If your baby cries every time you put her down, you're probably really stressed! But there are ways to get through it. Here's how a pediatrician and other moms recommend handling a baby who just hates to be away from mom.
Start With a Little Bit at a Time
"The parent's sanity always has to come first. No child — unless injured or sick — was harmed from just being put down while crying. It's okay for a stressed parent to put down the baby somewhere safe and step in next room to get themselves together. It's important with a younger child to make sure there's no wet diaper and the child isn't hungry — address the obvious things first — and if the child is still fussy and losing it, I like wrapping them up like a burrito and snuggling them closely. I was always a fan of getting them into a swing or car seat or, when they're older, in their pack-and-play where they could see me. Start with little bits at a time, talk to them, reassure them they're okay, do one thing, then come back and pick up the baby. Slowly start to build up the amount of time, so they learn to self-soothe a little bit." — Christina Johns, MD, MEd, FAAP, Senior Medical Advisor, PM Pediatrics, Lake Success, NY
Let the Housework Go
"I do the bare minimum to keep myself, my older child, and my dog clean, fed, and happy. My baby won't be a baby for long, so I will snuggle and nurse her as much as I can."
Pass the Baby
"Instead of fighting with an extremely fussy baby, I wait until my husband comes home. He will take over while I get a few more things done after I cook dinner."
Wear the Baby
"My last baby had very bad colic, acid reflux, the works. She was only content when held upright, so I got a very good baby carrier and she basically lived in that for the first few months. She was happy, and I had both hands free while I wore her in the carrier!"
Let Baby Cry Sometimes
"Put the baby down. Do what you've got to do. It won't hurt the kid to cry if they're fed, changed, and burped. You can't hold them 24/7 — there's stuff that has to be done."
Do It One-Handed
"I carry my baby in my right hand, and the left hand can do whatever job needs to be done in my house."
Try a Baby Swing
"A swing with lullaby music can be very helpful in this situation. The combination of the swinging and the music can help them to calm down quicker, especially if they can see you."
Use a Stroller Indoors
"I used a stroller so the baby could go room to room with me. Also a carrier [so] that I could hold her but have my hands free."
Wait Until Nap Time
"Do housework during nap time. Hold your baby all you can. I believe you can never hold your baby too much, and they are only small for a short time. Your house will still be there waiting to be cleaned."
Enlist Help
"Ask for help. No one should do this alone. Use your village."
*Disclaimer: The advice on CafeMom.com is not a substitute for consultation with a medical professional or treatment for a specific condition. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem without consulting a qualified professional. Please contact your health-care provider with questions and concerns.
