Top 3 Ways to Comfort a Crying Baby
Before your baby learns language and speech, every want and need is expressed with a cry. Babies cry when they are hungry, when their diaper is wet or soiled or when they are tired. They cry to express unhappiness with bright lights or loud noises, or just to hear the comforting sound of Momma’s soothing voice.
Some babies also cry because of colic or other illness. These can be the most disturbing cries of all, since there is nothing that can be done but offer comfort and wait for the medication to work or the problem to pass. For the anxious and stressed out parent, it can be challenging trying to comfort a crying baby, but here are three tried and true methods that can help get you through the crying jags.
Run the Vacuum Cleaner
It sounds like a silly old wive’s tale, but this one actually works and works well. When baby was snuggled and comfortable in the womb, he or she could pick up sounds going on outside the womb. A common sound was that of the vacuum cleaner.
Vacuuming is not the world’s most exciting task, but the repetitive nature actually slows down the heart rate and has a calming physical effect on the expectant mother. In the womb, baby hears the vacuum and also experiences the ease in tension. Therefore, the sound of a vacuum becomes a comfortable and familiar sound to the crying baby, and not only slows down the crying, but often lulls them to sleep.
Take Deep Breaths with Baby
Sometimes Mom or Dad’s anxiety will make the crying worse. Not only that, but babies don’t always know how to calm themselves down. They usually need a distraction or a guide to settle down the cries. Cuddle baby up to your chest, close to your heart. Then take some deep, cleansing breaths, in your nose and out your mouth.
Not only will this get your nerves under control, but baby will be comforted by the sound of your heart beat and will also mimic your breathing patterns. After a few moments, the crying should subside, but keep baby nice and close for a few more minutes and continue deep breaths. Once baby has calmed down, moving them away from their comfort too soon will probably restart the crying.
Go for a Drive
It could be the motion of the vehicle, the hum of the engine or just the change of scenery, but for some reason, babies really love car rides. So buckle baby into the car seat and start taking trips around the block until baby settles down. This is especially effective for babies who are crying because they are overtired.
Before you haul out the vacuum or start up the station wagon, make sure you check that baby isn’t trying to tell you something. Sometimes babies cry because their clothing is too tight, or a button or zipper could be scratching them. But if you’ve checked baby over from booties to bonnet and the crying persists, then give one of these methods a try.
