Teen Pregnancy Information Center: How To Comfort A Crying Baby

How To Comfort A Crying Baby

My oldest son was just a month old when out of no where he became very fussy. He had eaten well, he was dry and comfortable, and nothing I did seemed to help. I paced back and forth holding him noting that if I sang, he cried louder. Then I remembered I had a tape of Pachelbel's Canon so I put it in out of desperation to try and soothe him. As the first strains of a Metallica song filled the room, he quieted down.

I'm still grateful for accidentally grabbing the wrong tape. : ) All babies cry and some cry more than others. It's very common for a baby to even have a specific "fussy period" which can last for up to 2 hours. This is especially common in later evening but different babies have fussy periods at different intervals. If you find yourself with a fussy baby who is dry, fed, and at the right temperature, there are some other things you can do to help soothe and calm him. It will take time and trial and error to find the things that are most soothing to your baby but if you don't keep Metallica on hand then here are some other suggestions to get you started. Experiment. Try different things and different combinations of things. Sooner or later you'll stumble onto something that your baby really responds well to.

Touch

Try infant massage. This can be very therapeutic for both you and baby. Baby's thrive with touch! It's extremely important to their physical and mental development as well as one of the most soothing things you can offer.
Firmly but gently rub baby's back from the neck down to his bottom.
Firmly pat or rub your baby's back and bottom.
If you think gas may be the culprit to her fussiness, try rubbing her tummy in a clockwise motion and then gently lifting her legs so that her knees push against her chest to let the gas out. Babies often have difficulty expelling gas on their own and this is a great way to help them relieve the pressure.

Position

Cradle your baby snugly in your arms with her tummy facing yours.
Hold your baby higher over your shoulder so his tummy is against your shoulder bone. This can really help with a gassy baby.
Hold your baby facedown over your forearm with her head at your elbow and your thumb and fingers wrapped around her thigh.
Hold your baby seated in your hand with his back to your chest and your other hand across his chest, wrapping your thumb and fingers around his upper arm.
Hold your baby face down across your lap and gently pat her back. (This was a favorite of Benjamin's. He loved the rhythm of the gentle patting so he became my baby drum.)

Rhythmic Motion

Just walk around holding your baby.
Sway side to side or back and forth while standing up and holding baby.
Rock back and forth in a comfortable rocking chair or glider.
You may want to try a baby swing or a bouncy seat if none of the above methods work.
Try a baby sling. This is often called babywearing and is a great way to carry baby around and leave your hands free. In many cultures, babywearing is considered the norm. You may find it works so well that you wear your baby all the time. Despite what was taught 20 and 30 years ago, babywearing will not spoil your child and may make your experience with baby more peaceful and help you develop a stronger bond. Plus you can vacuum and wear your baby at the same time. : )

Sound

Speaking reassuring words in a soft, soothing tone of voice. Getting agitated or yelling at baby will only prolong her fussiness.
Hum and sing familiar songs that you enjoy. He (probably) won't care about the quality of your voice so don't feel self-consious.
Try "white noise" such as the vacuum cleaner, washing machine, clothes dryer, a radio tuned into static, dishwasher or a fan. You can make a tape of these noises to play for baby or you can buy a cd or tape. Ocean sounds can also work very well.
Play music. If the more traditional baby favorites like Brahm's Lullaby aren't cutting it, then don't be afraid to experiment. What music did you listen to while you were pregnant? Remember that your baby was listening too, and will find those sounds soothing and familiar from Ani to Zepplin. Drum beats can be very comforting and I've found Benjamin has a taste for electronica and more eastern style music whereas my oldest, Luke, likes hip hop and rock. Who knew? : ) If you don't have a large music library, you can go to a place like www.mp3.com and try some different things. Jazz is another good one to try. Maybe you'll find your own tastes expanding as baby develops hers.
Dance with your baby. Babies love to dance. : )

Warmth

Swaddle your baby by wrapping him snugly in a blanket. This is something that you should have been shown how to do in the hospital. Your doctor, nurse or maybe your own parents can show you how to properly swaddle a baby. Remember that he was wrapped snuggly by you up until this point and although it may look uncomfortable to us, babies generally feel more secure and comfortable when wrapped tightly.
Hold your baby close to you so she can snuggle into your own warmth.
Place a heating pad where your baby sleeps to warm her sheets. Make sure you don't let it get too hot! Always check the temperature before laying baby down.
Lay your baby face down on a wrapped hot water bottle on your lap and try gently rubbing her back. Again, make sure she does not get too hot.