Mosquitos are an unpleasant nuisance and can ruin an enjoyable summer evening but they also carry West Nile which could be deadly especially to am infant. An ounce of prevention is much better than a infant howling with itchy red welts. Understanding what attracts mosquitoes is as important as understanding what repels them. Mosquitos like humidity such as perspiration and moist plants, dark clothing, carbon dioxide, floral scents, still air, early mornings or evenings and lactic acid which is released after exercising or eating salty or high-potassium foods. People who eat garlic are often not bothered by insects as much. Avoid taking your infant out at night and dump all old standing water such as rain barrels and items that have accumulated water.

You might want to try several of the suggestions below.

Yep, they cry and sometimes they cry a lot!  Caring for a fussy baby can be frustrating and can leave even the most self-confident parent feeling alone. 

Babies cry to communicate-they have to cry because there is no other way for a baby to talk.  They cry to tell you they hungry or thirty, uncomfortable, ill, bored, tired, scared or even lonely.  Some babies cry before bed or nap time just because they are very tired.  Sometimes they may be teething, have gas or colic but sometimes the answer is as simple as a diaper change or being picked up and cuddled.  It’s normal for babies to cry sometimes and some people even think it’s good for them.

Here’s some ideas on How to Calm a Crying Baby:

Check first for any physical needs-is the baby hungry, thirsty, need to be burped, too hot or too cold or is the diaper wet or dirty.

Check for signs of illness or fever.  If you think your baby is sick, seek medical attention immediately.

Try rocking the baby or hold the baby close and sway or bounce him.

Sing or talk to the baby in a soothing voice.

Gently rub or stroke the baby’s back, chest, head or tummy.

Offer a pacifier or try to distract the baby with a favorite or even new toy.

Swaddle the baby with a soft blanket

Turn on some music or any noise-even a vacuum cleaner or clothes dryer might work.

Take the baby for ride outside in a stroller or drive her around in a car seat. 

Try each of these things for a few minutes or a combination of a few together.  If nothing seems to work, it is OK to leave the baby in a safe place (like a crib) and take time to calm down yourself.   Just leave the room and perhaps shut the door.  Take a few deep breaths and relax.  Call a friend or a family member for support or help.  Remember it’s entirely normal for a baby to cry and it’s entirely normal to feel frustrated that you can’t comfort her immediately.

When my granddaughter was only a couple months old she learned to master the “army crawl.” I can describe this only as a moving forward in a wriggling sort-of motion. With the help of her knees and elbows, she would “wriggle’ her way little by little towards he goal destination. She was quite excited and so were we because now she could get to her favorite toys on her own.

The cats were less enthused.

We have all had our favorite stuffed animal, blanket, or constant take-along companion with us at point or the other. (Even if you don’t remember it, I bet your parents do!) Children especially infants take comfort in familiarity of non-mommy-daddy objects and this can be a great way to make your child comfortable no matter where you are!

Studies actually say that children who sleep with a constant “lovie” or an array of stuffed animals feel safer and sleep better, especially after making the move from an in-room bassinet or bedside sleeper into a crib. This is especially important if the crib is in it’s own separate room from where they are familiar sleeping.

In the hospital a nurse told us to take the baby into each room of the house slowly when you first bring them slowly so that they have a basic idea of the layout of the house. If the baby has spent a lot of time in your room or sleeping with you, experts recommend a gradual move to their own room, as a sudden change of routine can cause fear, panic, and stress.

If you are planning on moving your baby (and they are old enough to safely) be able to sleep in their own room the best thing to do is spend time in the room with your baby during the day. Playing with your child in the room will get him or her comfortable to the look and feel of the room. You can put the baby down into the crib intermittently, but make sure that you are near so that the child does not feel abandoned.

After a while your child will begin to feel comfortable in the crib, especially is surrounded by their familiar toys and blankets and will begin to enjoy playing alone for periods of time, which is good for mental development and aids independence and creativity down the road.

And even if baby has become too big to sleep in her bassinet, don’t just sell it or give it away just yet. The basinet is a GREAT personalized up-close to television seat and play area. I also move the bassinet with me when I blog so she is by the bed so that feels involved in what I’m doing rather than being ignored.

The more comfortable and loved a child feels the more independent and happy they will be and the easier it will be for them to adjust to new situations. So pour on the love. Good thing love doesn’t put on pounds like those part-partum cravings huh?