•	Try feeding
	•	Check your baby's diaper
	•	Cuddle your baby
	•	Rock your baby
	•	Sway from side to side while holding your baby
	•	Take your baby for a walk, a stroll or a ride in the car
• Sing, talk or play quiet music for your baby • Very small babies may enjoy being swaddled, that is wrapped snugly in a blanket with only his/her head showing • Burp your baby • Check to see if your baby is too hot or too cold • Hang in there - the first three months are the hardest • Check with your doctor for causes and tips

When a baby cries it does not mean that the baby does not like you. Babies cry for many reasons, and it is the only way that they can tell you what they need.

•	Take a few deep breaths. Then remember that you are the adult
•	Close your eyes and imagine that you are hearing what your child is about to hear
•	Calmly put your child in a time-out chair (remember the rule, one time-out minute for each year of age)
•	Put yourself in a time-out chair. Think about why you are angry; is it your child, or is your child just a target for your anger
•	Phone a friend
•	If someone can watch the children, take a break
•	Sing, talk or play quiet music for your baby
•	Very small babies may enjoy being swaddled, that is wrapped snugly in a blanket with only his/her head showing
•	Splash cold water on your face
•	Hug a pillow
•	Try a little prevention: • Plan a regular hour or two off each week, trading childcare with a friend or hiring a babysitter (costly, but worth it). You will be a better parent for it. • Take a hot bath or lie down while the children nap. • Share shifts - mom and dad can take turns with a crying baby for example • Join a parent support group (This can keep you sane!) • Take a parenting class • Give your children clear rules and limits • Tell your children what you DO want them to do instead of yelling what you don't want them to do, for example "Keep the playdough on the table." - not - "Get that rotten playdough off the floor!!!!!!!."

*Based on parenting tips from the LA County Department of Health Services Child Abuse Prevention Program

•	Talk with your child about abuse.
•	Utilize "teachable moments" as an opportunity to discuss safety and how to stay safe with your child. A teachable moment may be a television program, a newspaper article, a school handout about child abuse or a related topic.
•	Go over the types of touching (good touch-bad touch) with your child. (See "How to Stay Safe" for information about touch).
•	Let your child know that you are there to help.
•	Take responsibility for your child's safety and know where he/she is at all times.
•	Ask your child what happens when he or she is alone with a babysitter.
•	Encourage your child to tell you and/or another adult that they trust if anyone touches them in a way that makes them uncomfortable or if someone touches or tries to touch their private parts.
•	Be a good listener for your child.
•	If you believe that a friend of yours is an over-stressed and in danger of becoming abusive: • Offer practical help such as babysitting so he/she can have a break. • Grocery shop for your friend so he/she won't have to take a crying child to the store. • Offer a listening ear. • Tell your friend about community resources such as CALM (See Resources section on this website). • If your friend is depressed or very anxious, especially if she expresses many unrealistic fears about her child's welfare, or about her ability to care for the child, insist that he/she get medical care.
•	Volunteer (many organizations are in need of caring volunteers. Visit the agency pages on this website to learn more.)
•	Donate money to a local organization that works on child abuse issues.