upset and you've tried everything, it makes sense to call a friend or relative for support. Give yourself a break and let someone else take over for a while. Talk to your health visitor about coping strategies and local support groups or parent-and-baby groups. That way you can share your feelings and discuss ways of coping with other new parents. Call a helpline. Cry-sis offers a helpline on 0845 1228 669 for parents of babies who have sleep problems or who cry excessively. Remind yourself that nothing is wrong with your baby and that crying won't hurt her. Sometimes simply accepting that you have a baby who cries a lot can help (St James-Roberts 2008) . You then won't wear yourself out looking for reasons for the crying, blaming yourself for it, or trying out endless potential remedies. This crying is a phase and it will pass (NCCPC 2006: 32) . Newborn babies are hard work. Being the parent of a newborn who cries a lot is even harder work. But try to get help and support when you need it, rather than letting things build up. Be reassured that as your baby grows, she will learn new ways of communicating her needs to you (ICAN 2007, Sheridan 2008) . And when this happens, the crying will stop. Reader comments about this page are new baby his just not settling at all he was having baby cramps so the midwife changed his milk from cow gate to optimal now baby