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As a teenager, looking after children is not easy at all and for some can be a nightmare in their early days with the constant crying and the parents not knowing what the baby needs in order to become settled causing even more frustration for everyone.
During the first year you will grow to understand your baby and what he/she needs from you when crying. Teens will sometimes panic at the sound of a crying baby but there really is no need to.
Things your baby may cry about during the early days:
They are hungry
They need their nappy changing
They need some love and attention
They are in pain
Fighting sleep
They are too hot
They are too cold
They are thirsty
If your baby will not stop crying and you are losing so much sleep you can no longer stay awake you could try ringing Cry-sis - They offer support for families with excessively crying, sleepless and demanding babies.
Cry-sis Telephone Number: 08451 228 669
The only problem with ringing Cry-sis is that it's an 0845 number and costs more to ring. In all cases you should speak with your health visitor about your babies crying if your baby is putting you through some really hard times.
Here is some great information for teens who would like to settle their newborn baby and even an older baby:
The suggestions in this checklist are all ways in which parents have helped soothe their babies or coped with excessive crying. You may find that some of them work for you.
Is baby hungry?
Offer breast or bottle feed
Is baby thirsty?
Offer a drink from a sterilised spoon or bottle
Is baby in pain?
Check for illness with G.P or Health Visitor
Offer breast, bottle or dummy
Offer cool boiled water or speak to pharmacist about infant colic remedies
Try gently massaging baby‘s tummy in a clockwise direction
Try changing baby‘s position
Pick baby up, walk around with him/her – a baby sling can be helpful
Try gently rocking baby up and down
Is baby tired but fighting sleep?
Offer breast, bottle or dummy
Try rocking baby horizontally in your arms or in a pram/pushchair
Try a rocking or swinging cradle
Try a quieter room
Put baby down somewhere safe to cry for a short time – some babies settle themselves
Try a softer light or a darker room
Use a baby soother cassette or sing to your baby
Quiet background noise can soothe babies – ticking clock, vacuum cleaner, washing machine etc.
Check that baby is comfortable – clothes not too tight
Check baby isn‘t too hot or cold – feel tummy to gauge temperature
Motion can help babies sleep. Car rides or pram walks in the fresh air.
A warm bath covering baby‘s tummy can be soothing
Is baby fighting at the breast?
Check baby‘s position at the breast, most of your nipple should be inside the baby‘s mouth
Check baby‘s nose is free of the breast (his/her head should be tilted back slightly)
Check whether baby‘s nose is blocked and consult GP or Health Visitor accordingly
Let baby suck on a dummy before quickly substituting breast
Try changing feeding position, e.g. sitting up or lying down
Is there too much milk? If so, express some off before feeds or feed on one breast changing sides at each feed for a few days
Is there too little milk? Feed more frequently
Consult Health Visitor, GP or a National Childbirth Trust (NCT) counsellor if you are still experiencing problems
Difficulty bottle feeding?
Try a different bottle or teat
Check the size of the teat hole and change to a different size if necessary
Try offering bottles more frequently for a few days
Leave for half an hour, and then try again
Consult Health Visitor or GP
Is baby uncomfortable?
Check baby‘s temperature by feeling tummy – adjust clothing accordingly
Change baby‘s nappy
Try different nappies
Let baby kick, nappy-free
Check for nappy rash – consult Health Visitor
Check for clothing rashes
Sensitive baby?
Handle and talk to baby gently and quietly
Do not overwhelm baby with stimulation
Try a quieter environment
Try to keep to a routine and limit the number of visitors
Is baby generally cranky?
Check for illness – consult Health Visitor or GP
Talk to your baby
Play with him/her: use toys or safe household objects
Let baby kick, nappy-free
Try using a baby sling to carry baby around
Try a bouncing chair or baby bouncer (always follow manufacturers guidelines)
Take baby out in pram or buggy
Visit a friend
Comfort by gentle rocking movement or soothing noises
Offer baby a feed
Massage baby and give warm bath
Consult registered homeopath. Check with GP, Health Visitor
Consult registered Cranial Osteopath with paediatric experience
If you suspect Colic, speak to GP or Health Visitor about infant colic remedies
Still crying?
Put baby down in a safe place, walk out of the room and shut the door, take a short break
Give baby to a trusted friend or family member for a few hours if possible
Use any time away from baby to look after yourself
Eat well and unwind
Go out with baby
Phone your GP, Health Visitor, NHS Direct, The Cry-sis Helpline, friend or relative
Night-time Crying
Checklist and ideas for settling a baby under a year old
Make sure baby is not hungry or thirsty
Check that baby is comfortable and that his/her nappy is clean and dry
Make sure clothing is not too tight
Is baby too hot or too cold? Check baby‘s tummy temperature
Rhythmic movement often settles babies. Gentle rocking in a pram or crib can have a hypnotic effect. Baby Slings are useful as they provide continual movement and the security of Mum/Dad
Some babies prefer the dark, others like a low night light
Soother tapes and devices may help baby fall asleep. A bedtime routine is a worthwhile investment for the future. This is best introduced as soon as possible with perhaps a warm bath before bedtime and a quiet feed and cuddle before sleep
From 3 months babies are becoming more aware of their environment, so other methods of settling them to sleep can be considered. Mobiles and soft play things above the cot prevent boredom and make baby‘s cot a more enjoyable place to be
As baby gets older a particular toy or "cuddly" can be encouraged so that baby feels more secure when on his/her own. Soft toys in the cot can act as insulators – avoid overheating baby
Many babies find their own fingers or thumbs to suck for comfort
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Looking after children - Early Days
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