Crying babies are to be expected—it’s how they communicate. But if crying turns to fussiness that simply refuses to calm down, it can be daunting. No matter if you’re a new mom or dad or an experienced one, knowing a little something about how to calm your baby can be a lifesaver for both of you.
At ParentingBug.com, we’ve gathered 10 must-know hacks that parents swear by. These practical, loving techniques can help calm your baby and bring peace back into your home. Let’s dive in.
- Master the Swaddle: The Womb Recreated
Swaddling can recreate the snug, secure feeling of the womb, making your baby feel safe and soothed. When done correctly, it limits the startle reflex and helps babies settle faster and sleep longer.
Parenting Tip: Experiment with a breathable muslin swaddle or a Velcro swaddle blanket for quick, fool-proof wrapping.
Helpful Products
KeaBabies – Organic baby swaddle
Swaddle Me – Original
Love to Dream Swaddle
- White Noise Magic
Newborns are used to noise in the womb—the whooshing of blood, the rhythm of heartbeat, and the muffled sounds of voices. Silence can be unsettling. White noise machines mimic these calming sounds and help mask sudden environmental noises.
Parenting Tip: Pick a sound machine that comes with a personal heartbeat or shushing feature, or use free apps in a pinch.
Helpful Products
Hatch Rest Go – Portable sound machine
Project Nursery – Portable sound soother
White Noise machine for sleeping baby
- Dr. Harvey Karp’s “5 S’s”
A tried-and-true method that entails doing a few calming measures in tandem:
- Swaddle
- Side/Stomach Position (for holding only)
- Shush
- Swing
- Suck
Parenting Tip: Try for 3 or more S’s at once. Swaddle, side hold, and swing while shushing. It’s most often the golden combination!
Helpful Products
The Happiest Baby on the Block
- Use Motion to Your Advantage
Soothing rocking or rhythmic motion calms fussiness. Swings for babies, bouncers, and even stroller rides can reproduce the motion your baby experienced in the womb.
Parenting Tip: Walk around with your baby in a sling. Body heat and motion are very soothing.
Helpful Products
Ingenuity – 6 speed cushion baby swing
Graco – Soothe my way swing
Ingenuity – 5 speed swing and go
- Take a Warm Bath
Warm water relaxes and is able to take your baby’s mind off pain. Night baths are also a signal to sleep.
Parenting Tip: Add some drops of baby-safe lavender-scented soap for relaxation purposes.
Helpful Products
Aveeno baby calming comfort bath
- Tummy Time for Relief of Gas
Gas is a frequent cause of fussiness. Positioning your baby on their stomach (with supervision) or across your lap can release retained air.
Parenting Tip: Pedal their legs when they are on their back, or put a warm towel on their belly to relax muscles.
Helpful Products
Friday baby windi gas and colic reliever
Mylicon – Gas relief drops for infants and babies
Munchkin – Colic and fever rescue kit
- Feeding Check: Hunger or Overfeeding?
Crying due to hunger is self-explanatory, but fussiness can also be due to overfeeding or a bad latch. Ensure your baby’s feeding timing, latch (if breast), and burp requirement are all fine.
Parenting Tip: Employ paced bottle feeding to prevent gas and spit-up.
Helpful Products
Philips avent anti-colic bottles
Tommee Tippee anti-colic bottles
Philips avent natural teats
- Skin-to-Skin Contact
Snuggle your baby up against your chest, which soothes their body, heartbeat, and breathing in seconds. It’s also great for attachment.
Parenting Tip: Skin-to-skin carrier or go without a bra for snuggle time in a blanket wrapped around you and baby.
Helpful Products
KeaBabies – Baby wrap carrier
Boba – Solid baby wrap
Acrabros – Baby wrap carrier
- Watch for Discomfort: Diaper, Temperature, Clothing
A hot or cold rag, wet diaper, or irritating tag can crank up a baby. Babies can’t express how they feel—so a quick once-over can be a big assistance.
Parenting Tip: Dress your baby one or two layers more than you’re wearing, but without overdoing it. Employ zip-up PJs for an easy diaper check.
Helpful Products
Burt Bees Baby – body suit
Burt Bees Baby – Organic baby kimono
Burt Bees Baby – Unisex sweatshirts
- Attempt a Pacifier – Calming With Sucking
Sucking is an innate calming reflex in babies. If your baby is fed, clean, and still upset, a pacifier is a miracle worker.
Parenting Tip: Acclimate pacifiers after breastfeeding is nicely established (most often around 3-4 weeks).
Helpful Products
Philips Avent Soothie
PandaEar – 3 Pack Baby fruit feeder
Nuc – Signature baby dummy
Final Thoughts:
Each Baby Is Unique What works for one baby may not work for another, and that’s perfectly okay. The idea is to try various approaches with love and patience. These tips are designed to make you the master of your castle as a parent and feel more confident as you grow along with your baby and learn his or her cues and preferences.
Parenting Tip: Track what worked and when—it’ll help you spot patterns later on.
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