Baby crying
Baby crying is one of the hardest things parents experience, especially if the crying happens a lot and doesn't settle easily. Sometimes baby crying is diagnosed as colic (when babies cry for more than 3 hours, on 3 days or more, in 3 weeks - the rule of 3s). After 30+ years of research, colic is still not well understood. It becomes really important to support parents (as well as babies) during this challenging time.
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Breathing through crying
Your baby is crying
You notice yourself getting stressed
Take some deep breaths
Feel the breath going down into your tummy
Play some calm music on your phone
Walk around with your baby, breathing along to the music you love
If you need a break, put your baby down somewhere safe and walk away for a few minutes until you feel calmer.
The science-y blurb!
Breathing in our tummies along to some calm music can help our bodies settle down. It’s a similar type of breathing to when we’re asleep. Fast shallow breathing gets our bodies ready to fight or run – our survival mode. Not great if we are trying to be calm! Happy breathing!
White noise!
Your baby is crying (again)
You pop on the white noise track
Fingers crossed it might help!
Click HERE for a link to 8 hours of uninterrupted white noise!
The science-y blurb!
In 2 recent research studies, white noise helped babies to stop crying quicker than just rocking them. The researchers said to place phones or speakers a metre or so away from our babies’ ears with the volume the same as a soft shower.
Or the hoover suddenly becomes
your friend!!
Baby karaoke!
Your baby is crying and you notice your
stress levels rising
You pick up your baby and let them know you’ve heard them
Try walking around and singing along with the words and tune of one of your favourite songs – with a nice beat! Not too loud!
Try slowing down a bit – slow your walk and slow your song
See if you can slow down a bit more?
If you need a break, put your baby down somewhere safe and walk away for a few minutes until you feel calmer.
The science-y blurb!
When our babies are born they can’t regulate their feelings at all and they need us to do it for them. That's really hard sometimes. The latest research says that helping little babies to stop crying helps them cry less as toddlers. Phew!
My favourite playlist
Do you have a favourite group or
music artist?
Maybe you love the latest chart-topping music?
Maybe you love to sing along with your favourite anthems?
Maybe you love alternative music, gospel, folk, classical, reggae, so much to
choose from!
How about having a playlist on your phone that helps you feel better, especially on a tough day?
The science-y blurb!
The latest music research shows that listening to music is really helping parents and carers with their sense of mental wellbeing. Pop music seems to be listened to most although lots of different types of music work too. Music reduces anxiety, helps lift our mood, and even lowers blood pressure. Who knew?!
Turn the volume down!
Is your baby's crying just too loud to bear?
In our research, parents told us that the volume really mattered
How about popping in some soft earplugs?
You are still there for your baby, and can still hear them, but the crying is now quieter
Parents have also told us that they would put one in-ear headphone in and listen to nice music to distract them
After all, babies don't have volume control!
The science-y blurb!
Crying that doesn't stop easily is one of the hardest things parents and carers have to deal with. Sometimes, babies are diagnosed with colic (3 hours of crying, for 3 or more days, over 3 or more weeks - the rule of 3s). Some babies cry and are not diagnosed with colic because even after more than 30 years of research, colic is still not well-understood. Always trust your instincts and get help for your baby if they won't stop crying and take a break if you need to.
Right-and-left brain music
Our baby's crying can be very distressing
for us and we can find it very difficult to cope at times
This distress can grow and grow as we get more and more tired
Some people find a special type of music helpful: bi-lateral music stimulation
This music can help reduce feelings of distress and stress
Search for bi-lateral music or click HERE for an example - happy listening!
The science-y blurb!
The science on bi-lateral music stimulation is still new but many people report feeling much calmer after listening to it and there are no reported harmful effects at the moment.
Maybe it's worth a (careful) try because even if it just distracts us from the crying, that in itself might be a help.
You're amazing, just the way you are!
How about listening to this song and really focusing on the words. You might think that this is the song you would sing to your baby. How about realising that it's the song your baby sings to YOU!!!
For the song and lyrics
please click HERE!
The science-y blurb!
In 2023, top journal Nature published a study showing that 6-month old babies preferred their mothers' faces to strangers' faces, and that this was associated with quicker recovery from distress at 9-months. Given separate evidence that babies' prefer the face of their main caregiver, let's assume that other parental figures are amazing just the way they are too!
Music to bust stress hormones!
2 hours of uninterrupted baby sleep music inspired by the sights and sounds of the African savanna.
To comfort parents, carers, and babies, and hopefully lull everyone to sleep!
Please click HERE!
The science-y blurb!
Music triggers the release of dopamine which can boost feelings of wellbeing (it may also help manage pain!) Music also decreases levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Try relaxing or slow music (around 60-80 beats per minute) to help everyone sleep. Play at the volume of a soft shower with speakers at least a metre from babies' little ears.
Ooo child, things are gonna to get better
This 1970 soul hit from the Five Fairsteps captures a parent telling their little one that things are going to get better.
We hope this can bring comfort and hope, whatever's happening for you at the moment. We're not trying to minimise how tough things can get, just to send a musical hug. Music and lyrics below.
Please click HERE!
The science-y blurb!
In numerous research studies, the lyrics of music are found to be comforting to listeners. Youth Music's 2023 study found that 73% of the 16-24s surveyed found listening to, reading, or writing lyrics helped them process difficult feelings and emotions. How amazing is that!
Background music
Have you ever noticed music playing in the background when you are out and about? Maybe during a shopping trip, or in a waiting room. Some of us might put music on when we work or exercise. Music even plays when we're put on hold during a call!
The science-y blurb!
A recent research review in 2022 found that background music generally reduces the anxiety levels of patients in doctors' and hospital waiting rooms. Many of the studies recommend music of 60-72 beats per minute, with no lyrics, and a consistent rhythm. We reckon it might be worth a try at home, especially if we can't get out easily with little ones. That speed sounds very much like an average heart rate!
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