Soothing a Crying Baby

As a parent to a newborn, nothing is more frustrating than when your baby won’t stop crying. It’s important to keep calm when you are stressed and never shake your baby.

Crying is a normal part of infancy and it is okay to let your baby cry it out sometimes. Place him or her in a crib or safe, secure place and walk away for a few minutes. Make some tea, call a friend or take a moment to clear your mind.

If your baby cries for a prolonged period (more than three hours at a time) and cannot be consoled, he or she may have colic. Call 505-272-4866 to schedule an appointment with a UNM Health pediatrician for a diagnosis.

Shaken Baby Syndrome

It’s important to step away from your baby if you feel frustrated, angry or upset by the crying. While rare, some parents resort to shaking their baby, causing Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS). View a video on shaken baby syndrome to see how brain damage has affected real children and their families.

SBS Can Cause:

  • Blindness
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Hearing Loss
  • Paralysis
  • Seizures
  • Severe development delays
  • Speech or learning disabilities
  • Death

Symptoms of SBS:

  • Lethargy
  • Vomiting
  • Poor sucking or swallowing
  • Decreased appetite
  • Lack of smiling or vocalizing
  • Rigidity or seizures
  • Difficulty breathing
  • An inability to focus the eyes or track movement

Make an Appointment

Schedule an appointment with a UNM Health pediatrician. We can diagnose SBS, colic or any underlying health disorder causing your child to cry.

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