Top 5 Best Air Hockey Tables for Kids | 2016 Reviews

Many families with kids don’t have room for a full-sized air hockey table – and that’s a shame.

Pool, ping pong, foosball and all of the other traditional activities that families can share at home are terrific fun. But there’s no “indoor sport” quite like air hockey to let children develop hand-eye coordination while providing a full release for their competitive juices and pent-up energy at the same time.

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Quick Comparison Table

Atomic Blazer 7’ Hockey Table

Viper Vancouver Air Hockey Game Table

Playcraft Derby 6’ Air Hockey Table

Harvil 4 Foot Air Hockey Table

Playcraft Sport 40-Inch Table Top Air Hockey

A brief check of any arcade, bowling alley or other entertainment center where there’s an air hockey table will show you how much of a favorite the game is among kids. Most would never think of asking their parents for their very own air hockey table at home, because the sport seems like one that’s only accessible if you’re pumping quarters or tokens into an enormous, professional table. Additionally, the space that a full-scale air hockey game requires is so large that the idea of playing air hockey in the house might seem impossible.

But it’s not. Lucky families with plenty of room in a garage or basement might be surprised at the quality of air hockey table they can afford, and there are lots of smaller-sized options which replicate all of the game’s fun without having an enormous footprint. Even a good table-top model can provide an afternoon or evening’s worth of family fun for a very small investment, as long as the kids can tone down their enthusiasm enough to control a puck on a much smaller table.

If you’re thinking about purchasing an air hockey table for your home, take our word for it: your kids will love you for it. And you’ll have just as much fun as they will, once you give it a try. Our list of the top 5 best air hockey tables for kids will first check out a couple of full-sized, seven-foot units, and then move on to smaller and less-expensive models.

Quick Comparison Table

Atomic Blazer 7’ Hockey Table	Viper Vancouver Air Hockey Game Table	Playcraft Derby 6’ Air Hockey Table	Harvil 4 Foot Air Hockey Table	Playcraft Sport 40-Inch Table Top Air Hockey
$$$	$$$	$$$	$$$	$$$
155 pounds	219 pounds	117 pounds	35 pounds	19 pounds
84 x 48 x 32 in	89 x 50 x 32 in	72 x 36 x 31 in	48 x 34 x 21 in	40 x 20 x 8 in

Atomic Blazer 7’ Hockey Table

Yes, this model costs a little over $600, which seems like a lot of money until you know that “professional-style” home air hockey tables will run you more than $2000 (sometimes, a lot more). And the Atomic Blazer gives you almost everything those pro-style tables do, except for the heavy-duty casings required in commercial environments where people are playing the games non-stop and often abusing the equipment on a regular basis. This table (and other home models) may get dinged up fairly quickly because it’s made from medium-density fiberboard (MDF) instead of metal or solid wood. But it’s sturdy and durable, and the dings shouldn’t affect game play or fun.

A seven-foot by four-foot play area is the standard for a full-sized table, so this 7x4 model with a ¾” PVC playfield will seem just like the ones at the arcade. There’s a heavy-duty blower motor on the Blazer which makes the action smooth and fast, and we like the fact that there are integral overhang railings which keep the puck in play (most of the time, anyway – there’s no way to stop pucks from flying off the table every so often, as every player knows). We also like the metal strips around the inner sides of the table which protect against impact damage.

A level air hockey table is naturally required for fair play, which brings us to another great feature of this Atomic model. The 6” wide pedestal legs (providing great stability for the table) each have built-in 5” wide leg levelers, which allow you to ensure that the play area stays level wherever you install it. For bells and whistles, there’s a fold-up electronic scoreboard (which does run through AA batteries very quickly) and somewhat-annoying sound effects (which can be turned off if desired). You can also get an optional ping-top table top to fit right above the table hockey surface.

Kids and adults will both enjoy the Atomic Blazer because of its full size and fast speed; just remember that it’s going to be heavy to move and that you’ll need some extra clearance around the table to allow you to reach those pucks easily.

Details of the Atomic Blazer 7’ Hockey Table
Size	84 x 48 x 32 inches
Support	6” Pedestal legs with built-in levelers
Material	Medium-density fiberboard with PVC play area
Power	AC, 4 AA batteries for scoreboard
Extras	Electronic scoreboard, 4 pucks, 4 strikers
Weight	155 pounds
Warranty	90 days limited

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Viper Vancouver Air Hockey Game Table

We actually liked the Viper Vancouver a little more than the Atomic Blazer. We rank it a bit lower, though, because it costs an extra $200 for the extra features it provides and we’re not sure that most readers would consider the extra cost worth those features. But if you’ve got a little extra to spend, read on.

This is another full-sized table made from MDF with a PVC play area, with pedestal legs and integral leg levelers. It’s sturdy – in fact, it’s heavier than the Blazer, one reason we liked it a bit more. There’s plenty of air flow to keep the game action fast, and there are deep inner rails to keep the puck on the surface rather than the floor as much as possible. There are also dual puck returns on either end of the table.

The Vancouver is an attractive air hockey table, looking somewhat more professional than the Blazer. One small but nice aspect of the overall appearance is the large, dual-faced electronic scoreboard which is situated on one side of the play area rather than above the surface, and lets you track and count down time as well as just the number of goals scored. A drawback is that the sound effects can’t be turned off, but they’re not as obnoxious as the canned sound you usually find on games like this.

This Viper table is the nicest mid-range model we’ve seen, and while it’s not going to last as long as one of those “armor-plated” machines you see in arcades, it should hold up to the battering it will get from energetic pre-teens and teenagers without a problem. Just be advised that it can be an hours-long project to assemble; once that’s been accomplished, though, the fun will be worth it.

Details of the Viper Vancouver Air Hockey Game Table
Size	89 x 50 x 32 inches
Support	6” Pedestal legs with built-in levelers
Material	Medium-density fiberboard with PVC play area
Power	AC
Extras	Electronic scoreboard, 4 pucks, 4 strikers
Weight	219 pounds
Warranty	90 days limited

Check Price On Amazon

Playcraft Derby 6’ Air Hockey Table

We now move on to smaller air hockey tables which will fit a smaller family game room, a smaller budget, or both. The one-foot difference in length between the Derby and the two full-sized tables we’ve already discussed isn’t going to make an enormous qualitative difference in your game play, but it could make the difference between having enough room for a table and having to go to the arcade. The cost under $400 may make a big difference to you as well.

The construction of this Playcraft unit is similar to the first two entries on our list of the top 5 best air hockey tables for kids. It’s made from MDF (with a cherry wood grain finish and chrome accents, a black PVC finish is an extra $50) and has a glossy, scratch-resistant PVC play area and pedestal legs with built-in levelers. The power in the blowers isn’t quite up to that of the larger tables we’ve looked at, but it’s more than sufficient for fun game play. There’s a single-face electronic scoreboard with multiple setting options – and perhaps the best feature of all is that the Derby comes mostly assembled, so there’s less wrestling with this air hockey table than with most other larger models before you can start playing and enjoying yourself.

Will it last forever? Of course not. But it will certainly give your family more than $400 worth of enjoyment.

Details of the Playcraft Derby 6’ Air Hockey Table
Size	72 x 36 x 31 inches
Support	Pedestal legs with built-in levelers
Material	Medium-density fiberboard with PVC play area
Power	AC, two AAA batteries for scoreboard
Extras	Electronic scoreboard, 4 pucks, 2 strikers
Weight	117 pounds
Warranty	Six months, limited

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Harvil 4 Foot Air Hockey Table

With another step down in size, we take a huge step down in price as well. The playfield on the Harvil air hockey table is a little less than half the size of a full-sized table, but it will only cost you about $100 – so it’s perfect for the smaller kids in your family who aren’t ready for full-out game action, and may not even be able to reach across a 7-foot table in the first place.

The Harvil is constructed from lesser-quality MDF, and has L-shaped instead of pedestal legs (with levelers) so you shouldn’t expect this to be a durable piece of indoor sports equipment. However, it will hold up decently under the less-rigorous play of elementary school kids (or the gentle play of pre-teens and teenagers, if they have that sort of restraint in them). Play speed is medium because of the lesser-powered AC motor on this table, but it’s definitely sufficient and fun for the kids. There’s a small electronic scoreboard, but no puck return; you have to reach in and retrieve the puck from the goal after every score – a slight annoyance, of course, but worth putting up with for $100.

If you’ve been motivated to buy your very own air hockey table after having a blast playing against friends at the local pub, this is not your best option. In fact, it’s not an option at all, because you’ll be severely disappointed. For the young kids in the family, though, it should be more than enough to get them away from the PlayStation for a few hours.

Details of the Harvil 4 Foot Air Hockey Table
Size	48 x 34 x 21 inches
Support	L-shaped legs with built-in levelers
Material	Medium-density fiberboard with PVC play area
Power	AC, two AA batteries for scoreboard
Extras	Electronic scoreboard, 2 pucks, 2 strikers
Weight	35 pounds
Warranty	90 days, limited

Check Price On Amazon

Playcraft Sport 40-Inch Table Top Air Hockey

Versatility and convenience are front and center with this budget table-top model from Playcraft, which has a play area that’s small enough to fit almost anywhere, can be picked up and stuffed in a closet when not in use, and will only cost you about $70.

The 40-inch surface is ideal for young players and the air flow provided by the motor is nearly as strong as on the Harvil we just reviewed, so there will be more than enough action to keep the kids enthralled. The frame is built from decent-quality MDF so it’s not going to fall apart on you; there are legs on the frame but primary support is provided by the table it’s placed on, meaning it will be sturdy enough for the kids and even for grownups who use a light touch while playing. You should expect the Sport to last at least for a year or two. It won’t slip and slide on the tabletop either, which was one of our main concerns going into this review.

One difference between this Playcraft and the other air hockey tables on our list: it uses two-inch pucks instead of the standard three-inch pucks you’re probably familiar with, and that means the strikers are also smaller than you’d expect. Once the game starts, you get used to the difference quickly, however.

Make no mistake; this table-top air hockey unit is more like a toy than the real thing – if you’re accustomed to “real” air hockey, that is. Remember that the majority of younger kids won’t know anything about “real” air hockey, so they’ll be fascinated and thrilled when the Sport shows up at your door and you open it up.​

Details of the Playcraft Sport 40-Inch Table Top Air Hockey
Size	40 x 20 x 8 inches
Support	Small legs, sits on table top
Material	Medium-density fiberboard
Power	AC
Extras	2 pucks (two inches), 2 strikers
Weight	19 pounds
Warranty	90 days, limited

Check Price On Amazon

Originally posted 2016-06-22 15:40:18.

The post Top 5 Best Air Hockey Tables For Kids | 2016 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Top 5 Best Travel Cots for Babies | 2016 Reviews

Parents expecting a baby for the first time may spend more time looking at cribs than any other type of baby furniture. But after the bundle of joy has arrived and it’s time for the first trip to grandma’s house, those same parents will stare at each other and ask “Where is the baby going to sleep?”

A high-quality, lightweight travel cot isn’t just useful for family trips. It’s just as handy when friends or relatives stop by and they need somewhere to put their baby down during the visit, or when you need somewhere safe to put your sleeping angel while cleaning up the mess she made in her crib. A travel crib is also an ideal “downstairs” cot when your baby normally sleeps upstairs, and it’s a nice thing to have on hand when (or if) you ever get to take an actual family vacation, because the ones many hotels provide are far from ideal.

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Quick Comparison Table

Lotus Travel Crib And Portable Baby Playard

BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light

Graco Pack ‘n Play On The Go Playard

phil&teds Portable Traveller Crib

KidCo PeaPod Plus Travel Bed

There are two primary criteria when looking at travel cots: how easy they are to transport and how comfortable they are for baby. Some travel cribs pack up small enough so you can take them onto planes as carry-on baggage, and most come with a mattress that’s thick enough to provide a comfy rest for your little one. Models with bassinet inserts are also a good choice for very young infants, and some travel cots are built to do double-duty as a playpen; Pack ‘n Play is a popular model whose name is often used to describe those two-in-one cribs.

Your decision may be based on a desire to find a travel cot which you can still use once your baby is a toddler, or you may be looking strictly for a model designed for infants. Either way, our list of the top 5 best travel cots for babies will put you on the right track. You may also check our Best Travel Cot Buying Guide here.

Quick Comparison Table

Lotus Travel Crib And Portable Baby Playard	BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light	Graco Pack ‘n Play On The Go Playard	phil&teds Portable Traveller Crib	KidCo PeaPod Plus Travel Bed
$$$	$$$	$$$	$$$	$$$
13 pounds	13 pounds	22.9 pounds	7 pounds	2.5 pounds
Mattress, backpack straps	Mattress	Pad, bassinet, toy bar, bag	Inflatable mattress, sheet	Sleeping pad, ground straps

Lotus Travel Crib And Portable Baby Playard

The Lotus is one of the lightest and most convenient baby travel cots you can find. It weighs just 13 pounds and is a compact 23 by 12 by 8 inch size when packed (backpack-style straps are also included so you can just toss it onto your back when traveling). That’s one reason this crib is #1 on our list; the other is the extremely convenient side zipper which lets you put baby into the crib without having to bend over or wake her up. It can also let you lie down and nurse while she dozes, and toddlers love the zippered side because it lets them play “house” or “fort.” When set up the Lotus isn’t particularly tall but it has a fairly wide and very secure footprint. Setting it up literally takes only seconds because it’s basically built as a pop-up unit, although securing the mattress does take extra time. Taking it down will require an extra minute or two.

Speaking of the mattress, we do wish that the one which comes with this travel cot was thicker, but it’s more than thick enough for part-time use. The real drawback is that the mattress isn’t a standard travel cot size. Pack ‘n Play sheets won’t fit, and while some crib sheets will be pretty close they won’t have the slots that accommodate the mattress straps. You can buy sheets designed for this model from the company that makes the Lotus, Guava Family. (Incidentally, the company says that it deliberately keeps the mattress to a one-inch thickness as per U.S safety standards, so that there’s no gap between the mattress and crib sides.) The mattress cover is machine-washable.

The sides of the Lotus are made from a fine mesh, which gives you a perfect view of your sleeping baby and also acts as a safety measure to prevent accidental suffocation if the infant inadvertently rolls into a corner of the unit. While on the subject of safety, all of the materials used to construct the Lotus (primarily polyester) are free of all the “bad stuff” like phthalates and PVC, and there are no flame-retardant chemicals used. Overall, the construction wasn’t the very best of all the models we’ve listed (that distinction goes to the crib we’ll look at next), but it was solid and durable, and we’d have no concerns putting our most precious possession inside.

This travel cot is large enough to serve as a playpen for babies and young toddlers, but once they get larger and fully mobile you may need something bigger. For infants and babies, though, it’s perfect. It’s also just $200, significantly less expensive than our other contender for the top spot in our rankings.

Details of the Lotus Travel Crib And Portable Baby Playard
Ages	0-3 years
Footprint	42 x 24 x 25
Folded Size	23 x 12 x 8
Weight	13 pounds
Material	Polyester
Accessories	Mattress, backpack straps
Washable	Mattress cover is machine-washable
Warranty	One year

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BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light

So, here’s the other baby travel cot we’ve mentioned – the one that’s a little better built and has a slightly thicker mattress. We liked both of those attributes, as well as the facts that the footprint of this model is slightly smaller than that of the Lotus and the crib fabric is machine-washable. We weren’t sure, though, that those features justified paying $300 instead of the $200 that the Lotus costs, particularly since there were several features on our #1 model that you won’t find on the BabyBjorn (which we’ll get to shortly). We’ll leave the ultimate decision up to you.

This is unquestionably a terrific baby travel crib, however. It’s extremely well-made, with a slightly sturdier frame and thicker polyester fabric than on any of the other cots on our list, and it will hold up longer than even the Lotus. One of the negatives we referred to: the mesh sidewalls don’t have a side zipper, so you have to bend over to put the baby in or take her out. The footprint is a tiny bit larger than the Lotus’ but when packed the BabyBjorn is definitely larger, more like a small suitcase than a backpack – taking this model on a plane as a carry-on might pose a problem, and that’s the other big disadvantage to the Travel Crib Light. Setting up this crib is just as simple (perhaps even a bit easier), though, and taking it down is almost as fast an operation.

The mattress that comes with this travel cot may be a little more comfortable for your baby. It’s ¼ inch thicker than that of the Lotus, and it’s softer because it’s made from a polyester foam; that concerned us at first, but the foam, like the rest of the materials used to build the BabyBjorn, are free of all problematic chemicals and fire-retardants. There is the same “issue” with sheets that we discussed earlier, and the company offers organic fitted sheets which cost $35 apiece if you decide to take that route.

We chose to rank the BabyBjorn in second place because of its larger folded size, solid mesh walls and higher price, but that may just be nitpicking. We’d be thrilled to use it as our regular travel cot for babies.

Details of the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light
Ages	0-3 years
Footprint	44 x 25 x 32
Folded Size	24 x 19 x 6
Weight	13 pounds
Material	Polyester and polyester foam
Accessories	Mattress
Washable	Crib fabric and mattress cover are machine-washable
Warranty	Two years

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Graco Pack ‘n Play On The Go Playard

It’s completely understandable if you want to spend less than $200-300 on a travel crib which may get very infrequent use. That’s why this Graco unit comes in at #3 on our list of top 5 best travel cots for babies; it’s not as convenient, as lightweight, or as high-quality as the Lotus or BabyBjorn – but for about $75 it will get the job done, particularly if you’re planning to use the cot as a playpen or a “second home” for baby at the grandparents’ house, rather than toting it around and setting it up every night.

This is one of the Pack ‘n Play units that we mentioned at the start, meaning it’s designed to function as both a crib and playpen. For that reason, it’s bigger and heavier than the travel cribs we’ve already reviewed, and comes with a pad (that seems comfortable) for the bottom rather than an actual mattress. The former makes this a somewhat-difficult model to travel with, but the latter may actually be seen as a plus by parents who have read that firm pads are safer for babies to sleep on.

Setting up the Graco takes a lot longer than setting up the Lotus or BabyBjorn. There are poles to fit together and rails to lock into place; figure minutes instead of seconds for the procedure. Once it’s up, the unit is stable and has mesh walls (without a zippered opening) and provides plenty of room for babies or small toddlers to play. As a Pack ‘n Play, a toy bar with small toys on it and a removable bassinet come with this unit. It also includes a carrying bag, which unfortunately is the only part of this travel cot that is machine-washable.

One other fact we have to mention that may concern some parents: Graco does not certify this product as being free of flame-retardants or chemicals, and the mattress does have a slight funky smell to it which could be a byproduct of those substances. If you don’t consider that an issue this is a large portable crib which would work best as a semi-permanent second cot, at an attractive price.

Details of the Graco Pack ‘n Play On The Go Playard
Height Limit	35 inches
Footprint	40 x 29 x 28
Folded Size	27 x 11 x 11
Weight	22.9 pounds
Material	Polyester and polyester foam
Accessories	Pad, bassinet, toy bar, carrying bag
Washable	Spot clean, carrying bag is machine-washable
Warranty	One year, limited

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phil&teds Portable Traveller Crib

There may be some who have read through these reviews and thought “13 pounds? I don’t want be lugging something that heavy around!” For those readers, we are pleased to introduce phil&teds Portable Traveller, which comes in at an amazing seven pounds, yet has the same general footprint as much heavier competitors. This unit isn’t meant for double-duty as a playpen or as a semi-permanent cot (although it could serve as the latter). It’s designed to be a crib that you’re happy to take on trips.

It’s more involved to set up and break down, but after a little practice you’ll be able to set up this cot in 5-10 minutes or so. It’s not quite as sturdy as the large models we’ve previously reviewed, but infants and even smaller children are not going to be able to tip it over. The mattress has to be inflated for each use (contributing greatly to the light weight of this unit) but comfortable. There are mesh sidewalls with the zip-down side that we love, and a cotton sheet and carry bag are included. The materials are all chemical-free and safe, and there’s an optional mesh top with UV protection if you want to use the crib outdoors.

In short, this is a high-quality travel cot which may not have all of the bells and whistles, but is a crib that frequent travelers will quickly fall in love with, despite its $200 price tag.

Details of the phil&teds Portable Traveller Crib
Ages	0-3 years
Footprint	45 x 22 x 26
Folded Size	27 x 10 x 8
Weight	7 pounds
Material	Polyester, aluminum frame
Accessories	Inflatable mattress, sheet
Washable	Spot clean
Warranty	One year

Check Price On Amazon

KidCo PeaPod Plus Travel Bed

Seven pounds is still too much to carry? OK, we’ve saved this for last: the KidCo Peapod is 2.5 pounds, and it folds up into a disc that you can pack almost anywhere. Not bad for $70, right?

Well, be aware that this is a travel cot for very specific uses. Specifically, it’s a bed for sleeping, and can’t in any way double as a playpen. The tent-like structure snaps right open for setup, with a sleeping pad already attached underneath the unit instead of a mattress inside, and the mesh screen zips open for access to your child. To emphasize how much like a tent the Peapod is, it has ground anchor straps for outdoor use along with UV protection. On the downside, there’s no certification that the materials used to manufacture the Peapod is free of chemicals or flame-retardants.

The lightweight polyester material is somewhat flimsy, so this cot may not hold up over the long term and isn’t intended for everyday use. But it’s incredibly light and portable, and a great choice for campers or those who like to stay on the move during their trips.

One note: KidCo only recommends this model for use with children over the age of one, apparently because of liability concerns involving safety and SIDS which previously led to a recall and redesign of this product. If you feel it’s safe for your younger kids, it will certainly accommodate them.​

Details of the KidCo PeaPod Plus Travel Bed
Ages	1-3 years (per manufacturer)
Footprint	46 x 28 x 18
Folded Size	16 x 17 x 3
Weight	2.5 pounds
Material	Sleeping pad, ground straps
Accessories	Sleeping pad, ground straps
Washable	Spot clean
Warranty	One year

Check Price On Amazon

Originally posted 2016-06-01 02:26:35.

The post Top 5 Best Travel Cots For Babies | 2016 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.

Why is Your Baby Crying? Tips to Soothe Your Baby

Why is Your Baby Crying? Tips to Soothe Your Baby

Babies have a reputation of being criers. If you ask many people, they think that babies cry all the time. The truth is, crying is the baby’s way of communicating. If they could talk, then it would be easy for them to express their needs in words. Since they can’t, the only option they have is to cry when they need something or are uncomfortable with something. If they are comfortable and sated, you will rarely find them crying just for the sake of it.

The trick is not to focus on stopping the crying, but on interpreting the reason why they are crying. Once you find the reason, you can deal with it, and the crying will stop. There are a number of reasons for babies to cry. It is the duty of the parent to go down the check list until they identify the problem, otherwise a baby can cry itself hoarse.

Reasons for Babies to Cry

Wet or Dirty Diaper

If you had to stay with wet pants, you would be uncomfortable too. The fact that their skins are so sensitive and urine can burn means that they can’t stand dirty diapers for long and they react by crying. All babies are not the same, though. Some babies will let you know the minute their diapers need changing by bawling their hearts out.

Others? They can tolerate a dirty diaper for some while so be sure to always check their diapers. If your baby starts crying because he is in need of a diaper change, it would be pretty easy to detect and remedy. For new mommies and daddies, changing a diaper may seem a frightening enough task, but once you get the hang of it, changing them is quite easy. Be sure to have everything you need within reach before beginning with the diaper change. Prepare a clean diaper, wet wipes or wash cloth, baby powder, lotion and diaper rash ointment. Change your baby’s diaper on an appropriate changing table and be sure to observe safety.

You may use a burp cloth over your baby to prevent spraying accidents to your baby’s face. Once you have untaped the soiled diaper, clean the diaper area thoroughly with the wet wipes or wash cloth. Lift your baby’s legs gently so that you may remove the soiled diaper and carefully slide a clean one under him. Don’t forget to apply powder, lotion and rash ointment as needed. Cloth diapers are basically changed in the same manner. Be sure to wash your hands after. For practical purposes, change your baby’s diaper every 2 to 3 hours, but don’t bother waking your sleeping baby just to change a wet diaper. The acid content of your baby’s bowels, however, may irritate his sensitive skin so be sure change the diaper as soon as he is awake.

Hunger Pangs

Hungry babies are angry babies. Hence, this is one of things to check for first, when your baby cries. You may look for other corresponding signs such as sticking their hand in the mouth and suckling vigorously or smacking their lips. It is important to learn to recognize your baby’s signs of hunger so that you may be able to start feeding him even before he starts crying. Other signs to be on the lookout for include fussing and rooting. Rooting is an infantile reflex where your baby will turn his head towards your hand when you try to stroke his cheek.

Ensure that your baby is getting enough milk. If your baby seems to be hungry all the time and does not seem to be gaining enough weight, consider increasing the amount of milk you feed him. Breastmilk is still always the best choice for babies. If increasing his milk intake still doesn’t help in his weight gain, consult a doctor for a proper advice.Sometime your baby just wants to suck. Babies will go through an oral stage in their development. In this stage, they will have sucking urges. They will often to suck or feed even when they are not hungry. Sucking urges also arise when babies are tired, in distress or in pain. Sucking gives babies comfort and pleasure. This is where pacifiers come into the picture to calm and soothe your crying baby, when he just wants to suck on something but not really feed.​

Tiredness

Have you ever been sleep deprived? Chances are you find yourself being irritable and temperamental. Babies are the same; they can cry because they feel tired and need rest. So why not just drop off? Well, they need a comfortable place to sleep in. The same happens with adults in that most people require a comfortable place to sleep in like a bed and will not just sleep in their seats or in noisy places.

If your baby cries from tiredness, it is important to get them in a quiet place and in a comfortable sleeping area such as a cot so they can sleep in peace. Alternatively, you can hold them close and make soothing noises, so they feel secure and nod off.

Practice putting your baby to sleep at the first sign of a yawn, at any time of the day. Sometimes babies could get so interested in everything that is going on around them and their excitement prevents them from getting some sleep when they need it. Minimize sensory input to help your baby relax and not feel as if he is missing something by going to sleep.

Additionally, babies will often want to feed when they are feeling tired. This is due to sleep association. Feeding to sleep can be a common sleep association among babies. When your baby learns to associate feeding with sleeping, he will naturally want to feed when he is feeling tired because in his mind, feeding is the way he goes to sleep. Learn to read your baby’s cues when he is tired so as not to misinterpret his reason for crying as due to hunger. Signs of tiredness or exhaustion may include clenched fists, facial grimaces, waving arms and legs, fussing and grumbling.​

Tummy Trouble

Gas and stomach pain are dreaded by most parents because babies cry a lot when they experience this. It mostly results from eating the wrong thing or eating too fast. This is why it is important to feed babies appropriate food, and once they finish their meal ensure that you burp them.

Other common causes of gas in babies are constipation, reflux, and stomach flu as well as lactose intolerance among other problems. . Gastric symptoms like excessive gas and frequent watery bowel movement may also be to lactose overload. Lactose overload may be associated with large, frequent feeds. It is a dose-related digestive problem that occurs when the baby’s digestive system is overloaded with lactose due to overfeeding of babies who are bottle-fed or due to oversupply syndrome in babies who are breastfed. Babies who are experiencing tummy discomfort will often want to feed in an attempt to relieve the pain, which will only further worsen the gastric symptoms.

For breastfed babies, the essential way to correct the problem of foremilk-hindmilk imbalance, which by the way leads to lactose overload, is to completely empty out your breasts during feeding before switching sides. Make sure that your baby has emptied out the first breast before switching to the other one by extending his feeding time on each breast.

For babies who are formula fed, extend the time between feedings from 3 to 4 hours during the day. If your baby is a quick feeder and can feed under 10 minutes, try slowing him down by making use of a slower nipple or by integrating mini breaks into your baby’s feeding time. Also, you may try to discourage bottle feeding sleep association. This can be done by ensuring your baby is awake during feeding. If you feed your baby appropriately and help them to release gas, but they still cry, you should approach your doctor for further advice.​

A good trick to deal with gas in babies is to give the baby infant gas drops and lay them on their back. Follow this with a little exercise where your push their legs to the belly and help them work out a bicycle motion. The gas will soon be out as they make a burping sound or as they pass gas. If you feed your baby with milk formula, they may experience constipation use a few spoons of prune juice to get things moving and increase fluids to overcome this.

Wrong Temperatures

If it’s too cold or too warm, a baby will be uncomfortable and cry. Generally babies like to be bundled up in a warm snug environment where the temperature is just right, but not too hot or too cold. You may swaddle your baby to give him a snug, comfortable feeling. Be sure to regularly check your baby’s body temperature. Always feel their bodies to get an idea if they are too warm. If they are, get rid of a layer of clothing or a blanket to help them cool down.

Circulation

It is important for the baby’s circulation to be free flowing. When your baby cries, check their clothing and whole body to ensure nothing is excessively tight on them. Dress your baby in loose fitting clothes at all times to avoid such issues.

Teething

Teething is painful for babies, and they will cry a lot as they go through it. If you feel their gums, you will be able to tell if they are teething when you feel a hard numb protruding through the gums. Most babies get their first tooth between 4 to 7 months, but teething can actually happen earlier. There are helpful remedies you can use to pacify them at this time. You may give your baby something to chew on that can help with the teething process. Firm rubber teething rings or chilled washcloths may be used. You may also ease the pain by rubbing your clean finger gently and firmly over your baby’s gums which appear to be sore. Cold food like yogurt may be given to your baby, provided that he is old enough to ingest solid food.

Stimulation

Babies need stimulation in order to learn and develop but sometimes, it can become quite overwhelming and they may have difficulty in processing all the stimulation that they are getting. Exposure to lights, noise and too much movement from being passed from hand to another may be enough reason to make a baby protest by crying. Swaddling may be greatly helpful in calming and soothing your baby. Swaddling gives them a feeling of security. If swaddling doesn’t work, you may try taking your baby to a quiet place. Talk to him in a soft, soothing voice and let him relax.

And then there are other times when your baby will want more stimulation. Sometimes babies can become demanding and be very excited to experience the world. They would want to be held all the time and would want to be in constant motion. Agreeably, this set-up can become tiring for you. One way to handle a demanding baby is to wear him in a baby sling or a front carrier so that he can become part of your activities. Baby swings are also helpful in calming overly excited babies. Swings can keep your baby stimulated while you give your arms a rest.

Not Feeling Well

What every parent would never want for their babies if they can help it is for the baby to get sick. When you have covered all your baby’s basic needs and still find him crying, he could be feeling discomfort due to an illness. Check his body temperature to see if he is coming down with a fever. It is best to immediately see a doctor.

What should you do when your baby is still crying for no apparent reason?

Lastly don’t fuss! Many babies hate this. They prefer to be placed somewhere in peace. Once you ensure they are well fed, the diaper is clean, they are well covered and hold them or place them in a warm and comfortable place - let them be.

Originally posted 2013-09-11 21:03:57.

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