I Can't Handle My Baby's Crying Anymore

Decoding a baby’s cries doesn’t happen overnight, and unfortunately, there’s no magic trick to soothe them instantly. When crying is constant and exhaustion sets in, parents can feel helpless and overwhelmed. Facing a crying baby without a solution can make you lose control, but it's essential not to struggle alone.

“I’ve been home alone with my baby since my husband went back to work, and he cries all the time. I hold him, rock him, beg him to stop, but I can’t take it anymore. I feel useless, like I don’t know how to handle his crying fits. No matter what I do, nothing calms him down, except maybe the stroller—but I can’t imagine going out in the rain. I’m so exhausted that I asked my aunt to come over sometimes to give me a break because I feel like I’m at my limit.”
— Yulia, mom of Thomas, 2 months

I Don’t Understand My Baby

Giving birth is exhausting, and becoming a parent is challenging—especially for the first time. It’s completely normal to feel lost. Adjusting to life with a newborn doesn’t happen instantly. The fear of not being good enough, the lack of sleep, work responsibilities, and daily stress all build up, making a baby’s cries feel unbearable.

We’re Not Perfect, and That’s Okay

No one is a perfect parent from day one—parenting is a lifelong learning process. Not knowing how to calm a baby immediately is okay. Not understanding their cries right away is okay. What’s crucial is to let go of guilt and stop feeling like a failure for not getting everything right the first time.

It Takes Time to Identify Different Cries

With time, you’ll begin to recognize your baby’s different cries—whether they’re hungry, tired, in pain (colic, gas, digestion issues), need a diaper change, or just need comfort. Babies don’t instinctively feel safe outside the womb, so they may cry simply because they need to be held, cuddled, hear their parents’ voices, or be rocked.

Understanding "Crying for Release"

Sometimes, babies cry just to release emotions built up throughout the day. This can be frustrating for parents, who may feel helpless.

“Even after feeding, cuddling, and changing her, my baby starts crying uncontrollably every evening at 6 PM. I just can’t take it anymore. One night, when my husband came home, I handed her over and locked myself in the bathroom to cry, wondering what I had done wrong for her to refuse to calm down with me.”
— Ashley, mom of Marie, 1.5 months

Before Reaching Your Breaking Point

A Simple Breathing Exercise to Stay Calm

Before picking up your baby, try this simple sophrology exercise to calm your nerves and reduce stress:

1. Sit or stand with your eyes closed, hands placed on your ribs below your chest.
2. Inhale deeply through your nose, expanding your ribs as if inflating a balloon inside your belly.
3. Hold your breath for a few seconds and imagine putting all your stress into this "balloon."
4. Slowly exhale through your mouth, visualizing all negativity leaving your body.
5. Repeat two more times.

Observe how your heartbeat slows down, how calm settles in, and how tension eases.

If You Feel Overwhelmed, Take a Break

If the crying becomes too much, place your baby safely in their crib before frustration takes over. Never shake a baby—it can happen more easily than we think. If you feel like your head is going to explode, step outside for fresh air, breathe, or meditate for a couple of minutes. Your baby doesn’t need to be in the arms of an overwhelmed and frustrated parent. The calmer you are, the calmer your baby will be.

You’re not a robot, and feelings of exhaustion can become dangerous for both you and your baby. Maternal burnout is real, and it’s crucial to ask for help and talk about how you feel. Don’t go through it alone—reach out for support.