As a mother of a 4-year-old, I totally get what it’s like to have endless nights of your baby wailing away. My son, Aarav, was a handful as a kid (still is – but doesn’t cry as much – at least not all night!). At first, I’d do as my mom and mom-in-law asked me to do – feed him, change his diaper if it is wet, or try to put him to sleep. When none of these worked, I would start panicking thinking he might be feeling some physical discomfort that I’m clearly not able to figure. I would believe that I failed as a mother just because I couldn’t stop my baby from crying.
If you’re feeling the same, let me tell you that there is no need to panic or be upset about it. Over time, you will learn techniques that will get your baby to stop crying. Here are some of the techniques I’ve used on my son and have worked like magic – one or the other. It takes a few trials in each technique before you find the one!
5 Ways to soothe a crying baby
1. Take your baby in your arms and move around
When the baby is in its mom’s belly, it isn’t exactly stationary. The baby can feel all movements and is used to constant motion. Placing him in a cradle all day might discomfort the baby because it’s unusually still.
So carry your baby and move around. If that doesn’t work, stand with your feet separated at hip-width and swing back and forth at your hip. When you’re tired of all the movements, you can put him or her in a swing and move it slowly in a rhythmic motion to calm your baby.
2. Make your baby comfortable and warm
One of the other techniques I have used to stop my baby from crying is to cosy him up in a thin blanket and either rocking him in my arms or in a cradle. The warmth probably reminds them of the warm environment of the pregnant belly making them feel comfortable and secure. My son usually slept soundly when I swaddled him.
You could also put him in a baby sling, hold him close to you and rock your baby back and forth until he calms down. The closeness to your skin could also calm them down.
3. Bring in some light noise to soothe your crying baby
I’ve heard that some babies respond to noise and vibration – similar to the mother’s heartbeat or the rush of blood they’re used to hearing in the mother’s womb. Most of us adults, too, need the whirring sound of the fan to go to bed so you could try it with your baby.
You could also use recordings of calm sounds such as sounds of rainfall, waves at the beach, waterfall, etc. You can also get a white noise machine specifically made to calm down a crying baby.
4. Rule out possibilities of stomach discomfort
Your little one may be crying due to stomach discomfort arising from gas. So, try a few techniques such as placing your baby on the shoulder and rubbing his back, moving his legs in a bicycle-riding motion while he lies on his back, or get your doctor to prescribe a medicine to get rid of gas.
5. Take your baby out for a change in scenery
If nothing works, you could take your baby on a drive. The motion of the car on a peaceful road can slowly put your baby to sleep.
Also, a new environment such as a park or a stroller ride could work as a distraction and help you soothe your baby.
Try these easy techniques to soothe your crying baby. Let me know what techniques have worked for your baby in the comments section below.
