As a parent, one of the most heartbreaking things to experience is to hear your baby cry. Sometimes it only takes a quick feeding or a diaper change before your baby is all smiles. However, there are times where you have exhausted every possible solution, and your baby is still crying. An inconsolable baby can be enough to drive you to tears, but don’t lose faith! If you have ruled out obvious reasons and your baby doesn’t have any illnesses that would warrant a trip to the doctor, try the following 5 techniques that will help soothe your fussy little one.
Swaddle Your Baby
According to experts, swaddling your baby helps to create a womb-like feeling. Parents often find that by swaddling their babies, they calm down faster and sleep longer. If your baby is older, feel free to leave their arms out of the swaddle to provide more freedom or the opportunity to self-soothe.
Rock Your Baby
One of the most timeless techniques to soothe a bay is to rock a baby in a rocking chair or a glider. When you rock a baby, a calming reaction is triggered by a combination of cardiac, motor, and central regulations in the body and brain. Modern day parents can achieve the same sensation with hands-free options like a baby swing or an automatic cradle.
Play White Noise
Similar to how swaddling reminds baby of the womb, white noise does the same. Invest in a white noise machine that mimics a rhythmic “whooshing” sound. The humming sound of a fan or vacuum can simulate a similar noise. If you don’t have any noise gadgets on hand, you can try hushing your baby.
Turn off the Lights
Babies can often get overstimulated. Being in a bright room with all sorts of noises can be too distracting for a baby who was once in a dark womb for nine months. Shutting the curtains and turning off the lights will help to create a more calming atmosphere.
Colic Carry
Sometimes the reason behind why a baby is crying is due to colic. Colic occurs in about 1 out of 5 infants. Colic is defined as crying that lasts more than 3 hours per day for more than 3 days out of the week. While there is no real cause or cure to colic, researchers think that colic may be linked to gas. The “colic carry” provides pressure on the baby’s stomach and helps to relieve any pent-up gas.