Newborn babies cry for many reasons, they
are wet, tired, hungry, cold, hot or need to be held. It is difficult sometimes to know why baby is
crying, especially after you have met all his basic needs such as a clean
diaper, food, being burped or being held.
Below are a few ways to soothe your baby if the crying just won’t stop.
- Hold
baby in your arms while walking or rocking in a chair. Babies need physical contact and enjoy
the repetitive movement. Babies cannot
be held too much or spoiled by being held no matter what you have
heard. You can never give a baby
too much love and attention.
- Use
a pacifier. If baby has been fed
but needs comfort, try using a pacifier.
Babies have an inherent need to suck and this can be soothing to
them.
- Swaddle
baby in a soft blanket. Babies,
especially newborns, love to be snug in a blanket because it makes them
feel like they are still in the womb.
Wrap baby snuggly, but not so tight that he cannot move or becomes
too hot.
- Try
baby massage. Babies love touch so
try gently rubbing baby’s back, legs, feet and arms. Use a little baby lotion that you have
warmed in your hands so your hands glide softly over baby’s skin.
- Play
soft music. Babies like music and
some soft background music may distract and calm baby enough to stop
crying. Try music while you are
rocking baby, too. The combination
is a sure winner.
- Try
a baby swing. Babies love the
rhythmic movement of a swing and will usually calm down enough to actually
sleep. Make sure baby is old enough
to hold his head up safely in the swing and never leave baby unattended.
- Go
into a quiet room. Baby may be
over-stimulated if the room is noisy or too many people have been holding
him. Try taking baby to a quiet room
and walk or rock him for awhile.
- Try
looking into a mirror. Babies love
their reflection so try holding baby in front of a mirror to distract him
from crying. Make silly faces and
smile a lot. This might draw baby’s
attention away from his crying.
- Give
baby a warm bath. Warm water is
soothing and using one of the new baby bath scents like lavender can help
too.
- Take
a drive. If in doubt this one
almost always works. Babies love a
car ride – it lolls them to sleep.
- If
baby has been crying for a long time try handing baby off to another
person to give yourself a break.
Sometimes the sound of a baby crying can stress you out too and
baby can sense your tension. If
this is the case maybe baby will calm down in someone else’s arms.
If baby continues to cry for no reason you can determine take him to your pediatrician. Your baby may be ill or allergic to a food or product you are using. Or your baby may have colic. Whatever the reason, it is better to have baby checked rather than worry that something is wrong. In most cases baby is just letting off steam and needs a little extra attention. Try one or all of the suggestions above until you find what works for you to help soothe your baby.
By
Deanna Lynn Sletten