Newborn Care Tips

As you settle into life with your new baby, you quickly learn that your baby cries often. He relies on crying to communicate needs and wants. He cries when he is cold, hot, wet, hungry, hurt, or for no reason at all. According to the website Kids Health, you should console your newborn when he cries. You cannot spoil your infant, and consoling him shows him that you respond to his needs. Even though crying is normal, though, attending to a fussy baby can be exhausting. There are some techniques you can use to comfort your newborn--and maintain your sanity.

Step 1

Swaddle your child. Before she was born, the confined space restricted your child's movement. A good way to mimic the womb and calm your crying child is through swaddling, according to the Dr. Melanie Bee website. Use a large baby blanket and fold one corner down, placing your child on the blanket with her head at the top of the fold. Wrap one side of the blanket firmly over your child with your child's arms at her chest, fold the bottom of the blanket up, and close the last side snugly over the top of your child. Your baby's arms should be close to her chest, and the blanket should be snug to restrict flailing limbs.

Step 2

Rock your baby. According to the Mayo Clinic, rocking or taking a walk with your baby can ease crying. Your baby might be crying because he wants to move, and since he cannot move on his own, he relies on you to move for him. If rocking does not work, try a short walk with a stroller or a car ride.

Step 3

Offer your baby something to suck on. Sucking is a natural reflex that often soothes an upset baby. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, offering your fussy child something to suck on is one of the best ways to soothe your child. You can offer a pacifier or guide her hand toward her mouth so she can suck on her skin or your clean knuckle. If your child sucks vigorously but does not seem satisfied with only sucking, she could be hungry.

Step 4

Provide white noise or a shushing sound. Your new baby can become overstimulated rather easily. If you suspect your child is crying in response to too much noise or activity, providing white noise--such as a recording of the ocean or the monotonous noise of a fan or vacuum--might help calm him, according to the Mayo Clinic. Another possibility is to making a gentle and repetitive shushing noise while rubbing your child's back, rocking him or gently bouncing him in your arms.

Source: LiveStrong.com