For crying out loud!
Tips for keeping your cool around a crying baby

Crying is a normal part of an infant's everyday life. In fact, most babies cry two to three hours every day as a way to communicate with their caregivers. Many infants cry because they are hungry, sick, hot, cold, tired, in pain or in need of a diaper change. Up to 30 percent of otherwise healthy infants have colic, a condition defined as excessive crying that can be very loud and last for many hours each day.

It is common for parents and caregivers to become frustrated when caring for a crying infant. Frustration often grows during times of stress or if a parent or caregiver tries to comfort a crying child without success. While frustration is a normal emotion, it is important to manage it in a healthy, safe way.

Here are a few tips to help you keep your cool when the crying just won't stop:

• Put the child in a safe, secure place, such as a crib, and leave the room.
• Pick up the phone and call a friend, neighbor, relative or parent helpline.
• Walk with or carry the child to a trusted neighbor's home and ask for help.
• Never shake or harm the baby in any way.
• Learn breathing techniques to help calm yourself.  

For your child's safety, it is important to keep an eye on his or her caregivers. If you know someone who has a hard time managing anger or who handles children roughly, do not put your child in his or her care. If your caregiver reports a lot of frustration with your child or has a hard time dealing with your child's crying, listen and make other plans for your child's care.

For more information about keeping your cool around a crying baby, visit www.capfund.org.