As a new parent, one of the hardest things to listen to is your newborn crying! We want to immediately do anything we can to help them calm down and stop the crying. What we need to remember is that up until their birth, your baby had never been put down! So as a newborn outside the womb, they don’t know how to be alone and not held or rocked. Until they developmentally learn how to self-soothe and they get used to being put down, we as parents want to try and mimic things that will help them feel secure and comfortable like they were in the womb.
Here are five effective ways to soothe your newborn that work:
Safe swaddling techniques. Your baby lived in a tight little ball while in the womb. So, the outside world often feels too big and open for them when they flail and squirm about in an upset or agitated manner. A safe swaddling technique helps newborns feel more secure and settle their jerky body movements and can begin to trigger their calming reflex. A safe swaddle wraps them up snugly and will help settle the startle reflex and keep their arms tucked in beside their body, which can also help them stay asleep longer.
White noise. Your newborn is also used to constant noise that was present inside the womb. Putting them down in their bassinet in a silent room and walking away is often more change from what they know than they can handle. Providing constant white noise for them is another thing that will mimic the womb and help them feel calmer and more comfortable. Be sure to have the kind that plays continuously, as this will help them possibly settle back to sleep if they wake in the middle of a sleep cycle, as the noise will reassure them.
Rhythmic bouncing. Newborns like to be bounced; this motion can help settle them. You can choose to securely hold them in your arms and do deep leg squats (which, as a side benefit, will really help you strengthen your leg muscles). Alternatively, you can use an exercise ball and sit and gently bounce while you securely hold your baby in your arms. Use this in combination with your safe swaddling method and most babies will fall right asleep! Note: Some babies like a swing or gentle rocker, which can be an alternative to this bouncing method.
Soothers/pacifiers. I would not suggest using a pacifier for your newborn if you don’t need to. If other methods work, use them! However, some newborns have a strong association with sucking and soothing. In this case, to avoid constantly feeding them (which will cause other problems you want to avoid), these babies may benefit from the use of a pacifier. When you know that your newborn is not upset because they are hungry, using the pacifier is a great way to trigger the calming reflex in them and is often all they need to settle down and fall asleep.
Holding positions. Some ways you hold your newborn can help them calm down as well. These are three of Dr. Harvey Karp’s favorites, which he describes in his book The Happiest Baby on the Block:
As brand-new parents, it is sometimes overwhelming trying to read our baby’s cues and needs. However, as our baby grows and as we learn, we will get better and better at knowing what their needs are and responding to them.
Sharon is a certified doula and childbirth educator with 23 years of experience and has supported over 1,500 Calgary and area families on their parenthood journey. She is also the owner of Calgary Birth Essentials, which offers private and small group prenatal classes, birth and postpartum doula support, and breastfeeding and early parenting education. For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit calgarybirthessentials.com.
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