Question to Behavioural Management Systems
We have an 8 month old daughter who is very fussy. She cries whenever I put her down and won’t stop until I pick her up again. This happens all day long. I’m getting real tired of it. Please help me.
Answer:
Crying is your babies form of communicating. It is how she lets you know she is hungry, wet, dirty , tired, etc. It is vitally important that you respond appropriately to legitimate cries for help. However, it is possible to create a fussy, demanding baby by responding every time she cries. Babies are fully capable of learning how to manipulate mom and dad. When a new born infants cries parents need to respond and attempt to find the source of discomfort and resolve it. By the time a child is 8 months old, most parents can tell if a cry is communicating genuine distress or simply a desire to be picked up . Picking up an 8 month old baby every time she cries is teaching her a lesson you do not want her to learn. Do not be afraid to let an 8 month old baby cry for a reasonable amount of time when you know by the tone that there is no significant problem that needs to be resolved. You want the child to learn how to self soothe and responding immediately to an OLDER baby’s every whimper is counter productive.