Kaboutjie SA Mommy Blogs by Lynne Huysamen
Crying is a natural way for babies to communicate their needs, but it can be stressful for parents to hear their little one in distress. Fortunately, there are several techniques you can use to soothe a crying baby and help them feel more comfortable and content. Here are seven tips to try.
***Disclosure -The links in this post may contain affiliate links and I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on a link.***
Check For Basic Needs
The first step in soothing a crying baby is to check for basic needs. Make sure your baby is fed, has a clean diaper, and is not too hot or cold. Sometimes, babies cry simply because they are tired and need to sleep. By addressing these basic needs, you can often quickly calm your baby and prevent further crying.
Try Swaddling
Swaddling is a technique that involves wrapping your baby snugly in a blanket or a sleepsack swaddle. This can help your baby feel secure and comforted, as it mimics the feeling of being in the womb. To swaddle your baby, lay a blanket flat on a surface, fold down one corner, and place your baby on top with their head above the folded corner. Then, wrap one side of the blanket snugly around your baby’s body, tucking it under their back. Finally, fold the bottom of the blanket up and tuck it under your baby’s chin. Make sure the swaddle is snug but not too tight, and always place your baby on their back to sleep.
Use White Noise
White noise can be a great tool for soothing a crying baby. It mimics the sounds your baby heard in the womb and can help them feel calm and relaxed. You can use a white noise machine or app, or even just turn on a fan or vacuum cleaner. Just make sure the noise is not too loud and that your baby is not too close to the source. White noise can also be helpful for getting your baby to sleep and staying asleep.
Rock Or Bounce Your Baby
Sometimes all a crying baby needs is a little movement to calm down. You can try gently rocking or bouncing your baby in your arms or in a baby swing. The motion can be soothing and help your baby feel secure. Just be sure to support your baby’s head and neck and avoid any sudden movements. You can also try different types of movements to see what works best for your baby, such as a gentle sway or a back-and-forth motion.
Offer A Pacifier
Pacifiers can be a great tool for soothing a crying baby. Sucking on a pacifier can help your baby feel comforted and calm down. It can also help distract them from whatever was causing them to cry in the first place. Just be sure to choose a pacifier that is appropriate for your baby’s age and size, and always supervise them while they are using it. It’s also important to note that not all babies will take to a pacifier, so if it doesn’t work for your little one, don’t worry – there are plenty of other soothing techniques to try.
Give Baby A Bath
A warm bath may soothe and calm your baby. There are many home remedies that moms try such as Rooilavental for babies, just make sure to properly research these methods before trying them out.
I tried swaddling my daughter when she was a newborn but she freaked out, she really hates any type of restriction. The best way i found to soothe her was a warm bath before bedtime and then fall asleep on mommy or daddy’s chest.
LOL Stephanie sometimes they fight the swaddle! Both my babies also fought as soon as I swaddled them, but after a minutes they calmed down and relaxed beautifully. Then when they got older they kept escaping out the swaddle 🙂
i really like it because with babys u try everything when they cry and then its just something small like they want to behold or getting cold and this helps to try difrent things
I found swaddling and shushing worked for me, I even downloaded a white noise track and it worked amazing for the first couple of month. But now he’s hit almost 6 months, these things don’t work so well anymore! All he wants now is to be in the arms and to be walked around!
Lauren what drives me crazy with sleep and routine issues, is that every time I think ok I’ve got this everything changes! Suddenly baby goes from needing 3 naps to needing 2 and then have to get the new routine figured out, or a method to soothe that has always been successful suddenly just doesn’t work at all and have to find another way. Well I can’t say my life is boring 🙂
I have to sing travelin soldier from dixie chicks all the time..its the only way she will sleep is when Im singing that song..so my husband tried to get her asleep to play to song in hid phone..and she sadly turned her head around to the phone to see if she can see me…I was heartbroken and said never will I do that again..so now Im singing it and the whole household..lol
Valerie I know what you mean, I struggled so much when my children cried when they were babies. It was heart breaking. At least now that they are older I can ask them what the matter is.
Very helpfull Lynne dummy work for me and wrap up my boy and hold him sometime nothing wants to work in this heat then i wipe him down till bath time he enjoy that and instantly calm again.
Lisa yes swaddling worked wonders for my babies. My son especially just loved being wrapped up in a blanket. And yes the heat doesn’t help at all, it is not easy swaddling a baby when it is so hot!
All of this is so true. the pat on the back or bum always worked with my kids. still to today whenever they feel unhapoy they absolutely love me patting their backs. did the shhhh as well, in a soothing rhythm. it worked wonders
We still do this and it still helps thank you ?