Every now and then, your baby will be a little grumpy and need to be soothed. It’s perfectly normal. That’s why it’s important to have plenty of tricks up your sleeve to soothe baby.
In this post, the baby experts at Mustela will explain the most common causes of your baby’s fussiness. Then we’ll reveal the 20 best ways to soothe your baby and keep them calm and content.
Common Reasons Babies Cry
Babies cry and fuss for a variety of reasons. Here are the most common reasons that you might need to soothe baby.
Your Baby Is Tired
Generally speaking, your baby needs to sleep somewhere between 14 and 16 hours per day. If your little one is under one month old, they may even sleep up to 17 hours per day. That’s a lot of baby sleep!
If your baby is unhappy, they may just need some shut-eye. Put them down for a rest on their back, the only safe baby sleep position.
Your Baby Is Hungry
On average, your little one will need to eat every two to three hours. If you’re breastfeeding exclusively, you may even need to feed your baby every 90 to 120 minutes. That’s why hunger is a leading cause of a grumpy baby.
Your Baby Is Gassy
After eating, your baby may have some bubbles and excess gas in their little tummy. Since they’re still so young and tiny, a little bit of gas can cause a lot of discomfort.
Your Baby Is Too Hot Or Too Cold
If your baby is too hot, they may develop heat rash or diaper rash. If your little one is too cold, they may catch a baby cold or a little baby cough. Either case can result in a cranky baby.
Your Baby Has A Dirty Diaper
A dirty diaper is another leading cause of a baby in need of soothing. If your little one seems squirmy and fussy, check to see whether they need a diaper change.
Your Baby Wants To Be Held
Sometimes, all your little bundle of joy needs is some special attention. When your baby is grumpy, hold them close and speak softly to them.
Your Baby Is Uncomfortable
The final common cause of an unhappy baby is just plain discomfort. Your baby may have begun teething or they may be feeling a little ill. Perhaps they have dry skin or a small skin rash.
There are dozens of ailments that may be causing the discomfort, but if none of the factors above seem to be the culprit, there may be something else causing your baby’s fussiness.
The 20 Best Ways To Soothe Baby
1) Feed Your Baby
A full tummy makes for a happy baby. To soothe your little one, offer them a bottle or a breastfeeding session.
2) Burp Your Baby
Remember to burp your baby for roughly ten minutes after every feed. This will help get rid of extra bubbles and gas in your little one’s stomach that can cause discomfort.
3) Put Your Baby Down For A Nap
When your baby needs soothing, a nap may be the perfect remedy. Put your baby down to sleep on their back and let them doze off until they’re rested and happy.
4) Check Your Baby’s Diaper
Inspect your little one’s diaper to make sure it’s clean. If it’s dirty, change it as soon as you can. Always change your baby’s diaper and clean their bottom the right way.
5) Adjust Your Baby’s Outfit
Feel your baby’s forehead and torso to see if they seem hot or cold. If so, try changing their outfit to soothe your baby. It’s best to dress your little one in thin layers so that you can shed layers when they’re cold or add another layer if they’re too hot.
6) Hold Your Baby
Simply holding your infant is one of the most effective ways to soothe them. Your child needs to feel your touch, and nothing is quite as comforting for your little one as being held by Mom or Dad.
7) Place Your Baby In A Carrier
There are many different types of carriers. The ones that allow your baby’s body to rest against yours while also keeping your hands free are ideal. Try a front-carrier sling or a kangaroo carrier, and always carry your baby the right way for safety purposes.
8) Make Soothing White Noises For Your Baby
To soothe your baby, make whooshing or shushing sounds next to their ear. Consider investing in a white noise machine if the sounds seem to comfort your little one.
9) Coo And Sing To Your Baby
Your child loves to hear the sound of your voice. Coo and sing to your baby to soothe and calm your them as often as possible.
10) Give Your Baby A Gentle Massage
A gentle massage is an excellent way to soothe your baby. With a little bit of Mustela Baby Oil, you can care for your infant’s skin and body and soothe their spirits in one fell swoop.
11) Swaddle Your Baby
Carefully swaddle your little one with a soft blanket or cloth. The feeling of being warm and wrapped in a blanket is often soothing to babies.
12) Give Your Baby A Warm Bath
A warm bath is relaxing for adults and young children alike. Give your newborn a bath to soothe them and put them at ease.
Whenever you bathe your little one, be sure to use baby-friendly skin care products, like Mustela’s Gentle Cleansing Gel and Mustela’s Foam Shampoo For Newborns. Try adding a few drops of Mustela Bath Oil to the water to make the experience extra soothing for your baby.
13) Rock Or Bounce Your Baby
Another effective way to soothe your baby is to rock, swing, or bounce them in your arms. If it’s easier for you, you can place your little one on your knee and bounce your leg to soothe them. Sitting in a swing chair or rocker may also make this activity easier for you.
14) Give Your Baby A Pacifier
A pacifier often does just what its name implies — it pacifies your baby. The physical act of suckling is soothing for your child, and a pacifier allows them to do that even when they’re not feeding.
15) Go On A Walk With Your Baby
Sometimes, a little fresh air and sunshine are all your baby needs to be soothed. Place your little one in the stroller and take a walk around the neighborhood to calm them down.
16) Read To Your Baby
As with singing or cooing, reading to your child can put their mind at ease since it allows them to focus on the sound of your voice. In addition, studies have shown that reading to your child helps their language abilities develop at a faster rate.
17) Make Funny Faces At Your Baby
When your baby is feeling blue, try cheering them up with funny faces and big smiles. Your little one’s attention is drawn to your face and eyes, so your silly facial expressions will help soothe them.
18) Give Your Baby Tummy Time
If your baby is squirming and crying, maybe all they need is a little time to move their body around. Let your baby get the wiggles out with some tummy time. Remember to supervise your child at all times and follow these baby safety tips.
19) Moisturize Your Baby’s Skin
Your baby has soft, delicate skin that is easily irritated and susceptible to a number of skin conditions, from peeling skin and eczema to cradle cap and baby acne.
To soothe your little bundle of joy, always take extra special care of their skin. Apply baby-safe moisturizers, like Mustela’s Soothing Moisturizing Body Lotion, to soothe your baby and ensure the health of their skin.
20) Take Your Baby’s Temperature
If none of the above tips are working and your baby seems ill, take their temperature to make sure they aren’t running a fever. If your little one’s temperature is over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, take them to the doctor’s office ASAP.
Every baby cries and gets fussy sometimes. It’s nothing to be concerned about. Simply soothe baby with the 20 expert tips provided here, and both you and your little one will be back in good spirits before you know it.