How to Soothe a Fussy Newborn | Tips From an At-Home Newborn Photographer

UPDATED MARCH 2023

Babies are unpredictable. This is because they are at the stage in which they live by instinct alone and have basic needs. They may cry or act fussy for reasons that adults may not be able to fathom. For the most part, babies are fussy and cranky when they want food (or milk), their mom's touch, or want to be changed. It's important to know the reasons for fussiness, but also vital to know how to soothe babies when they create tantrums. Almost every mother has asked, "How do I soothe a fussy newborn?". The answers are in this article and may be easier to execute than you might imagine.

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UNDERSTAND THE CAUSE OF FUSINESS

How do I soothe a fussy newborn? The question is common enough and if you know the reasons and signs of fussiness, you may be able to handle situations better. The importance of understanding the signs of fussiness lies in the fact that you may be able to tackle problems early - before your baby throws a full-blown tantrum.

Here are key reasons why newborns act fussy:

Because they are thirsty or hungry
Because they are in discomfort or pain
Because their diapers need changing
Because they are colicky
Because they may be teething

Signs to Look for to Determine Fussiness:

Crying intensely
A great deal of fussiness even after a phase of crying
Particular times when babies are fussy
Crying for no obvious reason
Crying when certain strangers are around

CREATE A CALMING ENVIROMENT

You may be wondering, "How can I soothe my newborn to sleep at night?". Often, you may find your baby is fussy or cranky at bedtime. Whatever the time or the circumstance, here are tips for calming your baby down.

TIPS FOR CALMING YOUR BABY DOWN

Create soothing sounds like mild humming.
Use the benefits of white noise (You can get devices that create this. Sometimes the low hum of a ceiling fan helps too).
Give your newborn some gentle cuddles.
Talk to your newborn.
Rock your newborn.
Give your newborn a pacifier to suck on.
Stroke your newborn's head gently.

The benefits of calming your baby are plentiful, not least of which is letting your baby be happy. When your baby is happy, you are happy.

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SOOTHING TECHNIQUES

Different techniques may be used to soothe fussy newborns. These include swaddling, rocking, and cuddling:

Techniques for soothing your newborn baby:

Swaddling
Wrap your newborn up in a thin and large blanket. The wrapping has to be snug, but not tight, like a burrito. This makes the baby feel cozy as if they were still in the womb.
Rocking
You can either sit on a rocking chair and hold your baby in your arms or walk with your baby. In both cases, a slow rocking motion will help your baby (and you) relax.
Cuddling
Baby-holding positions to stop crying are well known, and they range from holding your baby on your lap to upright on your chest. Holding a newborn on your chest is a good way to calm a baby, patting them gently on the back.

NEWBORN FEEDING STRATEGIES

Here are some tried and tested tactics and techniques to calm your baby down by using feeding strategies:

Look for cues that your baby gives you. They may show they are hungry by smacking their lips, sucking on fingers, etc. Once you know the times of these, you can feed your baby on time, preventing any fussiness.
You may have to feed your baby more quantities during spurts of growth. At such times, don't follow strict schedules, but feed your newborn on demand.

WHEN TO SEEK MEDICAL HELP

At certain times, you may not get a ready answer to the question, "How do I soothe a fussy newborn?". Your baby may not calm down by common strategies, and you may have to seek medical attention. Consider the following times when you must call your doctor:

When your baby cries for prolonged periods and repeatedly
When your newborn's cry sounds different from their regular cries
When you know your baby is ill (has a fever, vomits, for example)
When your baby refuses feeds

CONCLUSION

You may think your newborn is just a baby, but babies have a way of communicating what they want and when they want it. Mothers know this and should be attuned to signs and signals from their infants. Every newborn is unique and if you are aware and have your techniques clear, any baby can be soothed and kept happy.

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