One of the most frustrating challenges a new parent faces is soothing her crying baby, especially one who has been recently fed, changed, and loved. Luckily, the members of the Mom365 Community have been there and done that. Here are their top ten ways to help a crying newborn baby calm down.
Your newborn loves to feel safe and secure, like he did when he was in-utero. By wrapping him up snugly and securing his arms by his sides, so they won’t flail out and startle him, you’re re-creating that cozy feeling he enjoyed for nine comfy months.
Babies love to suck; it’s a natural reflex in newborns through about three months of age. Some babies begin sucking their thumbs while still in the womb, and for many newborns sucking on their fingers and hands or a pacifier can be very soothing. In a pinch you can also offer your little one a clean pinkie; just touch your finger to the top of their mouth to trigger the rooting reflex.
Your baby might have been well-insulated while on the inside, but she still felt plenty of movement. Try gently bouncing her up and down or swinging her from side to side when she needs help settling down.
Having just emerged from a very loud place—your body, where the sounds of a pumping heart, flowing blood and various other bodily functions can get a bit noisy—newborns are often soothed by the familiar dull roar of white noise. Noise machines, vacuum cleaners, noise machines and vacuum cleaners: try them out and see what works for your baby.
Not only will the movement and change in environment help soothe your babe, but it will help restore your calm as well.
Approximately two to three percent of babies develop allergies to the protein in milk, a key ingredient in many baby formulas, leading to stomach pain, gassiness and general fussiness—cue the tears! If your baby repeatedly shows symptoms like loose stools, vomiting, gagging and irritability, you might want to talk to your doctor.
Newborns are easily overwhelmed by their new reality: the noises, the people, the smells… modern life can be a lot for a little one to deal with all the time! Overstimulated babies can quickly become inconsolable; the best way to soothe your little one in this situation might be to just go dark.
Gas and stomach pain can be the source of some serious infant tears; their still-developing digestive systems can make it difficult to process some of the foods making their way to them through your breastmilk. Modifying your diet might alleviate some gas and digestive discomfort. Always check with your doctor before making changes.
Sometimes distracting your little one will lead to calming, almost as if you hit the reset button. Be careful, though, as it might have the opposite effect on an overstimulated baby.
If you’ve burped your little one after a feeding, but she still seems fussy, try “biking” her legs, which can help relieve any gas that might be causing pain.