It is a simple fact that babies cry. They cry to get our attention because they have no other way of doing so. Babies seem to cry most in the newborn stage, when they are really little, vulnerable and confused. It is not uncommon to notice an increase in this behavior in the nighttime hours. Some people have particularly fussy babies that cry constantly.
Parents really want to know how best to calm this crying. It is heartbreaking to hear your baby crying over and over, leaving you to feel like nothing you do will work to help them. Parents use various techniques to soothe their little ones, but all too often their methods do not work.
It has long been noted that rocking and other types of motion are useful tools for calming your baby. They are very soothing to a fussy baby who is used to movements like this from the womb. Unfortunately, parents fall into the trap of only holding or rocking their baby when they are crying. The rest of the time, they may have the baby in their crib or stroller.
Recent studies have investigated this phenomenon further. One such study set out to determine whether constant baby wearing can decrease the crying of our little babies.
The study recruited mothers to hold or carry their baby at least 3 hours a day, and to provide stimulation to them even when they were in their crib (such as with a mobile). The parents recorded what they saw until 12 weeks of age.
The results of the study show that those parents who followed the carrying guidelines saw a significant reduction in crying. These simple results have been replicated in many studies and touted by children’s healthcare professionals for years. Babies who are carried frequently, whether in our arms or in a baby carrier, seem to feel better about the world they are in.
It seems that we have gotten stuck in the habit of placing our children in their crib, stroller, bassinet, etc and leaving them there until they fuss or need a diaper change. This isn’t to say that the majority of parents are being neglectful. Indeed they are just following the guidelines our society has laid out for them. Babies belong in cribs don’t they?
The answer to that is of course no. Babies across the world are carried frequently and rarely leave their mother’s arms for the first year of life. The constant crying behaviors we see in our own society are not seen in certain populations.
There are many things we can do to swing the trend the other way. With the busy lifestyles many of us lead, it may not be realistic to carry our babies 24 hours a day. A simple remedy for this is to purchase a baby carrier that will allow you to be hands free. Baby Bjorn is popular, while the Ergo baby carrier is deemed a better choice by many.
We all want what is best for our babies. Correcting the mindset that babies belong in their crib will take a while, and some will not be convinced. However, as the study shows, carrying your baby close to your heart may be the best thing for their sense of well being.
