12 Ways to Soothe a Fussy Newborn

The first cry of your newborn baby is thrilling; it means they’ve officially entered the world, but this novelty soon wears off when your newborn is crying morning, noon and night. Sometimes there’s a straightforward solution to stop the tears – they might be hungry, tired, hot, cold – whereas other times, it’s not so easy. Here’s a list of 12 ways you can soothe a fussy newborn.

Baby swings

Babies like constant motion and the rhythmic movement of a baby swing could be just what your baby needs. The added benefit of this is they will bounce themselves and free up your hands to get other stuff done. Make sure the swing is size appropriate so they don’t slump over.

Take a walk

The consistent movement provided by a car or pushchair can have a similar effect as the baby swing and could be the ideal solution to soothe a fussy newborn. Take a stroll around the block or a drive round town.

Find Dad

Many mums will admit that sometimes all baby needs is Dad and there could be a variety of reasons for it – maybe Dad’s arms rock quicker, maybe Dad’s hands are stronger and feel more comforting – whatever the reason, don’t be afraid to pass the baton and give yourself a break.

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Swaddle them

Feeling cozy is one of the best ways to soothe a fussy newborn. Try swaddling them in a thin blanket and you might find that your baby sleeps for longer too.

Do some vacuuming

For some babies, the combination of noise and vibration can be quite calming as it mimics the constant string of sounds heard in the womb. If you can’t get your newborn to settle, try turning on the hoover and see what happens.

Have a cuddle

Trying to find the reason behind why your baby is crying may be nothing more complicated than they want a cuddle.

Is it colic?

A large percentage of babies suffer from colic and it can be terrible for both baby and parents. The constant crying normally peaks around six-weeks-old and will hopefully have resolved itself by the time they’re three-months-old.

Go outside

A simple change in surroundings can be enough to soothe a fussy newborn. Craving stimulus, the change in scenery by going outside could be enough to calm them.

Are they too hot or too cold?

Being uncomfortable is enough to make anyone irritable. If your baby is crying, they might be trying to tell you they’re too hot or too cold. Be sure to check their temperature by resting a hand on their stomach and adjust the amount of clothes they’re wearing accordingly.

Try a pacifier

Some parents won’t agree with using a pacifier but it can’t be ignored that pacifiers are a great comfort to some babies.

White noise

The sudden quiet outside the womb can be disconcerting for some babies. White noise will provide a little background sound that will help them to sleep more soundly.

Sway

Rocking your baby is an instinctual habit and there’s a good reason for it too. The gentle motion of swaying your baby will help them to relax, feel comfortable and calm.

Resources:
https://www.babble.com/baby/calm-fussy-baby/
http://www.parents.com/baby/care/newborn/ways-to-soothe-fussy-newborn/