Soothing Your Newborn…
Is your newborn is crying again? What might it be this time? Knowing your baby’s unique cries takes some getting used to. You will be fully versed in due time. Remember that your little one, albiet a bit alien at first, is an inteligent little human with personal preferences. They can be confusing and confused, too, as they experience everything for the first time. To help you out, I have compiled a list of twenty things you might consider when attempting to soothe your newbborn or fussy baby:
Baby is Hungry
Initially, you may want to keep a feeding schedule. Most pediatricians like to know what your baby’s feeding patterns are. Depending on your baby’s age, feeding needs will be different. Newborns have very tiny tummies and feed about every 2-3 hours. The status of your milk supply may be a factor (or what you are eating if you are breastfeeding). If you are formula feeding, your baby may be feeling some sort of digestional discomfort.
Baby is Tired or Overly Tired
When overly tired, sometimes the baby just needs to be left alone for a few minutes in the safety of a warm dark crib. You can try rocking to sleep using the Football Hold (below) combined with a butt pat and a full belly.
Your Intelligent Baby Needs Mental Stimulation
TIny humans thrive on mental stimulation! Change the scene a little. If you have been sitting on the couch too long, or on the computer too long, baby will be sure to let you know.
Baby is Gassy
Your little one may be full of burps or toots! When your baby has issues with digestion, make sure you are monitoring their intake. You many find that if you are nuring, and consume certain foods (or too much caffeine), your baby’s tummy may become upset more often. Or, if you are using a formula, monitor to see if you need a different blend of ingredients. Some infants experience allergies with milk or soy based formulas. Alimentum blends tend to be a little bit easier on the tummy. Be sure to pat baby’s back to burp every 10 minutes or so during feeding.
You can also set baby in their favorite “poo-sition” – the pose they always seem to be in when they poo. Or, Hold them with knees tucked up towards the chest to help them toot. Sometimes relief is as simple as striking the right pose.
Baby is Seeking or Reaching For a Toy
The saught after toy or object of their affection might be out of reach by just a few inches. Enough to cause some frustration. Sometimes, it is helpful to have a toy strapped to baby’s clothing sack or whatever device they are sitting in with a pacifier clip. This keeps it within reach nicely.
Employ the “Football Hold” or the “Hamilton Hold”
To do the “Football Hold”, hold your baby across your forearm and facing down. Your hand will be on their chest, and their legs will be straddling your arm near the elbow. You can also do the position where the head cradles in the elbow with the left arm secure between your body and your arm and your hand around baby’s pelvis. It is a matter of preference. If you choose to have the head closer to the elbow, you can combine this move with the butt pat and baby will likely be out in no time.
I also highly suggest the “Hamilton Hold” made popular by pediatrician, Robert C. Hamilton, MD. You can watch a video of the process here.
The Diaper May be Pinching Skin
The diaper folds may be pinching little sensitive spots. Be sure that all liners in the diapers are in the correct and smoothed positions. Babies get wedgies too! Also watch for velcro scratchiness on cloth diapers.
Check Baby’s Clothing
There may be a possible clothing issue. Too small/tight/ill fitting or scratchy clothing can be a nuisance for a baby who grows quickly. Check arm pits and other folds of skin for wrinkles and seams or stray tags.
Check for a Fingernail or Toe Nail Issue
Groom your baby’s finger and toe nails regularly. Nails grow very fast on an infant. Often times, they will peel or create sharp or rough edges. If you notice short fine scratches on your baby’s face, a fingernail catch is the most likely culpret. Some parents opt for small newborn gloves for the first week, but it is not required and may cause the baby to fuss as the seek hand-to-mouth stimulation.
Are They Teething?
Teething is a whole other story. There are many things to do for teething. Give him something like a finger, a toy or a clean, wet baby washcloth to chew on. Read one of our articles about teething here.
Baby May be Too Warm or Too Cold
Temperature regulation is not a strong suit for a young baby. They often rely on the parent’s body to help maintain a proper body temperature. Be sure to check every so often to make sure baby is the right temperature. Dress your baby in layers and modify as needed based on season and planned environment.
Baby May Desire Physical Touch or to be Held
The closeness is calming and safe for the infant. This is a pretty straight forward one. Your baby wants to be near you and in your energy field. Baby-wearing is a really great option for newborns as it allows you to be hands-free and still have closeness with your infant.
Baby May be Overstimulated
The womb was a warm, quiet place for the most part. Loud music, shrieks of laughter, bright lights, noisy pets or television, etc. can cause baby to feel somewhat over stimulated.
Look For Wax in The Ears
Check for wax buildup in the ears. If you see it, ask your pediatrician the best way to remove it. In a pinch you can use your pinky nail to gently lift the surface wax from the outside part of the ear. Sometimes milk also dries behind the ear. Be sure to wash well behind those ears!
Check Your Baby’s Eyes For Obstructions
Is something in baby’s eye? Be especially mindful if you have pets. Check your baby’s eyes for hairs, fine lint, sleep or other particles regularly. A quick glance during diaper changes is usually sufficient. You can use wipes to or infant eye mists remove external particles and eye boogies.
Try Distraction
A favorite toy making sounds might do the trick to distract your baby from his/her foul mood. Babies are drawn to sounds and might look for the origin rather than fuss. Additionally, you can change the lights. If they are on, turn them off and vice versa. You can also take baby outside or inside to change the scene a bit.
Soothe Baby With Walking And Bouncing
Parents have been doing this move for centuries! Yes, this one is obvious and may come inately. If you have good balance, you can also hold baby while doing squats. You will get the added benefit of weighted leg exercises.
Dance And Sing With Your Baby
Babies like the music and the beats of music. They especially love mom and dad’s singing voices if you do it with a big smile! Dancing to classical music and spinning with baby should bring smiles. Or, if you are feeling particularly energized, you might dance for them instead and be extra goofy. Go on, get your dance party on. It may make you feel better, too.
Play Games With Your Baby
This solution relates very strongly with the need for mental stimulation. Games like peek-a-boo or asking “What does a (fill in animal here) say?” are fun for baby. The animal questions get them thinking about sounds. When you make them, it is even more amusing.
Check For a Dirty Diaper
Here is another obvious one! Dirty does not just mean poo though. Check for the tee tee too! If you don’t see a poo, it doesn’t mean they are not working on one. For a baby the whole poo sensation is quite new and not always comfortable. You can hold baby face down across your forearm with your palm on their abdomen. This also encourages baby to expel gas. If you want to make checking for urine much easier, there are diapers that have wetness stripes on them that change colors. They are quite convenient. When the line color changes, it is time to change the diaper.
Remember, babies are tiny humans with different preferences and personalities. Like us adults, there are so many things that can impact your child’s wellbeing. Let us hope that these techniques help you to solve your little one’s needs ASAP and get back to contentment…
Article by Jill Kelsey – First published March 22, 2016 and updated April 10, 2025
Photo by Antoni Shkraba
