Picture this: It’s 1 in the morning, your baby is crying and won’t settle. For parents in this scenario, the minutes can feel like hours. A recent study of new moms and dads shows most are just winging it in their child’s first year of life. That means when it comes to stressful moments like this one, not knowing what to do only makes things even harder. Though what works for some infants won’t work for others, we wanted to know the best ways to calm a crying baby, according to experts.
Of course, if your infant isn’t sleeping, neither are you. One study shows that baby sleep problems can lead to parental depression. If your little one is still fussy after being fed and changed, what to do next can have you questioning if your parenting skills are good enough.
Even when they grow older, the moans and groans will wail on, whether it’s a fussy eater who won’t try vegetables or a teen who wants more screen time.
Rest assured that all parents have been there. Moms and dads across the globe have experienced the stress, aches, and pains from dealing with a crying baby at one point or another. It’s not just you, it’s all of us.
So what are some of the best ways to calm a crying baby and save your sanity? StudyFinds compiled a list of the five best ways to calm a crying baby, from 10 expert websites, to soothe your infant. Our list is comprised of tips most suggested across the experts’ pages. As always, we’d like to see your own recommendations in the comments below!
The List: Best Ways To Calm A Crying Baby, 5 Tips, Recommended By Parenting Experts
1. Swaddle
“Swaddling simply means tightly wrapping up baby in a blanket in such a way that makes them feel secure, like being back in their mom’s belly, all warm and comfy,” notes The Bump.
“To swaddle correctly, wrap your baby like a mini burrito with their arms snug and straight at their sides. But let Baby’s hips be loose and flexed,” adds Happiest Baby.
Lightweight blankets work great for swaddling. Keep in mind, once your infant is big enough to roll over, they can no longer be swaddled.
2. Shush
It might feel ineffective, but there’s a reason we do it. The shhhhhhhh sound can be quite effective in calming a crying newborn.
According to Lancaster General Health, “the blood rushing through your veins makes a constant, loud “whooshing” noise that your unborn baby probably became accustomed to. This is why many babies respond to their parents making shushing sounds (shhhhhhhh), and why many sleep experts recommend the use of a white noise machine.”
“Match the volume of your shushing to the volume of your baby’s cry. As they begin to settle, turn your shushing down,” adds Healthline.
3. Sing A Song
“Your baby has no idea whether you sing off-key or with perfect pitch. What she does know is that you’re showering her with song — and love,” notes What to Expect.
A recent study shows only a little over half of millennial parents surveyed knew the words to classic lullabies. But, don’t stress, sing anything you’d like. In fact, foreign language lullabies can help babies relax too.
If you don’t feel like singing, try music. “Some babies love music and will be easily soothed with soft peaceful music,” adds Healthy Mama Hacks.
4. Take A Walk
You might feel a bit nervous taking a crying child outside, but a recent study shows taking a 5-minute walk can help to calm your baby.
According to Parents, “it’s better for you to get outside and get some fresh air. Even if the baby continues to cry, it may cause less stress outdoors than when you’re cooped up in the house.”
“Sometimes a change of scenery is all your baby needs to calm down. Try walking outside and letting your baby see new surroundings or hear birds chirping,” adds Get Parenting Tips.
5. Swinging
“In the womb, your baby was in constant motion, moving every time you did—so the gentle, rhythmic motion of a baby swing is a calming and familiar sensation,” according to 4Moms.
“The best way to successfully use motion to calm a fussy baby is to ensure your rhythmic motions match baby’s crying! If he’s really upset, you’ll need to be fast and jiggly and only slow as his cries stop and he begins to nod off,” notes Baby Brezza.
If all else fails, you can also try a pacifier, as the sucking reflex is soothing. Happiest Baby points out, “Sucking’s power to calm babies is quite extraordinary: It lowers the heart rate, blood pressure and stress levels; it even reduces crying after shots and blood tests.”
Sources:
- The Bump
- Happiest Baby
- Lancaster General Health
- Healthline
- What to Expect
- Healthy Mama Hacks
- Parents
- Get Parenting Tips
- 4Moms
- Baby Brezza
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