Calming Down A Baby

I have always been shocked by the lack of concern of most people for a crying baby. Is it an effect of our culture? Babies are associated with the act of crying, thus, desensitizing people from being concerned. It seems that many think that babies just cry because they are babies. Yes, in a sense they are correct in that babies are crying because they are babies, but forgetting that it is their only way of communicating their discomfort, their hunger, their pain, or loneliness. Often newborns are left to cry with the idea that they will eventually stop. Indeed they do and by doing it have learned the hard way to be alone. This lesson will never be forgotten. Adult complaints of solitude may have no other origin. 


Here is how:

- Hold the baby in an upright position sitting on one of your forearms and resting against your thorax high enough as to have his head above your shoulder.
- Put your free hand on his back at thorax level and deliver regular and light finger impulses at the rate of your heartbeat.
- Talk with a slow calm voice, walk around and move your upper body in a slow regular motion, in synchrony to your gait and your respiration. - -

Crying babies respond to this in a surprising short time. Unless they are hungry or in pain,  you will notice their gradual muscle relaxation and repeated sudden respiratory sighs of relief as they fall asleep.