Hush Now–4 Techniques For Soothing Your Little One
As any new mother will tell you, soothing a crying child is never as simple as you thought it was before you became a mother! After the usual checks (hungry? tired? wet?) there are a multitude of reasons your baby could be crying and it can be difficult to find the right solution right away, especially in those first few months! Years of experience has taught women a few tips and tricks on how to soothe a crying baby, and these tips are willingly shared between mothers as they realise that one that works can be as precious as gold. We’ve compiled 4 techniques that we’ve found to work, and share them with you here in the hope that they’ll work for you. From baby massage to leg-pumps, we hope you find something in here that works as your magic soothing solution. Good luck!
Teething Trauma
If you suspect teething might be the cause of your baby’s distress, try giving them something cold, smooth and hard to chomp down on. Often a frozen bagel works well, and the shape and texture might distract your little one from some of the pain. It’s awful to watch a child teething and in pain, and often a high temperature accompanies teething, so a cool washcloth on the forehead is another technique that can bring some relief for both of you.
Tummy Troubles
If you think your baby may have gas or a sore tummy there’s a technique that really works, although it seems a little odd at first! Lie your baby on his or her back and gently and slowly pump the legs back and forth, first extending them and then bending them at the knees up toward the tummy again. This action often relieves gas caught in the tummy, and you will see (and possibly hear) the results almost instantly.
Sleep Stress
For tired tots who need a sleep but are fighting it for some reason, a ride in the car can be just what the doctor ordered. Sometimes, an overtired baby will be too worked up to self-soothe in the crib, and while they may calm down when they’re in your arms they’ll generally start right back up as soon as you try to put them down. Put your child in their car-seat and take a few trips around the block. The gentle vibrations can help lull them to sleep and you can then make the transfer back into the crib or, if you have a removable car-seat that reclines, you can take the whole thing out of the car and let them sleep in it inside.
Calm the Mama
It’s incredible how in-tune a newborn baby is to his or her mother–after all, they’ve just spent the last nine months inside of her! Because of this, often a mother’s anxiety over a baby’s reluctance to settle can exacerbate the situation and leave both parties frazzled and stressed. Leave the room for a moment to gather yourself and slow your breathing. Remember that your baby will not keep crying forever and that this is a normal part of raising children. You may like to put some calming music on and, once you feel calm, use some infant massage techniques to gently knead your baby’s arms and legs. Focus on reassuring and calming with your touch and communicating your peaceful state of mind to your baby.