July 5, 2008
Cry Baby
How to Handle a Cry Baby
You must have encountered at some time or other children who bawl at the slightest pretext and kick up a fuss for almost anything and everything. On the other hand, there are babies who will smile all day long adjusting to all types of circumstances that life offers them. What makes some children so well behaved and others total cry babies?
Your Reactions Can Control a Cry Baby
Basically, when an infant cries, it needs something. This is their way of communicating with their parents; this is the only way they can attract attention. What you need to do when you find your baby crying is check to see the reason and take the necessary action. This would help you and the baby work out perfect synchronization and this should become an ideal solution to prolonged crying episodes.
Often, parents in their anxiety to help the baby, pick him or her up the moment he or she cries. This encourages the infant right from the start to use crying as weapon instead of communication method. The more extra attention you pay while the baby wails the more of a cry baby it will become. This is because your behavior acts as positive reinforcement of wrong behavior.
Now, as the baby grows, it will use the same tactics that he/she learnt in infancy to get things done. Everyone knows how manipulative small children can be to get what they want. As soon as they realize what works best, they will use that particular methods to blackmail you into giving in to their demands everytime they want something.
Tantrums
This is why some babies become experts at throwing tantrums. The moment you ignore the tantrums, or dole out some punishment, the tantrums will end as if by magic. This is because they will understand that the method does not work any longer. This is exactly how to handle a cry baby.
When you find that the baby behaves unreasonably, ignore whatever it does as he/she tries to get your attention. Let him/her cry, throw tantrums, do whatever they want in their utmost extreme (as long as they do not hurt themselves). Once, they will realize that you are not impressed; rather this behavior invites punishment (by stopping their access to some enjoyment they have, like playing with friends, seeing TV, playing video games, etc). They will cease any further nonsense and try to develop new ways to communicate and negotiate with you.
This is when a cry baby will turn a new leaf, and if encouraged in the right way, they will become well behaved and well adjusted adults.
Filed under Babies by admin
