Many new parents are faced with the challenge of figuring out what to do when their baby gets angry. A great place to start with your angry baby is by making sure they have a clean diaper. If this does not work, you can try laying them in a calm area and letting them cry for a few minutes.
Babies are sensitive to their surroundings and they will react accordingly to what’s happening around them. It can be frustrating and exhausting, but there are things you can do to help your little one calm down. How to handle a fussy baby? Many things can cause an infant to be angry. Whether it is hunger, thirst, or just a bad mood, there can be endless reasons for crying and screaming. In this blog post, we will give information on how to deal with a fussy baby? And what signs or causes when your baby gets angry.
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How to cope with a fussy baby?
For dealing with an angry baby there are many things you can do. Sometimes their anger is just a call for attention. If this is the case, give them lots of hugs and kisses. But if it seems like their anger is more than that of normal baby tantrums. Then try some of the following ways to stay calm down.
1. By improving verbal communication
If your baby is not yet talking, use other ways to communicate. There are many techniques you can practice with your child. For example, you can point at something or draw a picture of it on paper for them to understand what you’re saying. Sometimes baby’s cries for attention and become fussy. In that case, try to keep a distance from your baby and let them calm down. You might need little practice to get the hang of it. But babies are usually pretty good at communicating with their body language.
2. By setting anger rules
For handling fussy babies it is best to create a set of rules that you can hold them by. A good rule of thumb is an angry baby should only get one warning, and then it’s time out for them. When your baby is crying because they are angry, you have to be prepared for a one-sided conversation. If the baby continues acting out, it is time for a break and time out. As well as preventing sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS. during sleep, time out also teaches your baby that their behavior isn’t acceptable. It allows them to take a break from the action and calm down.
3. Redirecting anger
If your baby is furious at one thing then he or she will be calm if you do something that redirects the anger elsewhere. This could be you carrying them around for a while. Or even putting on some music can work, anything to keep their mind off what they are angry about. Usually in anger baby cry to let the people around them know that they are angry. But when they are carried around in the arms of their parents. And then in a while your baby will end up in a better mood.
4. By showing empathy
If you show proper empathy, the baby will feel like they are not alone and often their anger will subside. You can also use a few calming techniques to not let babies cry because of anger. As well as a fussy infant can easily be calmed by a few simple calming methods. If you want to deal with an angry baby try to avoid them crying. Instead offer a few soothing options to keep your baby calm and happy.
5. Set a daily routine
It is very important to keep your baby on a schedule. Try and make them follow the same schedule every day, like their nap time and feeding times, etc. Also, try and avoid changing them within a short period as this will lead to the baby’s fussiness. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies are more likely to get fussy when babies wet their diapers, are hungry or are physically tired. So, it’s up to you to set a daily routine and follow them and help your baby in coping with their needs.
6. By providing good sleeping environment
Usually babies cry more while sleeping or sometimes do not get sleep longer. So it is important to make them fall asleep well and provide a comfortable environment. Like, try to avoid loud music during bedtime and keep the room dark for peaceful sleep. Hence, handling a crying baby is not that difficult, but it is important to know the etiology of anger in babies. And about the same layers of bedding on their crib mattress will be more pleasant for the baby.
7. Finding triggers
It is essential to understand why your child becomes so angry. Knowing the reason behind the anger and coping with it accordingly brings you closer to finding a way out. The triggers can be- Being given too many things at one time, feeling overstimulated, not having enough rest, or hunger. To find out what that trigger is try setting up a schedule.
So that you know when the tantrums happen and how much they last. If you find out what triggers it, it is possible to avoid them in the future. And when a baby cries suddenly after a nap then gently rub their back and give them emotional support.
8. By identifying the safe spot
Find a safe spot in your home where you can place them for some time. This could be the changing table, mattresses, or even a crib. A corner of the room can also work fine if that is not too chaotic and is generally free. Sometimes crying babies are not necessarily angry. They might be trying to communicate with you. So by identifying what they want and where they want to go. It will help a lot in managing the situation better.
What’s the sign of anger in baby?
It is a sad fact that every child goes through periods in which he or she cannot control his or her feelings of anger. However, many infants have a natural tendency to express their displeasure at being unable to do something by crying spell. As the baby gets older, they learn more ways of expressing anger. And below you find these signs of anger in a baby.
1. Crying
Baby crying is a early signs of anger, it may also indicate that babies have different reasons for crying. Tiny infants who are just learning to control bodily functions. Such as going to the bathroom or being hungry, may cry because they cannot do it themselves yet. How to handle cranky baby? A crying baby may be a sign of pain or discomfort too. But it is a fact that babies cry when they are angry as well. It’s also a common behavior in some infants to express their anger through crying.
2. Screaming
When a baby is angry, they will scream like crazy. As we said above a babies cry when they are tired or hungry. The abnormal crying or sobbing can make any parent and family member feel even more irritated. And this leads to an outburst, which only makes the whole situation worse. According to a healthcare provider, babies are born with varying degrees of emotions. When babies become angry, their tears are different from the ones that are due to physical discomfort or hunger.
3. Hitting and Kicking
Many babies choose to hit or kick when they are angry. They may not know what else to do. This behavior usually lessens over time, but never disappears completely. When this type of aggression occurs regularly, it’s a good idea to talk with your child’s doctor. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies are more likely to hit or kick when they are tired or hungry. Sometimes a dirty diaper of your baby can also be the reason for these frustrations.
4. Stomping
Though one of the signs that a baby is angry is stomping around, or his or her feet slamming into the floor. This is primarily an instinctual response to frustration and anger. You may notice this behavior when your little one has been woken up from a nap and is having difficulty settling down again for sleep. The baby’s cues are to wake up fully and quickly, so he or she stomps around the house crying. The best way to deal with this behavior is to remain calm, stay close by during your baby’s waking period. And gently encourage him or her back to sleep.
5. Pulling and shoving
At this age, the baby is too young to understand how to express anger in words. So you can see them as they start pushing and pulling things around aggressively. It’s not unusual for a baby cries to increase as they learn how to use their newly-acquired arm and leg muscles. Try distracting the baby with a toy, or walking away from them. If you attempt to stop this behavior right away by telling him “no” he’ll simply learn that. And the only way to get away with this behavior is while you’re watching.
What causes baby irritability?
Babies may be fussy when they have been crying a lot or when their sleep has been disrupted. A baby’s feeding schedule, sleeping schedule, and own diet can play a role in how often they are unsettled. Most babies to grow and develop optimally. And parents should find the cause of the fussiness and seek professional help to determine the best way of treating it. Below you will find some common causes why your baby behaves like this and they are
1. Lack of sleep
This is a common cause of why babies show irritability. If your baby isn’t sleeping well, they may be very tired and grumpy. Most babies need more than three hours of sleep during the day and about 10-12 hours at night. Many parents find that their baby starts sleeping better when they settle into a routine. They also find that breastfeeding and rocking chair before bed makes the baby more sleepy and calmer. It’s helpful to make sure your baby takes good naps during the day.
2. Temperamental differences
Babies are born with different temperaments. A baby’s temperament is made up of inborn characteristics that influence how a baby responds to people and events. Babies whose mothers have depression or anxiety tend to be fussier than other babies. Probably because they are distressed by being separated from their mother during the day. Well, take a deep breath and hold back your emotions while you try these effective ways to calm down a fussy baby.
3. Hunger
Sometimes a baby can be very cranky, especially in the afternoon and evening hours, because they’re hungry. This is why parents need to know their baby’s eating pattern. And should feed them as soon as they see a sign of hunger. Therefore, hunger is the main cause of irritability for a baby. The best way to deal with this is to feed your baby shortly after you notice that they are hungry.
4. Environment
Babies find irregular changes in their environment unsettling. Therefore, it is important to keep a routine when dealing with a fussy baby. Parents should also remember to not overstimulate them and to pay attention to their environment. So that parents can make the best decisions for their children. For their nervous system to mature, a baby must be in a calm and familiar environment with a consistent schedule.
5. Frustration
Babies startle or cry when they are frustrated or feel uncomfortable. For example, if your baby is used to taking a bottle at 5 p.m., but you need to bath them first. They might be fussy for the next two hours waiting for that feeding time. It may take some trial and error on your part to learn how to keep your baby happy. Frustration is not always easily recognized in an infant, but it is the most common cause of tantrums.
The conclusion!!
When dealing with a fussy baby, it is important to be patient and understanding. It may take some time for you or your partner to figure out what the little one needs in order to feel better. People have many different opinions on how to handle a crying baby.
Some people believe that they should be left alone and allowed to cry. While others think it is important for parents to provide some form of physical contact as soon as the baby begins crying. The best way to deal with an angry baby is by understanding how their brain works. If you can identify the cause of their anger and address it, you’ll be able to calm them down much easier. However, share your experience how you dealing with your baby anger through a comment section below.
