1. Soothing a Crying Infant
Unit Two, Lesson Two - Soothing a Crying Infant

2. Why Do Infants Cry? An infant may cry because he or she…
is hungry
wants to suck (pacifier/finger)
is too hot or cold
has diaper rash
is tired
has colic
is reacting to caregiver’s stress
is bored and needs attention
needs to burp
needs a diaper change
is getting sick and cranky
is teething
is over-stimulated
has gas pains
is in pain
needs to be held and comforted
OR…it is just that time of day!
Unit Two, Lesson Two - Soothing a Crying Infant

3. Why Do Infants Cry? (cont.)
Many reasons…it is their only way to communicate!
Feeling
You say:
Infant says:
Hunger
“When is dinner? I’m starved.”
“Waaa!”
Boredom
“What is there to do? I’m bored.”
Over-stimulation
“I need some alone time.”
Tired
“I have had a long day. I need some sleep.”
Pain
“Ouch. This shirt label is scratching my neck.”
Infants cry an average of two to three hours per day.
Twenty to thirty percent cry more than two to three hours per day.
Unit Two, Lesson Two - Soothing a Crying Infant

4. Crying and Visual Cues Cry Cry sound Visual cues Hungry cry
Short continuous bursts
Hands in mouth, rooting (head turns to side)
Tired cry
Whimper, gradually turning into loud, distressed cries
Looks away, rubs eyes, eyes droopy, yawning
Pain cry
Short, high pitched piercing wail; breathing stops then wail starts again
Facial grimaces, bearing down
Discomfort cry
Forceful bursts on and off
N/A
Fussy cry
Whimpers in short bursts
Note: These are guidelines only.
Unit Two, Lesson Two - Soothing a Crying Infant

5. Common Crying Behavior
The National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome (NCSBS) coined the acronym PURPLE™ for the:
Peak
Unpredictable
Resistant
Painful-looking
Lengthy
Evening
…crying of a typical, healthy infant.1
1 “The Period of PURPLE Crying” is a trademark of the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome. (2003). The Period of PURPLE™ Crying. [Brochure]
Unit Two, Lesson Two - Soothing a Crying Infant

6. Common Crying Behavior (cont.)
Many healthy infants show PURPLE™ crying behavior:
Crying reaches its peak frequency and duration at two months of age
Crying is unpredictable and may start and stop without obvious cause
Crying can be resistant to all efforts to comfort
Infant may appear to be in pain, with knees pulled up and painful expression
Crying can be very lengthy and may continue for a half-hour or longer
Late afternoon and evening are often the times when crying is the loudest and longest
Unit Two, Lesson Two - Soothing a Crying Infant

7. What To Do Respond right away Address obvious possibilities
Avoid infant working him/herself into a frenzy
You usually find out what is wrong
Remember: You cannot spoil an infant
Address obvious possibilities
Hungry: Feed
Dirty diaper: Change
Air/Gas: Burp
Needs attention: Hold
Cold/Hot: Wrap up/remove excess clothing and/or blankets
Needs to suck: Give pacifier or clean finger
Unit Two, Lesson Two - Soothing a Crying Infant

8. Responding To An Infant’s Cry
The 5 S’s of Soothing an Infant by Dr. Harvey Karp, M.D.
Techniques especially helpful in the first three months:
Swaddling
Side/Stomach
Shushing
Swinging
Sucking
Unit Two, Lesson Two - Soothing a Crying Infant

9. Swaddling Especially helpful when calming to prepare for sleeping
Like being in the womb (small, warm, cozy)
Unit Two, Lesson Two - Soothing a Crying Infant

10. Swaddling Steps Fold one corner of the blanket down.
Place the infant’s head in the middle of the fold.
Pull the left side across the infant's chest.
Lift the infant’s left arm and tuck the blanket under the body.
Bring the bottom of the blanket up and tuck it into the first swathe.
Pull the last corner of the blanket across the infant’s chest, securing the left arm near the body.
Tuck the blanket under the infant’s back as far as it will go.
Unit Two, Lesson Two - Soothing a Crying Infant

11. Side/Stomach Hold the infant on the side
Helps the infant feel secure and supported
Left side aids in digestion
Unit Two, Lesson Two - Soothing a Crying Infant

12. Shhhhhhh
“Shhh” into the infant’s ear, loud enough to hear over own crying
Other calming noises to try:
Clothes dryer
Dishwasher
Hair dryer
Fan
Vacuum
Running water
CD with “white noise” (e.g. ocean waves)
Unit Two, Lesson Two - Soothing a Crying Infant

13. Swinging Movement similar to being in the womb
Back and forth more than side to side:
Rock in rocking chair or baby swing
Ride in stroller or baby sling (or other wearable carrier)
Unit Two, Lesson Two - Soothing a Crying Infant

14. Sucking Give the infant something to suck on: Calms the infant
Pacifier
Clean finger
Mother’s breast
Bottle
Calms the infant
Use with other techniques
Unit Two, Lesson Two - Soothing a Crying Infant

15. More Ideas Sing or play soothing music to distract the infant
Show the infant something to look at
Give the infant a warm bath
Rock the infant gently
Put the infant in a new position and gently pat or rub the infant’s back
Run a vacuum cleaner nearby the infant
Take the infant for a walk in the stroller
Carry the infant around with you
Put the infant in an infant seat and play peek-a-boo or a clapping game
Unit Two, Lesson Two - Soothing a Crying Infant