Managing your frustration

If you've tried everything to calm your baby and he or she is still crying but seems otherwise OK, take a deep breath. Unfortunately, getting tense or upset might only make your baby cry more.

To stay in control of the situation, you might:

• Take a timeout. If you're alone, put your baby in a safe place, such as the crib. Let your baby cry while you take a few minutes to regroup in another room. You might call a friend or loved one, have a cup of tea, take a shower, listen to a song, or meditate. Do what you can to calm yourself.
• Ask for help. Let your partner or another loved one take over for a while. Take advantage of babysitting offers from trusted friends or neighbors. Use the time to relax.