Top tips to soothe a crying baby
Soothing a crying baby can be a daunting task if you are unsure of what method you should employ. The good news is that there are lots of effective ways to dry up those heart-wrenching tears.
Babies love to be held, rocked and comforted. Responding to your baby’s crying as soon as you can is worthwhile and can nip a crying episode in the bud before it really gets going.
You will usually be able to tell what is wrong with him, as you will have come to understand the sound of his cries. Even when you know what the problem is, you may not be able to address it at that second. So, for those occasions when you need to soothe your crying baby, here are some tried and tested ideas:
• Respond to your baby’s tears as soon as possible; this does not mean you are ‘spoiling’ him as some people suggest. In fact, research has proven that babies who feel secure develop better. If you leave him to cry, he will feel insecure and confused.
• Put on some calming music (possibly music you played when he was in utero), or the radio. The noise may be a big enough distraction to halt the crying.
• Cuddle your baby. Hold him in your arms and rock him. Babies love to be rocked as it transports them back to the safety and movement of being inside the amniotic sac.
• Reassure your baby by talking to him in a calm voice. If you become stressed, he will pick up on your tension and you could make it worse.
• Singing to your baby is usually a big hit. Don’t worry if you are tone deaf, any lullaby you sing to your baby will sound like beautiful music to his ear. He loves the sound of your voice.
• Brightly coloured toys: hard rattles, cloth books and mobiles can distract and calm a baby.
• Sometimes, putting a baby in his pushchair and going for a quick walk can solve all your problems. Likewise, certain babies just love to sit in a bouncy chair or rocking cradle and be rocked while watching what is going on in the house around him.
• Often your baby finds the sucking reflex a form of comfort. Try feeding your baby whether it's from the breast or bottle to help them stay calm.
• If you really cannot soothe your baby, a drive around the block in a car may help.
Why not chat to other mums about this, or other topics, by leaving a message on our chat forum. Alternatively, if you want to meet other mums in your area with similar age babies, visit our people section of the site to find out what is happening in your area, or join or start one of our groups.
If you have any unanswered questions, use our questions page to gain wisdom from other mums or our resident experts for all those pregnancy or baby-related niggles. Also, have a look at our Kit section where we list our top-rated baby equipment.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
Last Modified:
Mothercare
ELC
