Whether your baby has been clinically diagnosed with colic or is simply hard to calm, a fussy baby can make you feel exasperated. The constant crying, screaming and obvious discomfort can have you searching for ways to ease your baby's crying and keep him from starting again. A few common soothing techniques might bring relief to your baby and you. And if your baby is fussy for a long time, try to get a break to save your sanity.
Step 1
Rock your baby back and forth to create gentle motion. According to Parents magazine, motion can sometimes calm a crying baby. If motion soothes your child, consider buying a baby seat or swing. A bouncy chair with vibration or a swing that goes back and forth as well as side-to-side can be helpful. You also can try going for a car ride to see if the gentle rocking motion of the car soothes her crying.
Step 2
Invest in a white noise machine to help your baby settle. White noise mimics the loud but abstract sounds your baby heard while in the womb, according to Dr. William Sears and Martha Sears in their book, "How to Get Your Baby to Sleep." You also can create white noise with radio static, a vacuum cleaner or a running faucet. Place your baby in a safe place near the source of the white noise to gauge whether white noise seems to soothe him.
Step 3
Swaddle your baby in a tight blanket to keep her arms and legs snugly beside her body. Swaddling puts your your baby in an ideal position for calming and sleeping. If swaddling doesn't work, you can try wrapping her in a sling worn tightly across your body. Keeping your baby close against your body can calm her, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. It also allows you to stay hands-free so you can get something done around the house.
Step 4
Analyze your surroundings and any changes in the baby's routine, diet and sleep in the past days. What you think is fussiness might actually be your baby's reaction to a recent change. If you are breastfeeding, changes in your diet can make your baby gassy or uncomfortable. A new sleep schedule might have her overtired. If you can find a cause of her fussiness, you might be able to remedy it.
Step 5
Take a break when you feel stressed out or upset. A fussy baby can make your nerves raw and your decision-making skills weak. If you find yourself thinking of hurting your baby because you are so tired and depressed, lay your baby in a safe place and sit down and rest for 20 minutes, according to Penn State Children's Hospital. Your baby might fall asleep, giving you a few more minutes to recharge. You also might find that if you are more relaxed, you baby will relax too.
Things You'll Need
- Blanket
- White noise machine
References
- Parents: 23 Ways to Soothe a Fussy Newborn
- FamilyDoctor: Colic
- "How to Get Your Baby to Sleep": Dr. William Sears and Martha Sears; 2001
- Penn State Children's Hospital: Coping Skills with a Crying Baby
