More Soothing Options
You've picked your baby up, offered to feed him, burped him, changed his diaper, wrapped him in a blanket, and taken the blanket off again — and he's still crying. You don't much care why anymore, and he may have forgotten why. When you just want him to stop, it's time to try these all-purpose soothers.
Rock-a-Bye Baby
As old-fashioned as it sounds, a rocker or glider can be your best friend when trying to soothe a crying baby. Add one to your list of must-have nursery furniture. The gentle rhythmic movement mimics the sensations your baby experienced in the womb. Your scent and warmth combined with the connection you share as you hold your baby and rock are calming and soothing. For moms it's simply a relief to get off your feet and sit down.
Rockers have been around for centuries and rock on curved runners. The more modern rocker-glider has wooden arms under the seat that pivot front-to-back on steel ball bearings (which makes for an effortless, smooth, noiseless, horizontal gliding motion.) Often you can purchase a matching ottoman.
Pacify Me
Babies like to suck and are calmed and comforted by sucking. You'll hear lots of pros and cons about pacifiers, called binkies by some parents. Almost every parent (and grandparent) has an opinion, but the American Academy of Pediatrics approves the use of pacifiers for baby's first year.
Here are some points to remember before introducing a binky.
Avoid introducing a pacifier during the first month of breastfeeding as it can lead to nipple confusion.
Use a one-piece, dishwasher-safe pacifier. Two-piece units pose a choking hazard.
Buy extras of whatever kind your baby prefers, and replace a pacifier as soon as it begins to deteriorate.
Don't overuse pacifiers. Try other means of soothing your baby (e.g., rocking or a new position).
Swaddling
In their first few weeks, some babies feel more secure, and are less likely to fuss, when wrapped snugly. Swaddling him will contain the flailing arms and legs, which may be startling the baby, and the heat from a slightly dryer-warmed blanket will calm him down. (Other babies hate this and will quickly let you know.) If your baby likes to be swaddled, see Figure 4-1 to learn how to do it.
Position a square blanket like a diamond, and fold the top corner down.
Lay your baby on his back on the blanket, the top corner just above his neck. Tuck one arm down and fold the blanket around his body and behind his back.
Fold up the bottom part of the blanket, folding down any excess that would be covering his face.
Tuck the other arm down and fold the remaining corner of the blanket around his body and behind his back.
You can also buy pre-made swaddling gear such as Miracle Blanket (
FIGURE 4-1(A): Set up
FIGURE 4-1(B): First wrap
FIGURE 4-1(C): Second wrap
FIGURE 4-1(D): Final Wrap
Gear for Soothing
Following are some soothing gadgets you may want to add to your baby's collection:
Sling — Sizes vary, depending on your height. You'll carry your baby more comfortably if you have the right size. Consider two slings, sized for mom and dad.
Front pack — a Snugli, Baby Bjorn, or Ergo will keep the baby close, and both your warmth and heartbeat may calm him.
Aquarium — The sound of the filter is soothing, and the fish are distracting.
Swing — The tick-tick of a wind-up swing can be soothing, but this type needs to be rewound fairly often, and rewinding is loud. A battery-operated model may be a better choice. You won't use this for very many months, though, so borrow one if you can.
Sassy seat — A cloth-covered baby lounge chair that you can gently bounce with your feet.
Music — Try all kinds. If classical doesn't work, reggae might.
