Modern Mama Life

Calming your baby 101

There is so much joy and excitement when a baby comes home for the first time but it also comes with sleepless nights and you often wonder how to calm your baby. I remember my initial days of motherhood so clearly when my heart would just break at the sound of my baby crying. I would worry that I was doing something wrong or wasn’t doing enough for him. As a new mom, its common to feel this way.

When a baby cries, it means they are trying to communicate and that is a good sign. They are trying to tell us they want something. Understanding what they need on your part is the challenge. You may be dealing with a newborn, a teething baby or a fussy baby, I hope these tips will help settle your little one.

Why do babies cry?

Befor you begin trying to calm your baby, the first step is to find out why they are crying. There are various reasons why a baby might cry:

Hunger
Tiredness
Diaper change
Colic
Overstimulation
Teething
They want comfort

How do you know what your baby wants?

Whenever your baby cries, there are various signs that will tell you what they want. The most common reasons for a crying baby is either hunger, they may need a diaper change, they are tired and sleepy or they just need a cuddle. These are the first things you must check and rule out.

Hunger

First things first. When did you last feed your baby? Newborns need to be fed atleast once every two hours. Sometimes when they are going through a growth spurt, they may feel hungry more often. Offering a feed can help.

Diaper change

Check the baby’s diaper. It may need changing that’s causing him to be uncomfortable. Pediatricians recommend a change of diaper every 3-4 hours for boys and more often for girls to avoid any kind of infection.

Tiredness or overstimulation

Your baby could be tired. Signs like rubbing eyes, yawning, fussiness can be the cause of crying. Its hard for babies to fall asleep by themselves. Sometimes the best way to calm them down is by putting them to sleep. Overstimulation is when your baby is exposed to multiple new things in a short span of time. New faces. Bright lights. A new place. Taking the baby to a calmer environment can help calm him down too

Cuddles and comfort

Providing comfort for your baby just by simply holding them close can make a huge impact and settle them down immediately. The sound of your heartbeat is something they are very familiar with and that can soothe them and provide instant comfort. Try using a baby wrap for more closeness or try skin to skin contact. These make the baby feel safe and secure.

Gentle rocking

Try gently rocking. Many babies calm down with a bit of movement. You can try walking with the baby around the house or taking him around in a stroller. A rocking chair or just basic swaying from side to side can work wonders too. More often than not, the baby will fall asleep. Works like magic for me.

Swaddling

If you’ve noticed your baby while they are sleep, they tend to raise their hands in the air all of a sudden. This is called the startle reflex. For babies younger than 3 months, swaddling helps in getting better sleep and the baby feels comforted. It gives the baby a feeling of security as it mimics the feeling of being in the mother’s womb and helps calm down quickly.

Release gas/burp the baby

Most babies are colic between the age of 1-3 months. Even a tiny bubble can cause them discomfort. Burping them after every feed can help relieve trapped gas from inside their little bellies. It can cause the baby to be fussy and cry nonstop. Try bicycle legs – moving the baby’s legs in a circular motion as if they were bicycling. This can help release gas too.

Massage and a warm bath

Giving your baby a tummy massage in circular motion can help soothe him by releasing gas followed by a warm bath. it helps the baby’s muscles to relax and allows him to sleep better. You can incorporate this into his bedtime routine.

Sing to your baby

There is nothing more soothing and comforting to a baby than his mother’s voice. Don’t worry if you aren’t a good singer. A soft lullaby or gentle humming is more than enough to calm your baby.

Sucking

This is probably the icing on the cake. It’s usually my go to method when I’m in a public place and want him to calm down instantly. I either feed him or offer a pacifier. Most babies require one to fall asleep however, some may refuse it.

In conclusion, every baby is different. Do not compare your experience with someone else’s. Every parent experiences difficult days, some more than the other. Try creating a consistent sleep routine for the baby. Knowing how to calm your baby does not happen overnight. It takes time and patience, trial & error. Until then, take it one cuddle, one burp at a time.

You are learning alongside your baby!

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