#soothingtechniques

BABY SOOTHING TECHNIQUES FOR NEW PARENTS

As a new parent it can be very challenging to take care of your baby. After surviving 9 months of pregnancy and getting through the anxiousness that comes with labor and delivery, you are now ready to head home and begin life with your baby. Once you’re home, you will soon realize that you don’t know what you’re doing. A lot of times it is hard to decipher exactly what baby wants. It can be frustrating and tiring for new parents who don’t know what to do. Below are some of the tips you can do to soothe your baby.

1.       Swaddling. Swaddling is done by wrapping the baby in a blanket. Make sure that it is tight enough and loose enough to give baby some space to move. Swaddling soothes babies by providing the secure feeling they enjoyed inside the womb. It can help the baby stay warm and help her settle when she’s overstimulated.

2.       Playing tunes. Music can help soothe your baby and helps her stop crying.  You can play lullabies to make her go to sleep or help her stay asleep. The music calms and comforts the baby because newborns don’t need silence. Having spent months inside the womb where they can hear their Mom’s blood flow which is louder that a vacuum, they calm down and sleep better in a noisy environment.

3.       Baby Massage. Researchers found out that massage can promote better sleeping and enhance infant’s immune system. Among the five senses, touch is the most developed at birth that is why babies find massages to be soothing and very relaxing. Infant massage not only soothes the baby but it is also a way to bond with your baby. Be careful however, make sure to massage your baby gently as she is not as strong as an adult yet.

4.       Warm bath. Giving your baby a warm bath can help her get ready to sleep or relax. Most babies love being in the water and giving your baby a warm bath can be a relaxing daily ritual for her.

5.       Feeding. One of the most common reason why babies cry is hunger. If your baby is crying, she might be hungry even if her last feed wasn’t long ago. Although your baby’s stomach can’t hold very much, try offering her some milk if she cries.

Not every strategy or technique will work for every baby, some may only work for certain times. The key is to experiment and over time you’ll figure out what’s best for your baby.

What calming methods have worked for you in the past? We would love to hear you stories! J