A cheerful, gurgling baby is a joy to be with, but a fretful, screaming and seemingly inconsolable baby can really fray a new mother’s nerves. That’s why we’ve searched out the best 10 ways – all mum- and nanny-tested! – to minimise or shorten these crying episodes. Now babies have a mind of their own and not all may respond to these suggestions. Hopefully, some of these tips will go a little way to give frazzled mums some relief.
1. Check Baby’s Needs
A newborn often cries to alert parents to some need or discomfort. Your baby may be hungry, feeling warm, tired, or have a soiled diaper. Once these needs are met, your baby will feel comfortable and settle down more easily.
Mrs B. Lim, who works in the healthcare industry, had a tough time with her four-month-old baby. He was a light sleeper who woke often and cried frequently. The mother-of-two recalled that the times when her baby was particularly fretful coincided with periods of growth spurts. After realising that he might be hungry, she increased the amount of milk which she fed him. He seemed to be more cheerful and contented after that.
Babies go through growth spurts at approximately two, six and 12 weeks, and thereafter, monthly. During each growth spurt, babies may feed more often for several days before returning to the regular feed amount and frequency.
2. Give a Pacifier
Adjusting to a new and unfamiliar environment can be unsettling for a newborn who has spent nine months in mummy’s womb. Babies feel comforted and secure when they nurse and may sometimes cry for the breast even though they are not hungry. During such times, you can try giving your baby a pacifier. Your baby may also learn to settle herself to sleep if she is routinely given the pacifier at nap times.
In his book and DVD, The Happiest Baby on the Block, paediatrician Dr Harvey Karp assures parents that there is no fear in “spoiling” a newborn with a pacifier as she can be gradually weaned off it when she is older.
However, he cautions that a pacifier should only be introduced after the baby has successfully learnt to latch and is drinking her milk well, so as to avoid causing “nipple confusion” for the baby.
3. Carry Baby Upright
A fretful baby may cry to be carried, and yet scream even more when the mother carries her. It may even seem as though anyone except the mother can calm her down. Confinement nanny Nguk Choo thinks that this may be because the baby can smell mummy’s milk and wants to suckle for comfort, but gets frustrated when she is unable to do so. Therefore, she suggests carrying your baby in an upright position with her head resting on your shoulders. When your baby cannot smell your milk, she may be content just to be cuddled by you.
4. Generate White Noise
When your baby was in the womb, she was exposed to the sounds of your body at work. Your heartbeat and sounds of food moving through the digestive system formed a background noise which she is used to. An unsettled baby may therefore find the sound of white noise familiar and comforting. White noise can be generated by switching on a hairdryer or vacuum cleaner, tuning the radio in between stations or simply by making a gentle “Shhhh” sound.
5. Use Familiar Phrases
As newborns try to make sense of their new environment, they find comfort in familiarity. By repeating a phrase each time you do an activity, you can teach your baby to associate that phrase with the activity. Once your baby understands these phrases, she may quieten for awhile in anticipation of her needs being met.
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