Welcoming Your New Baby

Your child’s healthy development is encouraged when you respond to their needs. Babies cannot be spoiled. In the early days, your baby may cry when they have something to tell you. They may cry because they are hungry, scared, sick, uncomfortable, hurt, lonely, wet, overwhelmed, or tired. By listening to your baby’s cries and responding to their needs, you are forming a special trust that will nurture them for a lifetime.
For more information about the connection between secure early attachments and healthy brain development, contact the Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children or visit Attachment Parenting International at www.attachmentparenting.org.

Babies spend an average of 2-3 hours per day crying, sometimes more. The Period of PURPLE Crying® is a normal developmental stage when babies cry more than any other time. The Period of PURPLE Crying® begins at about 2 weeks of age and continues until about 3-4 months. All babies go through it, though some cry a lot and some far less. For more information visit www.purplecrying.info.

To help your baby stop crying after they have been fed, burped, and changed, try:
• Picking them up and holding them close
• Snuggling or wrapping (swaddling) them in a blanket
• Wearing them in a sling
• Talking or singing to them
• Playing soft music
• Dimming the lights
• Giving them something to look at
• Playing with them
• Satisfying their suckling needs at the breast or with a pacifier • Rocking or walking with them
• Taking them for a ride in the stroller or car
It is normal to want the crying to stop or to feel stressed while your baby cries for long periods of time. Sometimes we try everything we can think of and our baby continues to cry. These techniques will work most of the time, but nothing works every time and that is okay. Just remember that there is nothing wrong with you or your baby.

CRYING

Crying is the number one trigger leading caregivers to shake their baby. If you begin to feel helpless, frustrated or angry, allow yourself to take a break. Make sure your baby is in a safe place and let them briefly cry alone or ask someone you trust to take care of them while you take a break.

No matter how upset or angry you feel, remember that your baby is not trying to upset you and they will soon outgrow the constant crying. Contact the Partnership for additional resources and techniques for soothing your baby.

If you need emergency parenting support, contact:

REAL Crisis Intervention, Inc.
1011 Anderson Street
Greenville, NC 27858
252.758.4357
Hotline 252.758.HELP
realcrisis@embarqmail.com
www.realcrisis.org

Childhelp
Child Help Hotline
4350 East Camelback Road Building F250
Phoenix, AZ 85018
800.4.A.CHILD
www.childhelp.org

Prevent Child Abuse NC
3716 National Drive Suite 118
Raleigh, NC 27612
800.CHILDREN
919.829.8009
Info@preventchildabusenc.org
www.preventchildabusenc.org