It's very difficult for parents when baby cries a lot. Knowing how to deal with it and look after yourself is an important first step.

Read the supporting information on crying for more help on this topic.

In the Whakatipu booklet Te Pihinga 1, look at the cork board poster called ‘Crying, crying and more crying’ (page 11) with the whānau.

Under ‘Check pēpi’, read the reasons why pēpi might be crying.

Ask the whānau:

  • What is this page trying to tell parents?
  • When your baby is crying, how do you work out what’s causing their tears?
  • What have you noticed about their cries?
  • Do they have different types of cries?
  • Why do you think pēpi is soothed by being held and walked with?

Together, look at the ideas under ‘Try’.

  • Have there been times when you couldn’t soothe baby or stop their crying?
  • What did you do?
  • Did it work?
  • Have you used any of the ideas suggested here?
  • What else do you do when baby is hard to comfort?

When everyone’s crying

It can be very upsetting for parents when they can’t soothe their baby. And for parents who have a number of young children, it seems like everyone is crying at the same time. This can be very stressful.

  • Have you ever had times when you don’t know who to soothe first?
  • What are your coping strategies when you feel like you’re starting to lose it?
  • Do you think the baby senses when you’re feeling stressed?
  • What do they do?
  • What would you suggest for other parents who have a baby that cries a lot?

Helpful resources for whānau