What To Do If Your Child Cries In Public (And How To Keep Your Cool)

As a parent, nothing will test your patience more than your child having a full-blown meltdown when you’re out and about.

While you have absolutely no need to feel embarrassed, it’s hard not to when people stare and you can practically hear passers by thinking “Why can’t she control her child?”

In fact, nearly two thirds of new mums have confessed they feel under scrutiny when their baby starts crying around strangers – so don’t feel like you’re the only parent to be judged.

What to do when you’re in that situation? Follow these steps…

Stay Calm
Firstly, take a deep breath (especially if your hackles are already raised). It’s hard, but do your best to block everyone else out and concentrate on your child. Also, try not to get frustrated with your child – he’s more likely to calm down quickly if you don’t get annoyed.

Respond To Your Child
Making sure your little one is okay is way more important than what some strangers think, and this should be your priority.

“Respond immediately to the reason why your child is crying,” says Louisa van den Bergh, founder of Lulubaby. “Perhaps your toddler has fallen over and has hurt himself in which case he’ll need you to support and soothe him and make him feel safe and secure again.”

It may take time so just forget about being in a public place. “If you‘re in a very confined area, you may feel comfortable just highlighting to those around you that your little one has hurt himself.”

If your child’s a young baby, take the usual steps you would to find out the reason behind his tears. There are a number of reasons why he could be crying, but you’ll soon get used to each different sob and what it means so you can stop those tears quickly.

Figure Out What’s Wrong
Try to deduce whether your toddler is crying because he’s genuinely distressed or is simply trying to get your attention.

“If your toddler’s really upset, then your job is to focus on helping your little one feel better by empathising with him and holding him. Don’t forget that not getting his favourite cereal may be very upsetting for a little one who doesn’t have the benefit of years of emotional maturity like us,” says Louisa.

“A Little Nero" tantrum is less common and these are when your little one turns on the crocodile tears in order to get his own way.

"With a Little Nero, you may choose to ignore your little one’s noises but always stay calm, be firm and kind and, whatever you do, don’t be tempted to give in (which is tempting when you know that it will stop their crying!)," says Louisa.

Stand Your Ground
If you are in the middle of a delish meal out or in the waiting room at the dentist’s and don’t want to miss your appointment, don’t feel like you have to leave. You and your child have every right to be there – regardless of whether he’s screaming his head off or not.

Leave
If it’s all too much, gather up your things and leave. It doesn’t matter if you're in the midst of a supermarket shop or on the bus – there’s no shame in removing yourself and your toddler from the situation until he’s calmed down. 

[What Does My Baby’s Cry Mean? 10 Reasons Why Babies Cry – And How To Stop Those Tears]

[Controlled Crying: The Pros And Cons Of This Baby Sleep Training Method]