5 Tips for Soothing a Crying Newborn

Newborn babies cry more in their first three months of life than they do at any other stage. Adjusting to the environment outside the womb can be tough for brand new babies, and there can be lots of reasons for their crying or fussiness like hunger, gas, colic, or just being tired. Crying is the only way your baby knows how to communicate that they need something from you.

As a parent of a newborn, it’s difficult to figure out what your baby needs and how to comfort them. 

At Pediatrician Specialty Practices, we understand that it can sometimes be overwhelming trying to understand how to best soothe and care for your newborn baby. Our caring pediatrician, Nauman Ahmad, MD, FAAP, has five tips to help you calm your crying newborn. 

How to soothe your fussy baby

These are some tried-and-true methods that you can try with your baby to offer them – and you – some comfort and relief.

Swaddle your baby

Babies enjoy feeling snug and secure like they did in the womb. Wrapping them tightly in a thin blanket can help them feel safe and may improve their sleep overall.

Turn on soothing sounds

Calming sounds like a white noise machine or the sound of a fan or a recording of a heartbeat can remind your newborn of being in the womb which is very soothing for them.

Offer a pacifier

Any type of sucking can help to calm your baby's nerves. You can offer your baby a pacifier or even your own finger to encourage them to self-soothe.

Walk around with your baby

Taking a walk around the block with your baby in a stroller could be just the trick to help them be able to calm down. Even walking around the house with your newborn in a carrier or sling can be comforting for them as they feel your presence and the rhythm of your steps. 

Give your baby a warm bath

Many babies find baths to be very soothing, so fill up the tub with warm water and calm them with a gentle bath.

If you feel like you still need more things to try in order to calm and soothe your newborn, talk and sing to your baby, put them in a swing, or lay them on their stomach and pat their back.

Finding the root cause

The best way to make sure your baby is happy and content is to ensure they have everything they need. Your baby always needs to be fed, have a fresh diaper on, and get adequate naps. They’ll be much more likely to be upset if they’ve eaten too much or too little or take naps that are too long or too short.

If you feel like you can’t offer relief to your fussy baby, there might be underlying health concerns. Dr. Ahmad and his team at Pediatrician Specialty Practices are here to provide excellent care for your newborn and help with any health needs they may have. Simply call our office located in Federal Way, Washington at 253-785-3388 or request an appointment online today.