How to Soothe Your Newborn During Their Fussy Period

Help baby get over his fussiness.

Many newborns have a period once a day when they scream and cry. Some people call it their witching time and others call it colic, but true colic would happen more often.

Instructions

1. Pinpoint around what time your baby starts her fussy period. It's usually the same time of day, give or take 15 minutes. If you can figure out when its going to happen, you can plan ahead to try to soothe her and be in your best mind to care for her.

2. Get everything you might need collected in one spot about 10 minutes before you think it's going to happen. This might include a recliner or a comfortable spot on the couch, a book, the remote control, a bottle of water and a blanket.

3. Put your baby in a baby carrier and go for a nice, long walk before the fussing begins. If the weather is nice, walking is a great thing for the baby. The fresh air usually helps a baby sleep well.

4. Come back from your walk. If your baby did not fall asleep, bending at your knees and bouncing him often helps as the baby gets fussy. Try gently swaying, bouncing and jiggling.

5. Watch TV, read or otherwise sit quietly once your baby falls asleep. Keep her asleep on top of you, with skin to skin contact, so she feels and smells you.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't ever try to put the baby down during this time

• You can try feeding the baby.

• Don't confuse fussy time with colic. Remember fussy time happens everyday for a specific time period. Colic usually happens after a feeding.

• Usually baby is most comfortable with mom.

References

• Palo Alto Medical Foundation: Normal Newborn Fussing