How to Make a Screaming Baby Stop Screaming

Today was one of THOSE days. You know, when it’s naptime and the baby will not sleep. We tried the warm bottle, the snuggling, but he just kept screaming.

I tried putting him down in the crib, just to let him cry it out and unwind. He just cried harder for twenty minutes straight.

I thought–hey, might be teething. So I gave him Infant Motrin and prayed it would kick in. Still more crying. I tried baby applesauce, his favorite, in case he was still hungry. Nope.

Tried the lullabye music and rocking him. Still screamed.

Tried the bottle again with more snuggling. Not happening.

Put him back in the crib, cranked up the music, and figured I’d rub his back for a while. He just looked at me, as if to say, “You know I’m not taking a nap today. It just won’t work.”

He was delirious with exhaustion. At 2:45 p.m. (an hour and 45 minutes of trying, I might add), I gave up. The kids were outside playing soccer, and we have a swingset that has a baby swing. Since it was in the shade, I put the baby in the swing and let him hang out there while my daughter and I weeded the lawn.

He was unconscious in fifteen minutes. Swear. He slept the whole time while we did yard work. No, not nearly long enough, but if I’d known this, I would have tried it an hour earlier. Or maybe a good stroller walk would have worked. I’m not sure whether the Motrin had finally kicked in, but either way, I’m keeping this one for future reference.

Little turkey.