Newborns are a blessing to the family. But taking care of the blessing could become a little tricky sometimes.
We know how much you love your baby and what they mean to you. Every little thing about them affects you in many ways be it good or bad.
Shout out to the hard working mothers out there who give all their time and energy to make sure the baby is happy in the new circumstances.
It’s not even easy for the newborn to accommodate to a loud, unfamiliar and cold surrounding.
Thus a fussy newborn is to be handled with utter care and love to make it a smooth experience for both the parent and the infant.
Bear along with us as we try to explain a few ways to help you calm your newborn
Motion therapy
They have experienced motion before birth, and they are accustomed to it. In a way, they feel safe when their world is always on the move. It’s no wonder why every baby on earth till date needed swings and rock-a-bye all along.
- Swing along:
Begin slowly at first and improve your swinging pace according to their reaction to the movements. Some infants prefer slow and lazy swings while other loves to swing fast.
- Do the Rock-a-bye:
Cradle them in your arms in a way that makes it easy for you to make measured intervals and movements that the baby feels comfortable with. Make sure you carry them close to your body but not too tight as they are still nimble.
- Vibrate on:
Apart from natural swinging and Rocka-bye movements, vibrations bring a little change and some infants prefer it more over other methods. Vibrations here are referred to mild movements, not the jerking way.
- Try the outdoors:
Maybe they just want you to hold them and go for a walk in the park? Or place them properly inside baby car seats while you go for a smooth drive.
Calm the babies with some noise
Contradictory to what it may seem, external noises sometimes could help them calm down and divert their attention to the noise instead.
It probably wasn’t so quiet inside the womb and who knows if they’re still seeking those little noises in the outside world. Babies love familiarity, and sounds are a great way to connect with them.
- Mother voice:
No doubt that most babies quickly calm down to the sound of their mother’s voice. It explains why they feel so comfortable around their mother. A mother’s soft tones or a lullaby can easily calm a baby.
- White noise might help:
You could find recordings of white sounds online, or it could be the noise of the waterfall, rain, or the waves of the ocean. Try different low-frequency noises to see what works best for the child.
- The appliances:
It could be the overhead fan or the vacuum, any of them makes noises that are consistent and clean. Turn the appliance on and watch how the newborn reacts to the machine noises.
- Play soft music:
Music with soft beats could help your baby feel relaxed. Play some songs in the background as you swing them slowly; preferable with low or consistent and relaxing tempo.
Other ways
- Sucking onto something:
Newborns love to suck on their little thumb or even their fist. Let them suck onto something that is clean and free from dust. Pacifiers are great in these cases.
- A house tour:
Sometimes, just changing rooms or walking around the house to take them to another part could distract them or make them feel better about the new surroundings.
- Make them feel relaxed:
How about a gentle lukewarm water bath? Or a smooth and soothing massage could elevate their mood.
- Baby’s needs:
A newborn may have lots of issues now and then, be it to change diapers or the basic feeling of hunger. Make sure to check on both the issues whenever they reveal distress.
- The dad job:
In most cases, mother’s bear the maximum responsibility in caring for the newborn. If that’s the case here too, then try letting the newborn interact with dad. He could talk, swing or just carry around holding the little one and give his warmth.
- Maybe try wrapping:
Try wrapping not only because they could easily feel cold, but newborns prefer to stay in the closed and cozy atmosphere. Snuggle with them or wrap them gently with a clean towel to make them feel secure.
- Check on their clothes:
Is it too tight? Do the clothes make them feel uncomfortable or itch? What about their diaper adjustment?
- Make it peaceful:
Shut out any form of harsh lights or excessive noise that may make them feel disturbed. Yes, they might prefer soothing sounds, but not loud dog barks or car horns.
- Watch what they eat:
They could feel bloated and uncomfortable. All you have to do is to make them burp gently. Make sure you know how to do so without hurting them.
- Your newborn could have Colic:
The issue could be the reason why your infant is fussy, but there are certain symptoms to look out for. Talk to your doctor to make sure. Usually, the condition improves after a few months on its own.
- Love your baby:
Babies yearn for love and affection all the time. Hold them close to you and talk sweetly with them to let them feel loved.
- Are they just tired?
Then you probably need to rock them to a short nap. Babies need a lot of sleep but may not realize on their own.
- Don’t be rude:
Of course, you might get a little impatient and neglect them for a while, and we understand that handling a fussy child is a stressful job. However, you could let someone else look after them, while you calm down and take a little break.
- Take note of what you consume:
If you’re nursing the newborn then taking a look at your diet could be helpful. There are certain types of food that a breastfeeding mother should avoid. The newborn could have a little stomach ache from food that they cannot digest well.
- Control the temperature:
You could be wrapping the newborn in a wooly blanket while they feel hot for the temperature. Alternatively, they could be feeling too cold inside the premises. Try maintaining an even temperature that suits them well.
We know how hard it is for the mothers who remain awake all night for their newborns while having to move from their room to the infants. Or allowing the newborn to sleep on the adult’s bed might not work out for them. Consider getting a good co-sleeper bassinet.
You’ll understand your new family member over time, and that will require a lot of patience. Eventually, you will get through it, so enjoy the joy of motherhood as long as it lasts.
Things will be different when they grow older and may not constantly seek for your attention.
If you think you have tried most of the techniques mentioned in the article so far, and you still feel like something is not right, and then contact a pediatrician.
Babies are delicate human beings who constantly need care and supervision. Be with them to share the beautiful bond between the child and the parent.
