by Carolyn Robertson posted in Parenting

Rocking, feeding, shushing, bouncing, changing, cuddling. Repeat. You've tried everything you can think of to get your inconsolable baby to stop crying, but there she is, lying in your arms red-faced and still wailing.
We've all been there.
There is something about the pitch of a baby's cries, the desperation of them, that gets under your skin and into your head. When all of the tried-and-true techniques - my go-to was holding my daughter and bouncing for ages on an exercise ball - don't seem to work, parents can come up with some pretty creative ways to dry those tears.
Courtesy of some parents here at BabyCenter and beyond who have been there, done that, here are some real life tips on how to get your baby to stop crying. They may sound a little weird, but they seem to work! 1. The Hood Fan

Sleep-deprived parents have collectively invested a small fortune in white noise machines and apps. Sometimes, though, nothing beats the real thing. This suggestion came up a few times on a recent Reddit parenting thread: "Mine loves to be held right under the cooker hood fan on full," said one dad. "No white noise app produces the same effect. Who knew"!" The vacuum cleaner and the hairdryer also often do the trick!
2. Black and White Stripes

You know you're desperate when you plan your entire wardrobe based on your baby's mood. The sight of black and white stripes seemed to distract my youngest out of whatever baby...