Once your new baby settles down in her crib for the night, you can switch on the monitor and (finally) get yourself into bed. But when the nighttime sobbing begins, you’re up again, sleepily trying to understand what your baby’s crying means. Don’t worry if you’re feeling confused, as deciphering your infant’s whimpers -- and shrieks! -- takes a little practice. Read on for tips on what her cries mean and advice on what to do when you hear the sobbing start.

Baby crying tip number 1: Don’t panic.
Your baby’s crying is very normal and expected -- newborns can howl up to four hours a day! Try not to take tears personally; crying is the only way your baby can communicate with you. However, if your infant is under 4 months old, her nighttime crying is probably a call to be fed.

Baby crying tip number 2: Know that noise is normal.
Because babies have a longer active (or REM) sleep state, they won’t enter many periods of deep slumber. Your new baby might make all kinds of noises during this phase (squeaks, a scream, and some crying) and might even wake herself up. When you hear her squawk over the monitor, wait a few minutes before going to her, since she may fall back to sleep on her own.

Baby crying tip number 3: Pay attention to the cries. After some experience, a new mom can often distinguish a hunger cry from one that means “I’m mad” or “I’m uncomfortable.” A hunger cry is often short and low in pitch, rising and falling over time. A cry of discomfort can be loud and screechy (she might have a full diaper, gas pains, or her clothing could be itchy or pinching in some way).

Baby crying tip number 4: Don’t rush in.
Sudden nighttime crying is often just a one-off shriek or two, unrelated to hunger or a wet diaper. Again, wait a couple of minutes before going into her room. Your baby’s crying may just be a way of letting off steam. The cries may also be for comfort, as a way of settling down for the night. Unless she’s weeping hard, hold off on getting her.

No mother wants to hear her baby crying, but discovering what nighttime tears really mean can be of great comfort to a new mom. Soon your new baby will sleep through the night without making a peep, and you may be tempted to rush in to see why she’s so quiet.

Photo by Zach Kadolph on Unsplash

You probably have the at-home feeding routine down to an art. You know exactly how long to heat the bottle, have your baby food jars nicely organized, and have a high chair on hand to help feedings go smoothly. But traveling with your baby can turn any baby meal into a messy, tricky task. Here are five ways to make it less of a hassle.

Practice serving at room temperature.
Chances are you won’t always have access to a microwave when you and your baby travel. If your little one is used to eating warm baby food, start incorporating room-temperature meals into her routine before your trip. That way, she won’t reject the unexpectedly cool food on travel day.

Know the security rules.
If you plan right, getting through the airport security line with your baby food doesn’t have to take forever. That’s because baby food and formula, breast milk, and juice are exempt from the Travel Security Association’s rule stating that liquids and gels carried onboard must be less than 3.4 ounces. You aren’t required to pack your baby food in a clear, zip-top bag, either. But it’s a good idea to pack your carry-on baby food in one easy-to-reach place, since officers may still ask to inspect it.

Skip the glass.
Homemade baby food can make travel with your little one easier, since you don’t have to worry about glass jars adding extra weight -- or worse, breaking! -- in your bag. Freeze homemade baby food purees in ice-cube trays, then pop a few frozen cubes in a sturdy plastic container. A few hours later, voila! The baby food will be thawed and ready to eat.

Or go minimalist.
If the thought of trying to keep track of (and later, clean!) a bunch of plastic containers makes you cringe, go for portable baby food that comes packaged naturally, like avocado and pre-baked sweet potato. Both are nourishing baby food choices, and you can mash and serve them right from their skins. Just pack a spoon (or grab a plastic one from a gas station or at the airport).  

Prepare for messiness.
Bumpy roads, unexpected starts and stops, or airplane turbulence can make for unexpected baby food spills. Your stay-clean action plan: Pack along plenty of extra bibs, kitchen towels, and wet wipes.   

It’s often hard to stick to schedules when traveling with your baby, but aim to feed her at the same times you would at home. A well-fed baby equals a happy baby, and the less crying and fewer breakdowns while traveling, the better for everyone!

You’ve fed him, changed him, and dressed him in comfy pajamas -- but your baby’s crying at 2 a.m. anyway. To minimize midnight meltdowns in the first six months and ensure a peaceful night’s sleep for the whole family, try these seven simple baby sleep solutions for getting your infant back to bed.

Baby sleep solution # 1: Hang back
Babies are loud sleepers: They wriggle, squirm and shift in their sleep. Don’t mistake these movements for periods of wakefulness, or you could end up disturbing (and waking up) your sleeping infant. Before you rush in to take care of your new baby, take a minute to make sure your little one is actually up.

Baby sleep solution # 2: Keep quiet
If your baby wakes up to feed or for a diaper change, dim the lights, move around calmly and avoid talking to him or making eye contact. If he wakes up out of habit, only change your baby’s diaper if it’s absolutely necessary. Having a consistent nighttime environment will signal to your baby that it’s time to sleep.

Baby sleep solution # 3: Consider a pacifier
A pacifier at bedtime to help your new baby settle down. It will most likely fall out at night, so keep a spare sucker by the crib. This way, you won’t have to search for missing binkies in the dark.

Baby sleep solution # 4: Soothe with sound
White noise helps create a consistent, calm environment for your sleeping baby. Look for sound machines that play continuously throughout the night rather than ones set on a timer that you have to turn back on when your new baby wakes up.

Baby sleep solution # 5: Let him cry it out
If your baby is old enough (between 3 and 5 months old), letting him cry himself back to sleep can be a fast and effective way to get him to snooze through the night. While it can be excruciating to sit on your hands while your baby’s crying, sleep training can help teach your new baby to soothe himself, which is a win for both of you.

Baby sleep solution # 6: Sneak out
If the cry it out method doesn’t appeal to you, try this instead: Leave the room for a few seconds, then return before your baby starts to cry. Continue doing this until your baby falls asleep -- knowing you’ll always return after an absence will comfort him. Then, as your baby becomes better at soothing himself back to sleep, make the duration of your absences longer.

Baby sleep solution # 7: Take a seat
If you’re still getting resistance from your new baby, even when you only exit the room for a few seconds, pull up a chair and sit by the crib. Try not to touch your tot or pay too much attention to him, as this may make him dependent on you to fall back asleep. Instead, read a book or look the other way as he dozes back off.

Your baby isn’t the only one who will benefit from sleeping through the night. New moms need a good night’s rest too. Helping your infant stay asleep until morning can be time-consuming, but remember that it’s always worth it in the end!

At the end of the day there is so much advice out there, remember that if it works for your baby it works!

Wet diapers, gas pains, a skinned knee, leaving the playground -- all of these common situations are almost guaranteed to result in a crying baby or toddler. Every mom will deal with tears, no matter the age of her child, but the key to stopping them is to learn some smart soothing tricks. Read on for the best ways to calm your cranky kid.

Baby soothers
Once you’ve determined that your new baby’s diaper is clean and she’s been burped and isn’t hungry, consider her surroundings. Some babies cry because they’re faced with an abundance of stimulation, like a crowd of people, piles of toys, or loud sounds. If your baby’s crying, take a time-out with her and seek a quiet place to hold and snuggle your baby. Reassuring hugs, calming talk, or even a quiet lullaby will go a long way toward soothing your baby. You could also try offering a pacifier to help her relax or putting her down for a short nap.

Toddler soothers
Your toddler’s language development is coming along (at this point she knows about 50 words), but there will still be times when she has trouble expressing her needs. Toddlers can become easily frustrated by this, so distraction is often the best tactic when it comes to calming her down. Hand over a new toy, offer a small snack, or take her to another room for a change of scene. Toddler tantrums require short, direct talk, such as, “time for bed” or “playtime is over.” Keep your words simple (long discussions about why something is happening will just go over her head), and don’t forget to add in hugs and kisses!

Preschool soothers
Bedtime, the end of a playdate, or longing for a new toy can trigger endless tears from a preschooler. Check to see if she’s hungry or just wants to cuddle, but also give her a simple explanation for the situation. If this doesn’t seem to help, you may have to ignore her for a little while. Remain calm and don’t be tempted to match her volume. If nothing seems to work, you can remove her from the scene.

No matter the age of your child, tears are always hard to witness. If you find you can’t take another sobbing session, get someone to help out. Your husband, your mom, or a friend will be happy to step in and soothe your baby’s crying for a while. And remember, tomorrow all the crying will have been forgotten.

Whether your preemie was in the hospital for several days or many weeks, being able to welcome your baby home is a big achievement. You should feel free to celebrate the day just as you would with a full-term baby (balloons, a big sign), but also take a few precautions after you’ve settled in. A preterm baby will require a bit of special handling and attention paid to development milestones during the early weeks and months. For your baby’s safety (and your sanity), keep these tips in mind.

Cool and calm
It’s normal to worry a bit when your preemie comes home, but remember that she wouldn’t be with you if her doctor didn’t think she was ready. She’s being discharged from the hospital because she’s out of the woods, able to breathe on her own, feed at the breast or from a bottle, and she’s gained some weight. Your baby’s pediatrician will give you all the information you’ll need about her care, but you can always call if you have a question or concern.

Buckle up safely
Most preemies are able to travel home in an infant car seat, though a few will need to ride in a special infant bed if there are any lingering respiratory issues. Your hospital may also want to check the seat or bed you plan to use and monitor your new baby while she’s in it. Some car seats may need to be adjusted so that your baby’s head is well supported (be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully when installing and using it).

Shh, baby’s sleeping!
Not every preemie is startled by bright lights or a little noise, but you may want to start off with a quiet environment during the early weeks of your new baby’s arrival at home. Ask family and friends to wait on their plans to visit until you’ve established a routine and are feeling comfortable. Because your preemie’s immune system is still developing, insist that all visitors wash their hands before holding your baby (anyone with an obvious cold should simply stay away for now). Also, be vigilant about cigarettes: Secondhand smoke (blown near your baby) and third-hand smoke (residue on clothes or in the car of a smoker) are unhealthy.

As you welcome your sweet new baby home, don’t forget to take some time for yourself. It can be stressful being a new mom, especially for a parent of a preemie, so try to follow the old adage of sleeping when your baby does and letting others pitch in with housework and other chores.