The house is peaceful. It is dark outside and you are asleep. All of a sudden the wail of your newborn goes off like an alarm. All you want to do is make it stop so that you can get a little extra sleep, but how? It can be very frustrating and at times it can push even the most loving parents right over the edge. Knowing how to calm down your screaming newborn can bring much relief to both you and your baby. After all, everyone knows how essential sleep is for an infant, and parents need it too.
Satisfying needs is number one
One of the best ways to calm an infant is to satisfy their needs as quickly as possible. Believe it or not, babies do not cry just for the fun of it or just to frustrate you. If the baby is crying, check the diaper and see if he or she is hungry. If the diaper is dirty, changing that diaper may be the fastest way to a quiet and happy baby. If the diaper is clean, try feeding your baby. If that doesn’t work, then your baby may need to be held or rocked because something may have scared him or her.
Check out the How-to Guide for Newborns
Try a gentle rocking sensation
Holding a baby and gently rocking him or her is a good way to help relax them, you can also try lighting a soothing lavender candle. Another remedy is to run the dryer with your baby in a carrier on top of it. It has been a helpful remedy due to either the heat from the dryer or the gentle rocking motion or perhaps, a mix of both. Taking a car ride can also sometimes calm a baby in the same way.
The most important thing to remember is that your baby simply needs his or her needs met in order to calm down. Having the baby checked out by the pediatrician can also be a good idea if your baby seems to be crying excessively. If the baby is ill, or in pain, then crying is the only way for them to express it.
Soft singing or speaking
Try singing or talking in a quiet tone to relax your little one. The quiet tone can help to relax your baby since they can understand most tones. A reassuring tone can also be soothing if your baby was frightened by something. If you think something in the environment is bothering your baby, try removing that item or removing your baby from that environment and you might see the crying instantly stop.
Read More:
Caring For A Newborn
How to Handle Teething
Mom's Postpartum Health