Baby Cries When Put Down: What the Reason Is and How to Deal with It
One of the perceived reactions common among babies when their parents leave them alone or when they are laying the baby down to have a sleep is the crying of the baby. The tears can be endless to a point when most caregivers become frustrated, confused, or even helpless. However, what is the reason behind this and what can the parents do to cater to the situation? This blog will look at why babies cry when being placed down and investigate what the experts suggest in dealing with this situation as well provide some suggestions on how parents can calm their babies without having to worry about their health and well-being.
Why Babies Cry when being laid down: Why this happens.
Any parent will be familiar with this situation when the baby is almost still as can be, in their arms and as soon as they are put down, almost instantly, they start crying. This crippling behavior is disturbing to both a baby and a caregiver.
When put down, babies cry as they tend to require some comfort, warmth, and a feeling of safety. These feelings are made possible by being held by the parent and thus when separation occurs, they may become vulnerable or even scared. Pediatricians believe that it is a normal reaction because the babies are still learning to be autonomous and connected.
Pediatrician Dr. Rachel Hyde of Children Hospital explains that infants require comfort and security provided by the caregivers, this is the reason why infants cry when they are placed down. Parents should realize that it is not a manipulation, but it is an instinct.
The Attachment Role in Crying of Baby
The attachment to the primary providers is one of the determinants in the way a baby reacts after being laid down. Attachments occur in the first year of life and these attachments play major roles in the emotional and psychological growth of the babies. The brain of the baby is trying to sort out all the things that they feel and connect with the individuals around them. Holding baby makes them feel safe and relaxed which strengthens the connection between parent and baby.
This attachment is quite high to an extent when this baby is put down, he/she may end up becoming stressed or anxious. Babies are not held to feel comfortable; the parent communicates to the baby that he is or she is present and thus safe by holding them. They can cry when they want to depict that they need this connection when they are put down.
Crying and Stages of Development
As the babies develop, the way they perceive the world and the way they feel also evolves. Infants, like in the case of the new born infant are utterly helpless and rely on others to provide them with all these needs and emotions. At 4-6 months of age, even though babies are still very dependent on their caregivers, they start to learn to control their emotions.
The crying at the early stages of life is the only method that the babies can use in an attempt to indicate that they need some assistance. But later on as they age they would tend to cry less and start exhibiting other forms of distress or wants. Nonetheless, crying on laying down may persist until either the infant gets the skills of self-distraction or gets better used to sleeping independently.
Expert Tips on What to do When Your Baby is crying
We may now be a step closer to the right direction by knowing the cause of why your baby cries when she is put down but it is also good to know how to deal with it. Pediatricians and child development specialists provide a number of suggestions for the parent so that he or she can react in an adequate way.
According to Dr. Hyde, balance is needed by providing a comfort, as well as the promotion of independent sleep practices to your baby. The transition may be made through gradual sleep training procedures to make the transition, and ensure that you are keen in applying whatever methods you use.”
Slow Sleep Training: Come on, Get Your Own!
It is common to recommend the use of sleep training activities to make the babies become independent with respect to their sleeping abilities. Although the concept of leaving a baby to sleep himself when he is crying can sound cruel, the specialists suggest a reducing program. The aim is to allow the baby to learn to calm him/herself down without the caregiver being with him/her every time.
Some of the most recognised sleep training measures include the Ferber method and No Tears method. Ferber method implies letting the baby cry as much as possible and even more with each new period of time passing by and then finally reassuring the baby. Conversely, the No Tears approach emphasizes the continual decreasing of parental involvement through the use of carrying the baby (though this is done through calm transition rather than lifting the baby).
Consistency is of the utmost importance.
No matter the method of sleep training that is adopted consistency is important. Babies also live on schedules and having an idea of what is coming can make them feel safe. It can be really tempting to jump up and attend to the baby when she cries and you will want to react especially when it is during the night hours but maintaining a regular bed time routine and sleep cycle will allow the baby to understand when to go to bed and when to get up.
Specialists suggest creating a pre-bedtime ritual, so the infant forms linkages between some activities and sleepiness, e.g., by taking a relaxed bath, being rocked in a rocking chair or reading a book. In the long run, such consistency aids in lessening anxiety and even enables the baby to avoid crying when he/she is put to sleep.
Is cries it safe to leave babies crying when laying them down?
Such a factor as permission to allow letting the babies cry down is one of the most frequently worried about factors by parents. When parents hear their child crying even temporarily, many of them feel guilty and some of them even know that it is not dangerous at all since the crying is Sometimes allowed within reasonable limits. Nevertheless, the difference between the normal and distressed cry should be included.
According to Dr. Hyde, it is normal that babies should be allowed to cry temporarily because it is part of their development. The change in tone and intensity of the crying has to be listened to carefully though. In case you are too much concerned about them or there is a tendency of the baby to be too upset, it is always better to look at them.
Comfort and Reassurance The Role of Comfort and Reassurance
Although sleep training is an efficient process to some of the parents, we should not rule out the functions of comfort and assurance altogether. Emotional health of the baby is above all and when they are angry, it is better to calm them down to build trust and safety in them. Craddling, swaying or giving the pacifier may give the baby direct relief and enable the baby to relax.
One should not forget the fact that cries are the means which a baby has to express something. Not to manipulate and to annoy but to communicate a need would be the design of them. Responding to the child with a patient and compassionate attitude can do much to ensure building a strong bond and establishing a sense of safety.
Tips on How the Parent can Control the Crying
Parenting is already hard and it is normal to get impatient when the crying issue of a baby comes up. The following are some more tips that parents can follow in order to get to the task of getting the baby to bed without too much crying:
- Begin with regular sleeping: Babies love routine and having a routine will help them know what to expect.
- Be patient with the process: In case of sleep training, take gradual measures. You will not see the results right away.
- Comfort without getting the baby: In some cases, all that is needed is some patting or some kind platitudes to calm the baby.
- Prepare a calm sleep setting: Low light, calm music, a comfortable crib will inform the babies that they are to go to sleep.
Summary: The Baby and its Crying
When babies are placed down, it is not an uncommon occurrence to have them crying and this is normal given the early years of their existence. Their cries choose to be their mode of communication to express to their need to be comforted, feeling secure and affinity. When parents become aware of this then they can look at the situation with understanding and patience and can educate their little ones slowly to be less dependent.
Parents can assist their babies and make them adapt to independent sleep over time via sleep training, assuring them with comfort, or establishing a relaxing setting. Above all, parents need to have a sense of consistency yet be sensitive to emotional needs of their baby. It will take time but gradually the baby will be used to sleeping alone and crying will reduce. It is a trip that involves patience, love, and comprehension.
Through these measures, the parents will not only be able to deal with the somewhat tough yet in all natural process of having to cope with a baby who cries when placed down, but will also be able to instill independence and attachment in their child.
