Here are methods you can attempt to soothe a crying baby. It might require a few attempts, but through patience and practice, you'll discern what proves effective and what doesn't for your baby.
Wrap your baby snugly in a large, thin blanket (seek guidance from your nurse or child's doctor for the correct technique) to provide a sense of security.
Cradle your baby in your arms with their body positioned on the left side to aid digestion or provide stomach support. Gently pat their back. When placing your baby in the crib, ensure they lie on their back.
Create a soothing auditory environment by playing calming sounds. White noise machines, the hum of a fan, or recordings of a heartbeat can be reminiscent of the womb and have a calming effect.
Take a stroll with your baby in a body carrier or gently rock them, as these motions can evoke memories of the womb and provide comfort.
Avoid overfeeding your baby, as this may lead to discomfort. Aim for a gap of at least 2 to 2½ hours between feedings.
If it's not yet time for a feeding, offer a pacifier or assist your baby in finding their thumb or finger. Many babies find comfort in sucking.
If discomfort is attributed to food sensitivity, modifying the diet can be a potential solution.
For breastfed infants: Mothers can experiment with altering their diet, observing if reducing consumption of milk products or caffeine results in a less fussy baby. If there's no discernible improvement after dietary adjustments, returning to the usual diet is recommended. While some mothers have reported success by avoiding spicy or gassy foods like onions or cabbage, this is not scientifically proven.
For bottle-fed infants: Consult your child's doctor to explore the possibility of trying a different formula, as this has proven helpful for some babies.
Maintain a diary documenting your baby's wakefulness, sleep patterns, feeding, and crying episodes. Note the duration of feeding sessions and whether crying is more pronounced after meals. Discuss these observations with your child's doctor to assess potential connections between crying, sleep, and feeding behaviors.
Limit each daytime nap to a maximum of 3 hours. Foster a calm and quiet environment during nighttime feedings or diaper changes by minimising bright lights and noise, such as television sounds.
List of essentials for your baby:
Here are alternative reasons why your baby may cry, along with suggestions on how to address those needs. If your baby is...
- Hungry: Keep a record of feeding times and watch for early hunger cues such as lip-smacking or moving fists towards the mouth.
- Cold or hot: Dress your baby in a similar number of clothing layers as you are wearing for comfort.
- Wet or soiled: Check the diaper regularly, especially during the first few months when babies tend to wet and soil their diapers frequently.
- Spitting up or vomiting excessively: Some babies may experience symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (GER), which can be mistaken for colic. Contact your child's doctor if your baby appears fussy after feeding, exhibits excessive spitting or vomiting, or is not gaining weight.
- Sick (with a fever or other illness): Monitor your baby's temperature. If your baby is under 2 months old and has a fever, contact your child's doctor immediately. Refer to "Fever and Your Baby" for more information.
- Overstimulated: Utilise the calming techniques mentioned earlier to soothe your baby.
- Bored: Sing or hum a song quietly to your baby or take them for a walk.
Reasons why parents and caregivers require breaks from crying infants:
If attempts to pacify your crying baby prove unsuccessful, it may be necessary to take a moment for yourself, especially if you are physically fatigued and mentally drained.
- Take a deep breath and count to 10.
- Place your baby in a secure location, such as a crib or playpen without blankets and stuffed animals. Leave the room, allowing your baby to cry alone for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
- While your baby is in a safe place, engage in activities that may help calm you.
- Listen to music for a few minutes.
- Reach out to a friend or family member for emotional support.
- Complete simple household chores, like vacuuming or washing the dishes.
- If you haven't regained composure after 10 to 15 minutes, check on your baby, but refrain from picking them up until you feel more in control.
- Once you have calmed down, return and pick up your baby. If crying persists, attempt soothing measures again.
- Contact your child's doctor if the crying continues, as there may be a medical reason.
Exercise patience. Ensuring your baby's safety is paramount. While it's normal to feel upset or frustrated, it's crucial to maintain control over your behavior. Remember, resorting to actions such as shaking, throwing, hitting, slamming, or jerking a child is never safe and never solves the problem.