My Mom gave me great insight into baby cries (she has raised a bunch of us). In the midst of all the screaming, reddened faces, pained faces, and kicking is a little person trying to express himself the only way that he knows how. The main point is, MOST crying is helpful for a parent. Until he becomes more adept at communication and eloquent with his choice of words it's what you've got to work with.
NOTE: Not all babies develop this level of sophistication, ever. Oz and I were watching Jerry Springer the other day. "Dad", he said, "those babies are humongous and they're still throwing tantrums. Do they need a binky?".
O.K. he didn't really say it, but I could tell what he was thinking.
Anyway, newborn needs are pretty straighforward. Food, sleep, clean/dry clothes, love from mom and dad, and the occassional gas bubble. Most of the time we can figure out what he is trying to tell us and help him out.
Sometimes, however, he might get so worked up that he upsets himself from being so upset. When that happens we have found relief in the following techniques:
Baby Bondage - For the first 3 months, babies like to be tied up TIGHTLY in a swaddle blanket. Kiddopotomus is a company that makes swaddling wraps with velcro that work excellently, still nothing compares to a nice soft blanket tied firmly around your childs arms and legs to make them feel like they are tucked back in the womb. It really works wonders.
The Flip Side - Gently flip your child on his side (Oz likes the right side) so that his body is cradled in a football hold and his head is resting on your opposite palm. Within seconds he will be staring into the distance as calm as a Hindu cow.Out shooosh your Baby - When he wails on shoosh in his ear as loudly, or louder, than his cries. This mimics the sound of the mother's circluation in the womb. Don't be afraid to get right up next to his ear so that you can overcome the intensity of his cries. If you have ever heard a doppler exam of your baby in the womb, it sounds like a vacuum cleaner.
Keep on Rockin', Wigglin' and Jigglin' - Oz likes to be swayed gently or jiggled. Repetitive motions like these are great once he has already started calming. Lauren's mother introduced us to the 'Rumble Seat' technique during her visit (see vid clips to the right). Place your child across your knees and on his stomach and move your legs Shakira-style. I think this one surpises more than sooths since the experience has got to be very exciting for the child. Either way the wails stop and you get a good calorie burn from your quads, gluts, and calf muscles.
When techniques fail there is some great Baby Tech out there to try out. Some tried and true favorites and some other more novel inventions:
The Pacifier - It works. We were afraid that it might interfere with his breastfeeding so we were reluctant to try this at first. After a day or cying, that concern went out the window. We ordered 10, he loves them and since no milk comes out of them Oz doesn't seem to be confused about eating at all.
Baby Recliners - Like every good man, Oz loves his Vibro-Recliner (courtesy of Kurt and Linda Swenson) set up in the living room after a long, demanding day of being a baby where he can curl up in a warm blanket, assess his kingdom, and dream of boobs.
Swings and Rockers - We'ver heard many of our friends preach the wonders of the swings and things. Oz likes his just fine, but we rarely even turn it on.
IF ALL ELSE FAILS TRY:
Whiskey - For Dad, not for baby. It doesn't always calm him down, but it does calm you down and babies can sense fear and anxiety in parents. They prey off of it. Whiskey also helps deaden the sting from an ear piercing wail.
NOTE: this technique should not be used while operating heavy machinery. It is not a good idea to take your infant to a bar, so try to keep your liquor cabinet stocked.
Good luck. Baby Force over and out.
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