From Tears to Smiles
Use a simple crying checklist to consider your baby’s needs one by one and respond in a calm, organized way.
- 2 months
- Quick prep
- At home
- About 5 minutes
Developmental benefits
- Social/Emotional：When you come into view, check what your baby may need, and stay close as they settle, your support helps them recover from distress and experience a calm response.
Preparation
What You’ll Need
- 1
A checklist of common reasons for crying or fussing
Step 1
Show Up Calmly
Your baby is crying. Begin by coming close, speaking softly, and offering a cuddle. Your calm, steady presence can help your baby gradually settle from an intense state.
What to notice
- Cries to attract your attention
Emotional Functioning - Notices and looks at your face
Emergent Mathematical Thinking
Tips
- At two months, your baby cannot clearly communicate feelings through expressions or gestures. Crying is one of their main ways to signal a need.
- A two-month-old does not usually calm strong feelings entirely alone. They depend on a caregiver’s responsive presence.
- Pause to steady yourself before responding. Your calm voice, face, and touch can help your baby settle.
Step 2
Check One Need at a Time
If the reason is not clear right away, that is okay. Work through the checklist one item at a time. A predictable sequence can help you respond more calmly and consistently while your baby cries.
What to notice
- Looks toward you while crying as if asking for help
Relationships with Adults - Cries in a way that seems to signal discomfort
Communicating and Speaking
Tips
- If you feel overwhelmed, ask another caregiver to take over while you recover.
- If the cry sounds unusual or your baby cannot be comforted, they may be unwell. Contact a healthcare professional when needed.
- A checklist can reduce the uncertainty that makes a crying spell feel chaotic.
- Watch for body signals such as squirming, sucking, or changes in facial expression.
Step 3
Stay Close as Your Baby Settles
Once you identify and address the likely need, continue with gentle pats, a calm voice, or another familiar soothing response. Repeated experiences of crying, receiving a response, and gradually settling help your baby become familiar with the process of calming with your support.
What to notice
- Cries more softly as you comfort them Emotional Functioning
- Relaxes into your presence or cuddle Relationships with Adults
Tips
- Your baby cannot regulate strong feelings independently yet, but repeated comfort from you helps them experience how calm returns.
- As you check each possibility, softly tell your baby what you are doing so they can continue to hear your reassuring voice.
Better Parenting Content Team · Updated September 11, 2026