Tips for Calming Fussy Babies

Every time your baby begins to fuss more than usual, you feel helpless. Yes, babies are supposed to cry—that’s how they communicate. However, incessant crying is a signal that your child may need more support and attention than what they’re currently getting.

The question is, what is the best way to calm down a fussy baby? 

Fortunately, a number of strategies can help with calming fussy babies quickly, therefore giving both you and your child a peace of mind. Here’s everything you need to know about how to stop a baby from crying.

Give Your Fussy Baby a Massage

If your child won’t stop crying, try giving them a massage to soothe them. Start by stroking your fussy baby’s head, going from their forehead to the back of their neck. Massage in slow strokes, one for every breath you inhale. 

Note that you can massage your child in this way when they are in their crib, or when you are holding them. In no time, your child will likely fall asleep. Consider adding a soothing humming sound or a “shhh” during the gentle massage as well.

Swing Your Child

If you’re wondering how to stop a baby from crying, you may want to enlist the help of a baby swing. Some little ones find it easier to stay calm with the help of a gentle, slow swinging motion, as it reminds them of the movements they experienced when in their mothers’ wombs. Still, don’t overdo this motion by putting your fussy baby in a swing constantly; otherwise, they may become desensitized to it over time. You can also rock your child to sleep in your arms or in a baby carrier.

If your child ends up falling asleep in their swing, be sure to move them to their crib, placing them on their back. Be sure that no suffocation hazards, like bumpers, blankets, or toys, are in the crib with them.

Introduce Relaxing Sounds

You can also calm down a fussy baby by playing soft music for them in a quiet, dark room featuring no distractions. Alternatively, white noise, a clock that makes a ticking sound, or even a humming fan can provide the soothing background noise that your child needs to fall asleep quickly.

A device that produces white noise may be a viable option for you as you explore how to stop your baby from crying. That’s because this calming sound may remind them of being in your womb. Likewise, a recording of someone’s heartbeat may soothe your child by recreating their womb experience, where they heard your heartbeat day in and day out.

Choose the Right Position for Your Child

Your fussy baby can also be calmed down simply by being held in the right position. Gather your child into your arms, then place them on their left side. This may help with digestion and provide support for their stomach. You can also gently rub your child’s back at this time until they fall asleep. Afterward, put them down in their crib on their back.

Swaddle Your Child

Yet another way to soothe a fussy baby is to swaddle them in a thin, large blanket. This can help your child to feel more secure by mimicking the feeling they experienced in your womb. Your child’s doctor can show you the proper way to swaddle your little one.

Feed Your Child Wisely

Finally, consider changing your child’s diet if you find that your baby is still fussy after you’ve tried our other tips. 

If you breastfeed your child, consider cutting back on caffeine or milk products, which could be irritating your child through your breastmilk. Likewise, try to avoid inflammatory or spicy foods, such as cabbage or onions, and see if that helps your little one.

If you bottle-feed your child, you may want to simply switch to a new formula. A formula designed specifically for babies with sensitive stomachs may be the solution to your child’s fussiness.

Also, when you feed your child, don’t overfeed them, as this might make them uncomfortable. In addition, try to allow two to two-and-a-half hours between feedings. When it’s not feeding time, calm your child with a pacifier if you can, as sucking is known to calm many babies.

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