A crying baby can be distressing to parents and caregivers, as much as the baby themselves. But don’t lose hope, there are many different ways to help them calm down. And it might just be a case of remembering some of the following information.

A well-fed baby is a happy baby. Make sure your baby’s basic need for food is met, whether it’s breast milk or formula. Once you tune into your baby’s eating habits, you’ll get to know how often they need feeding. Remember it’s different for all babies, so don’t feel like there’s necessarily something wrong or that you’re a failure as a parent, if your infant wants feeding more or less often than any textbook suggests. 

Use a pacifier. Some babies learn to self soothe early on in their lives, but if you find your baby is fussy and cries a lot, consider introducing a pacifier to them. They come in all shapes and sizes so, if they reject the first one, try another brand. 

Bathing. Water can be calming and healing to a baby. While this may be less convenient than a quick fix pacifier, for example, bathing your baby is a wonderful way to connect with your infant. If it calms you down too, then you’ll both benefit from this simple solution!

Rocking. Rocking back and forth is a favorite of many mothers because it often gives comfort to an unhappy baby. The key is to find out what works for your baby. It could be a slow gentle rocking or perhaps your baby prefers an infant swing rather than the rocking chair. Experiment with different methods to find the best fit for your baby’s needs.

Sound. Babies are surrounded by the sound of blood flowing as they grow in the womb, but once they are born that constant noise is taken away from them. To replicate this sound try making a “shush” noise near their ear as suggested by Dr. Harvey Karp. He says, “the best way to imitate these magic sounds is white noise.” 

Trying to soothe a fussy baby needn’t be stressful and disheartening. As the caregiver, remember to take a deep breath and calmly consider some basic comforting techniques.

Of course, if your gut tells you something more serious is going on, contact your pediatrician!