Baby’s cry – and sometimes they cry a lot as that is about their only means of communication. Sometimes it is hard for a new parent to cope with a fussy, crying baby. If that is your experience, you are not alone!

When your baby is fussy, first try to identify the source of discomfort. Because a baby can’t tell you why they’re crying you must decide if it is from pain, tiredness, hunger or needing comfort. This is hard to do at first but gets easier as you observe your baby on a daily basis. You can rule out the obvious by checking to see if the diaper needs changing. Also, you can usually tell when they are hungry as they will move their heads and purse their lips searching for a nipple.

If you simply can’t tell why your sweet baby is crying, here are a few things that are helpful in calming a fussy baby that have worked through the years.

1.  Give the baby something to suck on – your finger or a pacifier may help. Sucking is soothing to a baby and will often calm a fussy baby within seconds.

2. Rock your baby. The rocking motion is very calming to a newborn.

3, Talk gently to your baby while he is crying. Sometimes the sound of your voice has a very calming affect, especially if you stroke their head, back or arms while talking to him.

3.  Swaddling your baby can be very soothing. To swaddle the baby, fold soft baby blanket into a large triangle and lay the baby on the triangle, feet pointed toward the triangle tip. Bring the bottom point of the blanket up over the baby’s feet, and then fold the side points one at a time across the baby’s length, so that you are securing her arms and legs. Hold your baby in this position for a few minutes and then gently lay him down on his back. For some reason this is very calming to some babies.

4. Sing to your baby.

5. Use a noise machine that has rhythmic sounds of water or a motor.

6. Go for a ride in the car. This is a miracle cure!

Whatever you do, don’t get frazzled. Your baby is telling you something when they are crying and you must stay calm as you try to interpret his or her baby language.