How to Comfort a Crying Baby

Comforting a crying baby can be easy or very difficult depending on your knowledge of soothing and your patience. Comfort comes in many forms, and what may seem to work for some babies may not for others. That is why it is important to understand a multitude of methods to comfort the crier quickly and successfully.

Knowing many methods does not make you an expert unless you are able to execute them with expertise. You don't want to try more than one method at a time. Too many things going on while attempting to comfort a crying baby can only add more frustration to you and your little bundle of joy.

Rhythmic rocking is probably the most common form of comforting a crying newborn. You can rhythmically rock baby in your arms, a cradle, or swing. Some babies may like faster rocking while others may like slow and steady rocking. However, you must be very careful when rocking a baby at a fast pace. If you rock too vigorously you can put the baby in extreme danger. You do not want to give the baby whiplash or shaken baby syndrome, so take it slow at first and slightly increase your speed. You can also try rocking baby from side to side slowly. This tends to stimulate some babies while calming others. You will want to test out different forms of rhythmic rocking to determine which is right for your baby.

Walking the floor with baby in your arms works wonders. If you hold the baby in a carrier, sling, or just in your arms and walk at a good pace around the room or outside you will find that baby enjoys the movements and will help them to stop crying.

Swaddling is very comforting to baby. Newborns love the sensation of being wrapped up tightly in a blanket. It makes them feel similar to the feeling they felt in the womb. So when newborn babies are fussy, take a soft clean blanket and swaddle them up inside. Once they are swaddled, you can cuddle next to them giving them a sense of security. You can hold the baby close to your chest and gently pat their back.

Rides work wonders. You can take the baby for a ride in a stroller, car, or carriage around the neighborhood to soothe crying and fussiness. The sounds of the wind, the feeling of the air, and the action have the ability to calm a crying baby quickly. This method also helps get them to sleep.

Warm baths are delightful, especially, when trying to calm down baby. Fill up baby's tub to the specified amount, depending on age, add a little lavender Johnson & Johnson night time bubble bath and slowly clean them up. This method may only work on babies who like water. Some babies may make more of a fuss when they hit the water so make sure baby is bath friendly before placing them inside.

Baby massages works great when baby needs calming. Some babies like to be stroked or have their bellies, backs, legs, and arms rubbed gently. You might also find it as a mechanism to calm both you and baby down, especially when you begin to become frustrated.

Rhythmic sounds are also great. You can purchase tapes of running water or natural sounds. You can also try a tape of uterine gurgling. You may be surprised but the sounds of a vacuum or fan whirling are also noises that may have the tendency to calm your baby. Make sure baby isn't afraid of the vacuum though. This may cause more of a fuss.

Patting baby's back is a great way to calm them down. You may want to hold baby upright over the shoulder and gently pat baby's back. You can even try placing baby belly down on your lap and gently rocking your legs up and down and patting baby's back at the same time.

Last but not least, if you have tried everything, and baby still isn't comforted, you may just have to let baby cry it all out by their self. It is ok to place the baby in the crib and let them cry. Baby has to also learn that you are not always going to respond when they let's out a cry. Give baby some alone time, and then maybe when you come and check on them a few minutes later, your face will be all the comforting that they may need.

I hope this article was helpful God willing!

Resources
What to Expect the First Year by Arlene Eisnberg, Heidi E. Murkoff, and Sandee E. Hathaway, B.S.N.