Ways to Soothe a Fussy Baby

Suggestions on How to Calm Your Newborn

Dec 16, 2007 Jennifer White

Most parents struggle to know how to calm their fussy baby. Multiple ways to soothe baby are detailed in this article and will help parents comfort a fussy baby.

The fussy nature of a newborn baby can be very overwhelming to new parents. At times, the frustration of not knowing how to soothe their fussy baby can leave parents grasping and straws. They may find that what soothes their fussy baby is often hit or miss. Below is an abbreviated list of calming methods. It may well be that parents can find success with one of these comfort measures for a fussy baby. Parents can also try and combine methods from some of the categories.

Address Basic Needs

• Feed baby. Nursing mothers need to understand that it is normal for infants to require feedings often. In the early weeks, during growth spurts or amid cluster feedings, babies may need feedings as often as 12-16 times per day. For more information see: Is Baby Getting Enough Breastmilk?
• Burp baby. Sometimes burping a fussy baby is easier said than done. Try different burping positions and be patient.
• Change baby's diaper.
• Check clothing. Irritating clothing or even the tiniest of hairs wrapped around a toe sometimes causes discomfort. Remove clothing from baby and check his body to see if that is the source of the fussy behavior.

Reduce Stimulation

• Dim the lights.
• Reduce noise.
• Swaddle. Swaddling is often a tried and true method of reducing stimulation. Tight swaddling and placing in a crib or continuing to hold baby may reduce fussing.

Use Gentle Physical Touch

• Use massage techniques. A great reference book is Infant Massage: A Handbook for Loving Parents by Vilma Schneider McClure (Bantam Books, New York 2000).
• Carry baby in a sling.
• Try different comfort holds that reduce gas and colic.
• Take a warm bath with mom or dad.
• Lie down and place baby on the chest with head near the parent's heart. Try to cradle baby’s head with light pressure applied from the parent's chin or armpit. This imitates the sensation of the head against the cervix.

Use Soothing Sounds

• Sing lullabies.
• Use "white noise". Run a vacuum cleaner or the dishwasher to create some background noise.
• Use a metronome.
• Place a soft toy that hums or vibrates near the baby.
• Play tracks of womb sounds or a heartbeat.

Use Calming Movement and Motion

• Swings and bouncy seats can be soothing to a fussy baby.
• Rock baby in a rocking chair.
• Take baby for a walk or a drive in the car.
• Stand and hold baby with her back to your chest. Support her body with one hand over her belly and the other hand pushing her legs up to her belly. The parent should bend his own knees and sink back on his heals. Do this gently and repeatedly. Adding a calming "shh" noise or saying baby's name may also soothe the fussy baby.
• Hold baby in your arms. Gently bounce on a yoga ball or small trampoline.
• Position baby to look at a moving fan, toys, or aquarium.
• Have baby look into a mirror.
• Let baby watch the parent walk on a treadmill or other device.

If a parent or guardian is feeling so overwhelmed by the needs of a fussy baby, he should call someone (a friend, a pediatrician, a family member) immediately. Consider placing the swaddled baby in the crib, and simply leaving the room if the adult needs some time to gain composure. Those moments are understandable, even for the most wonderful of parents.

The final tip is that parents should remember that slowing the pace at home is crucial to preventing the fussy baby. Babies feel comforted with smooth routines. Creating a peaceful environment can possibly head off problems. For when problems occur, try some of the suggestions above to soothe a fussy baby.

Resources:

Brazelton, T. Berry. Calming Your Fussy Baby the Brazelton way : Advice from America's Favorite Pediatrician, Reading, Mass. ; Oxford : Perseus, 2003.

Garbedian, Helen. Itsy Bitsy Yoga: : poses to help your baby sleep longer, digest better, and grow stronger. New York : Simon & Schuster, c2004.

Kellymom. My baby is fussy! Is something wrong?, May 18, 2001.

Willam Sears, M.D., and Martha Sears, R.N. The Fussy Baby Book: Parenting Your High-Need Child From Birth to Age Five, New York, N.Y. : New American Library, 1987.

The copyright of the article Ways to Soothe a Fussy Baby in Infants & Toddlers is owned by Jennifer White. Permission to republish Ways to Soothe a Fussy Baby in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

A Fussy Baby May Have a Specific Need.