Does the crying start at sunset? Am I the only one finding this hard?
When I first held my baby and returned home, I felt like I had the world. But that joy was short-lived, as parenting was a reality far different from what I imagined. Especially at sunset when the world quieted down, my baby’s cries would inevitably begin, burning the hearts of first-time parents.
I thought the baby might be hungry and tried nursing, or changing the diaper, but the crying wouldn’t stop. Countless nights were spent pacing the living room, burdened by guilt, wondering if something was wrong, or if I had done something wrong.
“Why on earth are you crying?”
This thought came to my throat, but I couldn’t ask a newborn. Was I the only one facing this seemingly endless challenge? Many parents may be nodding in agreement. Today, I’d like to share the experience that became a beacon of hope during those overwhelming evenings.
The Difficult Evenings That Seemed Endless
The crying was most intense between 2 weeks and 3 months of age. This time is often referred to as the ‘Witching Hour,’ where the newborn sleep problems are truly a challenge for new parents. Though not medically clarified, experts suspect overstimulation from the day, discomfort from rapid growth, or immature digestive systems as possible causes.
“A baby’s crying at this stage isn’t intended to trouble the parents; it’s a natural expression of developmental stages where self-soothing is difficult.”
Hearing this made me reflect on how I was handling my child. The baby was also struggling to adapt to the world amidst discomfort they couldn’t control. This realization led me to resolve to find ways to make the baby’s world more comfortable rather than just soothing them. Effective baby sleep methods are not just techniques to put the baby to sleep but processes that provide them with comfort.
Our Discovered Sleep Ritual
One day, I came across a post in a parenting community about how ‘baby massage’ helped their child sleep better. With nothing to lose, I decided to try it on my baby who had just taken a bath that evening. At first, I was unsure what product to use, but I wanted to be meticulous about the ingredients since they touched my baby’s delicate skin.
After comparing several products, I decided to use an oil made from plant-derived ingredients. The natural scent was appealing, and I gently massaged the oil into my baby’s tiny feet, legs, stomach, and arms. As I touched my baby hesitantly, I noticed that they gradually relaxed. Making eye contact and singing softly while massaging transformed the once-stressful evenings into moments of pure connection.
The Amazing Changes Brought by Massage
Surprisingly, that night, my baby fell asleep much more easily. Of course, not all newborn sleep problems disappeared overnight. However, making evening baths and massages our ‘sleep ritual’ gradually made my baby less anxious as night approached. The process of warm water, gentle massage, and mom’s voice became a signal that it was time to relax and sleep.
Through this experience, I realized that the essence of baby sleep isn’t a secret technique. It’s in giving them consistent reassurance and comfort by letting them know they are not alone and that mom and dad are there. Massage was the warm, comforting medium to convey this. Rather than feeling powerless against the baby’s cries, reading their discomfort and striving to solve it together eventually led to peaceful nights.
I hope this experience provides a small comfort and hint to other parents listening to their baby’s cries, feeling like they’re traversing a gloomy tunnel. What are your evenings like? Share your parenting challenges or precious experiences overcoming sleep issues in the comments. By sharing wisdom, parenting becomes warmer and stronger.
The anxious times spent worrying about cries at sunset—this journey is something everyone goes through at least once. Understanding the hidden signals behind the baby’s cries and approaching them in our unique way makes parenting gentler. As with today’s shared parenting tips on handling sleep problems, MOM-i is thinking about how to create warm daily lives for both parents and children alike. For inquiries, please request a consultation.