Comforting your crying baby
The best way to soothe your baby depends on the cause of her pain, but here are a few tried and tested ways that may help her feel better:
- Hold her. If you cradle your baby gently, containing her limbs, she’ll feel less panicky. Swaddling your baby may also be really effective in calming her: Hold her with her hands together on her chest and her fingers near her mouth, and then wrap her firmly in a small cotton sheet.
- Rock her. Many parents instinctively rock their babies to comfort them. A rocking motion is thought to stimulate a reaction in your baby’s inner ear, which can have a calming effect on her.
- Let her suck. The movement of your baby’s mouth muscles when she sucks may stimulate the release of endorphins – the body’s natural feelgood chemicals – in her brain. Sucking on her thumb, a dummy, a teat, or a nipple can help her relax and block the pain. Sucking also offers a distraction from the pain and can be a very effective way to soothe her.
If your baby’s really screaming, you may find that the measures suggested above make her more agitated and distressed. If so, try letting her lie quietly, as any kind of stimulation may be stressful for her. Do see a doctor or call NHS Direct if you are at all worried about your baby.
Posted in Children's Health
