Baby Behaviour – Crying

My 2 month-old won’t stop crying. What can I do?

Brain development stage: Even though it doesn’t seem like so at the time, this crying stage passes very quickly. It’s very normal for baby to cry at 2 months and this is the peak. From 4 to 5 months of age, baby’s crying time decreases immensely.

Suggestions:

• Offer food first. Even if you’ve heard that babies should eat every 1.5 to 2.5 hours, perhaps she is going through a growth spurt and needs to “cluster” feed for several days. She should be feeding 12-14 times per day. You can’t overfeed a baby. She will turn her head away from breast or bottle and not suck.
• Check for illness next. As you get to know your baby, you will have intimate knowledge when things are not normal for her. Trust your “gut feeling” if you think she is sick or something is seriously wrong. Call your local baby advice line or take her to the hospital emergency.
• Check her diaper. A heavily wet or poopy diaper won’t bother some babies, but will irritate others.
• Check for gas. Try carrying baby with your forearm around her tummy and gently rub her back. Or lie her down on your forearm with your inside elbow supporting her head and your hand supporting her pelvis. Gently rub her back with your other hand.
• Check for prickly tags on clothing and hairs or threads wrapped around toes, wrists, fingers or neck. Baby may be in pain from some kind of irritant.
• Check if baby is too hot/too cold. Baby should wear the same amount of clothing layers that you do.
• Check if baby needs more sleep. Some babies wake up and seem fussy. Try not to disturb her and encourage her to go back to sleep.
• Motion really calms fussy babies. Walk, dance, sway, or rock her. Go for a walk in the car or stroller.
• White noise from a fan, ticking clock, aquarium, vacuum or dishwasher can help too. Buy a white noise machine that will play white noise or nature sounds, or use a phone app.
• Carry your baby in a sling, snugli, or similar carrier. Studies done in cultures where babies are constantly carried, show that babies cry very little. Warmth, touch and motion works magic for babies because they simulate life in the womb.
• Wrap baby in a blanket heated from the dryer. Then rock her in a rocking chair.
• Music or yourself humming, or shhhhhing may help calm the baby.
• Sway your baby while standing up or sitting on an exercise ball.
• Put baby in the swing.
• Run the dishwasher, vacuum or washer near your baby’s seat.
• Go for a car ride. Keep a pillow in the back seat so when baby is asleep and car is parked, have a bit of a nap yourself.
• Try a baby massage.
• Hold her using the tummy hold. It applies a bit of pressure on her tummy to help releive gas.
• Bicycle her legs so that gas can move out.
• Distract your baby with a bath.
• Swaddle baby. Flinging arms and legs can upset some babies. Others like loose clothing that allows movement of arms and legs.
• Babies that are over-stimulated from too much activities can be soothed by a dark, quiet room with gentle rocking.
• Go for a walk outside.
• If your baby’s doctor diagnoses colic, or you have a fussy baby, get support systems in place for you and baby. Know your limits. If you start feeling helpless, frustrated, and angry because baby is still screaming, hand her over to partner, or a friend or relative that can give you a break. Make a list of her likes and dislikes to post on the fridge. If no one is around, make a safe choice and put the baby down in the crib while you take some deep breaths and calm down. It’s okay to take a breather, even if baby is screaming.