How to Settle a Fussy Baby
Just as all adults are individuals with different wants and needs, so are babies. Part of having a baby is dealing with fussiness. The trick to handling your fussy baby is to know what works on most babies and trying those methods first. After a while, you will get to know what usually works for your baby and what does not. Most calming techniques consist of rhythmic motion, soothing sounds, visual delights and touching, according to AskDrSears.com, a website run by a family of doctors and pediatric specialists. These methods assume your baby is not hungry, tired or in need of a diaper change.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Wear your baby in a sling. According to AskDrSears.com, a sling is the most useful tool for preventing fussiness. Infant researchers from all over the world note that babies who are carried more fuss less. Slings serve many purposes. They confine the baby, which is comforting because it creates a womb-like environment. The baby is near the parent's voice, of which she has become accustomed. Because the infant is so close, the mother can know exactly when the baby starts to fuss and can often stop the behavior from becoming worse. Babies in slings are also not bored because they get a lot of visual stimulation.
-
2
Dance with your baby. The dance motions that babies like best are a combination of up, down, side-to-side and back-and-forth.
-
-
3
Put your baby in a swing. If it is possible, try out different swings before buying one. Some babies prefer the kinds that hang from the door where they can bounce instead of the wind-up or automatic swing that babies sit in.
-
4
Take your baby for a car ride. It usually takes at least 20 minutes of driving in the car to settle a fussy baby if this method is going to work.
-
5
Put your baby in a stroller, and go for a walk. Most fussy babies prefer the big, comfortable strollers to the small, collapsible kind.
-
6
Play sounds or sing to your baby. Try putting a ticking clock next to him, sitting him in front of the running dishwasher or washing machine, playing a recording of ocean sounds or a recording of favorite children's songs. Babies tend to like classical and easy listening music, according to AskDrSears.com.
-
7
Put your baby in front of a mirror, show her interesting things or make faces at her. Babies can be interested in the normal things you have around the house, such as an aquarium, a fan, your pets or even watching you in the shower.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Experiment with different ways to wear your sling for the most comfort. You can change sling positions depending on your or your baby's needs at the time.
