5 Tips for Soothing a Crying Newborn

Few things are more panic-inducing than a baby’s cry, especially for brand-new parents. Trust us when we say we’ve been there, and trust us even more when we say we can help. 

Dr. Caleigh Rodriguez and our team know what a seemingly endless fit of crying can do to parents, so we prioritize bringing you the best information possible. 

Here are five super easy things to try to get your bawling bundle of joy to snap out of their whining. 

Why is my baby crying?

That’s a great question. Babies cry for many reasons: dirty diapers, growth spurts, hunger, sleepiness, and the list goes on. 

But sometimes, it’s hard to pinpoint what’s causing their tears, especially when they have a full belly, a clean diaper, and a nap. The truth is, until around age two, when they start to talk, babies can only communicate through grunts, squeaks, coos, and, yes, full-on tantrums. 

Some babies develop colic, which is frequent, intense, prolonged periods of crying or fussiness. 

Remember that your baby’s crying doesn’t reflect your parenting. All babies cry (some more than others) throughout infancy, so don’t panic when your baby doesn’t seem consolable. 

Your best course of action is first to remain calm. If necessary, place your baby in a safe place like their playpen or crib, and take a moment to steady your breath and regain your nerves. 

Then, return with these strategies in your back pocket. 

1. Bring in the soothing sounds

Music and gentle sounds are calming to your baby’s frazzled, overstimulated nervous system. Soothing sounds can stabilize their heart rate and breathing and help them to relax quickly. 

We recommend having a playlist on your phone, a go-to song in your head, or a sound machine that plays gentle sounds for you. 

2. Get bouncing

Bouncing and rocking are another tool for a fussy baby. Your baby just spent nine months in the womb being rocked by your movements — try to mimic those as much as possible.

You can hold your baby and bounce or rock, sit in a rocking chair, or place them in a bouncer or swing. 

3. Go dark

Have you ever been bothered by lights and harsh noises? Your baby feels that overstimulation tenfold. We recommend dimming or turning out the lights and shutting out any unnecessary noise. 

Doing this also mimics the atmosphere of the womb they just left and were most comfortable in. 

4. Try the swaddle

Whether you go old school and swaddle with a blanket or have a fancy velcro sleep sack, swaddling is another of our favorite fussy fighters. Your baby prefers a tucked-in tight position like they were inside the womb.

If you’re not into swaddling, try cradling your baby close to you or wearing them in an infant carrier so they feel your presence. 

5. Take a walk

Weather permitting, take your kiddo for a stroll around the block. Some fresh air will do you both good, and the change of air, light, and scenery can significantly improve your baby’s mood. The rhythm of your steps may even lull your little one to sleep. 

When all else fails

Parenting is day-to-day, and we can promise your baby won’t always scream and cry. If you’ve tried our five tricks and your baby still seems unhappy, remember to make sure they’re not sick, tired, hungry, or dirty. 

You can try offering a pacifier, giving them a gentle massage, bicycling their legs to work out trapped gas, taking a bath, or making a silly face to distract them.

We recommend calling reinforcements if you’ve checked every box with no luck. Call a trusted friend or family member, or pass your baby on to your partner. Maybe a new face and smell is all your baby needs to snap out of their fit. 

You should schedule an appointment with us after the dust has settled. We’d love to meet you and your family and discuss what’s causing distress on the home front. We can customize a game plan to help you and your family restore harmony.

A fussy baby isn’t fun to deal with, but at least you don’t have to do it alone. If you want more guidance and support with your newest addition, call our friendly staff at 830-745-4631 or use our online booking tool today. We proudly serve families in the New Braunfels, Texas, area.