more over time.
When screaming becomes a burden
If your baby cries a lot at night and you can't sleep at night, it's understandable that you might become nervous and feel emotionally and physically "at the end of the line." If you feel you can no longer cope with screaming, seek help immediately:
Discuss this with your pediatrician.
Specialized centers for advice and help for parents with babies and small children now exist in many places and can be provided quickly and unbureaucratically.