Babies cry. That’s something that we all learn well before we become parents ourselves, but it’s only when we have a child of our own that we realize just how much and how often they can cry.
Sometimes, it’s easy to understand why your baby is crying; they might be hungry, tired, or need a diaper change, for example. Other times, the reason is a lot harder to discover and nothing you do seems to calm them down.
Fortunately, experts and parents alike have developed all sorts of techniques over the years to calm crying babies. Here are 30 proven remedies for a fussy infant.
1) Massage The Tips Of The Toes
Experts suggest that massaging various specific parts of the body can have a very soothing effect on infants.
If your child is teething, massaging the tips of their toes can relieve their pain and discomfort very effectively.
2) Swaddling Can Work Wonders
Coming out into the big wide world can be a scary and stressful experience for many babies, and research has shown that they often enjoy being swaddled up in a blanket.
Experts believe that this is because the blanket is able to recreate a cozy, warm, womb-like sensation for the baby, and a lot of parents find that this technique really can soothe a crying child.
3) Rock-A-Bye Baby
It’s a classic, but it’s very effective. Simply rocking your baby gently from side to side can be a super way to soothe their cries.
It’s important to get the right technique, however, and every baby will react differently. The best way to start is to hold your baby in your arms while standing with feet reasonably far apart and then rotating your hips back and forth.
4) For Sinus Pain Or Discomfort
Experts suggest that there are actually pressure points down in a baby’s feet which can help to relieve sinus pain or discomfort.
So, if your baby is feeling a little stuffy, applying a little pressure and gently massaging the central areas on the bottoms of their toes can help a lot.
5) More Massage
Continuing the massage theme, it’s actually possible to ease congestion in the chest through the right kind of massage too.
The experts say that rubbing the pads of the feet, under the toes but above the arch, can help to relieve signs and symptoms of congestions and coughs.
If your baby is suffering from this kind of issue, however, it’s vital to consult a doctor too.
6) Good Vibrations
Believe it or not, babies quite like the vibrating motion of something like a washer or dryer. It has a soothing effect for them.
So, if your little one can’t stop crying, placing them on a thick blanket or a safe child seat on top of one of these machines might do the trick to calm them down. Just be sure to provide constant supervision to keep your child safe.
7) Sucking
We all know that pacifiers are often a baby’s best friend, and they can help greatly when infants start to get fussy too.
If you don’t have a pacifier nearby, encouraging your little one to suck their own (clean) thumb or finger, or even one of your own, can help them calm down nicely.
8) Swing, Swing
A baby swing can be a life-changing investment for some moms and dads out there.
Baby swings help to provide those rocking, rhythmic movements that babies tend to enjoy, but it’s vital to choose a suitable model for your little one in which they’ll be safe and cozy.
9) Go For A Drive
In the same way that babies enjoy rocking movements and vibrations, they can also feel very relaxed out on a drive.
Obviously, you won’t want to drive too quickly or erratically, and it’s important to ensure that your child is safe at all times, but the movements and vibrations of a vehicle can help soothe crying children.
10) Skin To Skin
Many parents say that one of the surest techniques for calming a crying baby is a little skin-to-skin contact, holding them close to your chest while lying on your back.
This technique can also be very soothing for parents too, letting you cuddle up with your little one beneath a warm blanket.
11) Soothe The Solar Plexus
The solar plexus is a bundle of nerves in the center of the torso, between the stomach and the lungs.
When babies feel tummy pain, this area can be greatly affected. To soothe that pain and discomfort, massage the center of the baby’s feet.
12) Super Sling
Baby slings can be worn and used by both moms and dads, offering a warm and comforting coccoon for your little one.
This kind of cozy space is exactly what babies tend to enjoy the most, helping them feel safe and secure, as well as being close to their parent.
13) Rocking In The Rocking Chair
Rocking chairs are made for rocking, so they’re simply ideal to enjoy with your infant, especially when you’re feeling a little too tired to rock them while standing.
Cradle your baby in your arms and remember to sit down comfortably, as you might be there a while.
14) Turn On A Fan
This might sound like a strange one, but if you have a fan in the house and can’t stop your baby from crying, try switching it on.
Many parents have claimed that the soft hum of a fan helps to calm their children. Remember not to place the child directly in front of the fan, however, as the cold air could have an adverse effect.
15) Reflexology
Reflexology experts suggest that massaging the area between the center of the baby’s feet and the pads of their feet is a great way to ease any pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen.
This can be a great solution if it seems like your baby is suffering from constipation or indigestion.
16) The Answer To Gas
Gas is a common cause of crying in little ones, and it can be a tricky problem to solve.
Massage experts and many parents suggest gently rubbing and stroking the area between the baby’s heel and the center of their feet, as the nerves in this area connect directly with the lower abdomen.
17) White Noise Wonders
We saw earlier that some parents make use of fans to create a soothing hum or vibration noise that babies seem to like.
In fact, they tend to enjoy almost any kind of white noise. You can can find videos online or even just turn on a vacuum cleaner or invest in a purpose-built white noise machine.
18) A Simple Hush
Maybe you don’t have any fans, white noise machines, or vacuum cleaners around.
Well, in that case, all you need to do is say “Shh” to your baby.
We see parents do this all the time, but that’s because it really can work and a lot of babies respond well to repeated shushing.
19) One Final Foot Massage
There’s one last foot massage every parent needs to know. For this one, you need to focus on the heels of your baby.
The nerves in this part of the foot are linked to the pelvis and tummy. Babies can experience pain in this area as they grow and develop, so rubbing the heels can offer a lot of relief.
20) Head Outside
Sometimes, a simple change of scenery can suffice to calm a fussy baby.
Taking them outside for a little fresh air when they can see new things and listen to different sounds might distract them from whatever they were upset about in the first place.
21) Singing
It doesn’t matter if you don’t have the voice of an angel, your baby won’t mind one bit.
Many little ones enjoy being sung to, so it helps to know a few little lullabies, but even singing your favorite song can work wonders as the baby doesn’t really know the difference.
22) Bath Time
This one will really depend on your child. Some love to be bathed, others get very fussy when they hear the water running.
If your baby falls in the former category, preparing a tub with warm water and even added some mild aromatherapy products can produce very relaxing effects for both of you.
23) Turn Off The TV
Sometimes, babies might cry because they’re just feeling a little overwhelmed by all the noise and action in your home.
Turning off the TV, dimming the lights, cutting the music, and creating a calmer atmosphere can go a long way to calming them down.
24) Check The Temperature
Maybe your baby is feeling a little too hot, or a little too cold.
Checking the temperature in your home and making adjustments, or giving your baby an extra cozy blanket to warm them up, could make all the difference.
25) The Colic Carry
If you haven’t heard of the ‘colic carry’ or ‘colic hold’, you might be missing out on a super trick to soothe your little one.
This technique is when you actually hold the baby in a way that lets them lie flat on their stomach, stretched out on your forearm.
It works by applying pressure to the stomach, soothing any pains or discomforts and helping with gas too.
26) Play Time!
Babies can get bored, just like the rest of us. Sometimes, a little play time and stimulation is all they need.
These days, there are countless toys, playmats, and other fun accessories you can use to entertain your little one, or even a simple, old-fashioned game of peek-a-boo can work wonderfully.
27) General Massage
We looked at some specific forms of foot massage earlier on, but even just a general massage can help ease your baby’s fussiness.
Little rubs and strokes around the head, face, shoulders, tummy, and other areas can all be effective.
28) Nursing Problems
Maybe you’ve tried a lot of these tips and just can’t seem to get your baby to calm down. The problem might not be with your baby, but with you.
If you’re nursing, certain foods in your diet could directly impact or irritate your infant. Examples include coffee and dairy products, so try eliminating these from your diet for a little while.
29) Teamwork
There are times when a baby might prefer to be comforted by one parent, and other moments when they might prefer the other.
If one of you can’t seem to get your child to calm down, let the other take a turn. The baby might respond differently to the smell and feel of their other parent.
30) If All Else Fails…
If your baby simply won’t stop crying and nothing seems to work, a visit to the pediatrician is the best solution.
Your baby might have developed colic, which affects 20% of all infants, or they might have another health problem that needs to be treated.
Looking after a little one is a big responsibility, and nobody wants to see their child cry and suffer, but these tips should be able to help you appease your bundle of joy more easily.
Above all else, it’s important to remember that babies cry a lot for all kinds of reasons. They cry when they’re hungry, when they’re tired, when they feel hot and bothered, and much more.
When your little one starts to cry, don’t panic or fear the worst. Keep cool and try out some of these tips, as well as checking whether or not your baby wants some milk or needs a diaper change.
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