What should I do if I feel overwhelmed with my newborn?

Put your baby down in a safe place like their crib, step away for a moment, take deep breaths, and remind yourself this feeling is temporary. If possible, ask your partner or a trusted person to take over while you take a short break.

Is it normal to feel angry at my crying baby?

Yes, it's normal to feel frustrated or angry when dealing with a constantly crying baby, especially when sleep-deprived. What matters is how you manage these feelings and ensuring your baby remains safe.

What helplines can Singapore parents call for mental health support?

Singapore parents can contact: Hear4U (WhatsApp 6978 2728), Institute of Mental Health's Mental Health Helpline (6389-2222, 24-hour), Singapore Association for Mental Health Helpline (1800 283 7019), Samaritans of Singapore (Hotline 1-767; CareText WhatsApp 9151 1767, 24-hour), or Silver Ribbon Singapore (6386 1928).

How can I prevent myself from losing control with my baby?

Take shifts with your partner to ensure you get uninterrupted sleep, use earplugs to dampen crying sounds, build a support network of family and friends, and have a clear plan for when you feel overwhelmed, such as putting your baby safely in their crib and stepping away briefly.

When should I seek professional help for my feelings toward my baby?

Seek help if you experience frequent thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, persistent feelings of resentment, inability to bond with your baby, or overwhelming guilt or sadness that doesn't improve. These could be signs of postpartum depression or anxiety.

I Screamed at My Tiny Baby

Wei Chun

Last modified: 11-03-2025

Bringing a baby home sounds like it should be all joy and cuddles. But the reality? It often comes with bone-deep exhaustion, a lot of second-guessing, and yes—moments of anger when your newborn just. won’t. stop. crying.

If you’ve ever felt your patience snap, you’re not alone. And you’re not a bad parent. These feelings are more common than you’d think—and there are ways to manage them before they manage you.

A Parent’s Concern

“I never imagined I would react this way. At 19, when I saw the positive pregnancy test, I felt pure joy—not fear. After delivering my son via C-section at KKH, I thought I was ready.

But now that he’s one month old, reality has come crashing down.

Last night broke me. I hadn’t slept properly in three days, and he just wouldn’t stop crying. I tried everything—feeding, changing, rocking. Nothing worked. I snapped. I shouted at him. Said things I didn’t think I was capable of. My husband woke up and stepped in, calmed us both, but I’ve been drowning in guilt ever since.

I’ve read about shaken baby syndrome and always thought, ‘How could anyone do that?’ But in that moment, I understood the breaking point. I didn’t hurt him—but screaming at my tiny baby? I feel like the worst mum in the world.

I love him so much. But in that moment, I wanted to walk away.

How do other parents handle two or three kids? I can barely survive one. I know he doesn’t understand what I said… but I still feel like I’ve broken something between us.”

Our Parenting Guidance

The Science Behind Your Breaking Point

Let’s get real: sleep deprivation is no joke. Going 24 hours without sleep affects your brain like you’ve had too many drinks. Push that to three days, and your brain is running on fumes.

“Sleep deprivation is actually used as a form of torture,” says Dr. Tan, paediatrician at Thomson Medical Centre. “It’s not about weakness—it’s your body reacting to extreme stress.”

Layer that with hormones post-delivery, C-section recovery, and caring for a helpless newborn—it’s a full-blown emotional storm.

Creating a Survival Plan

The goal isn’t to avoid stress entirely. It’s to have a plan before stress takes over.

Tag-team with your partner

Take turns: at least one parent should get a solid 4-hour block of uninterrupted sleep
Use separate rooms, earplugs, or white noise machines
If bottle-feeding, hand over night shifts to your partner

“We split the night into shifts,” shares Mei Ling, mum of a 3-month-old in Tampines. “Even in our tiny flat, it worked. The ‘off-duty’ one slept in the living room with earplugs.”

Manage the crying

Use Loop earplugs or noise-reducing headphones
Know that crying itself won’t hurt your baby—but how we react might
Place your baby safely in the crib if you need a short break

“Those earplugs changed my life,” says Aisha from Yishun, mum of two. “I could still hear my baby, but without that painful intensity.”

Build your support system

Ask a friend or family member for an hour of help—enough for a quick nap
Join parenting groups at community centres or online forums
Consider hiring a confinement nanny, even just for a few days

A little help can go a long way, especially when you’re running on empty.

Techniques for the Moment

When you’re at your edge:

Put your baby down in a safe spot
Walk away for five minutes—breathe, splash cold water on your face
Tell yourself: “This is hard, but temporary. My baby isn’t giving me a hard time—they’re having a hard time.”
Try reframing the crying: imagine your baby saying, “Mummy, I don’t know how to fall asleep. Help me.”

“When mine cried non-stop at 3am, I’d narrate what I thought she was feeling,” shares Farah from Bedok. “It helped me stay calm—even made me feel more connected.”