How to Calm a Crying Baby

Is your child crying? Read on for tips on how to soothe them.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. 

   Swaddle your child. Start by taking a blanket and turning it so it makes a diamond shape. Lay the child on the blanket with his/her head on the top corner. Take the right corner and wrap the child's right arm down at their side, tucking the corner in under the child's back on the left side. Then, fold the bottom corner up over the feet (don't cramp their toes!). Lastly, fold the left corner over to the right snuggly

2. 

   Hold the child and walk around the room/house/block. Try singing, reading or talking to the child.

3. 

   Try turning on "white noise". A hair dryer, the clothes dryer, static on a TV or radio, running water, or even the vacuum. Sometimes the rhythm and sounds of a car driving can comfort a child.

4. 

   Put the child in a swing or bouncy chair. Remember that each child is unique, he/she may like the lights, music, and vibration on, or off, or any combination of the three.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to remain calm, you child takes cues from your emotions.

[sgfgirl]

on 2/17/2009 Swaddling worked great for out little one. Great tips!

[CCrock]

on 11/19/2008 These are all great tips that work. Another trick is while rocking them in the chair, or gently bouncing while holding them, is to gently pat them on the bottom...it creates a soothing rhythm. My mom told me to try it when I was babysitting a crying baby as a teen and it worked....it has since worked many times on my own baby.

[StarrySkye]

on 11/9/2008 Ah....I remember these days! Great tips for parents getting started...very important to know! Thanks for writing!