New parents often wonder, “How do I soothe a baby who just won’t stop crying?” Before trying to calm them, it helps to rule out a few common causes. Make sure your baby’s basic needs are met — check their diaper, temperature, and comfort. Could they be hungry or overtired?
If your baby still seems upset after covering those basics, don’t worry. These gentle, expert-backed soothing techniques can help bring calm and comfort to both of you.
Strategies to Soothe a Fussy Baby
Babies cry to communicate — it’s their way of telling us something’s wrong or they need comfort. These gentle, time-tested soothing techniques can help calm your little one and ease your stress too.
1. Baby Massage
It can be uncomfortable when babies have gas or need to move their bowels. It is not necessarily painful, but it is a new sensation because babies don’t move their bowels in utero, and anything you can do to help move things along quicker will be beneficial. Infant massage has several strokes to the abdominal area that help move the bowels. Infant massage has many benefits, including calming the baby, regulating sleep/wake cycles, and helping babies get deeper/more restful sleep.
Related: 10 Reasons Your Baby Might Be Fussy (and How To Help)
2. Swaddle
A good swaddle’s neutral warmth and pressure calm babies because they mimic the containment they felt in the womb.
3. Rock the Baby
Gentle rocking helps calm babies because it mimics the soothing movement they felt in the womb. Some little ones prefer slightly bigger motions, so experiment gently and find the rhythm that helps your baby relax the most.
4. Shush the Baby
Bring the baby’s ear close to your face and make a shushing noise in her ear. It is very loud in utero. Baby hears the swishing of the amniotic fluid, mom’s heartbeat, and their heartbeat, so by recreating that swishing sound, you are creating a calm environment for your baby.
5. White Noise
For the same reason babies are calmed by the shushing noise, babies like white noise, which is very calming for your babies. You can buy noise machines or use white noise apps on your smartphone.
Related: Baby Fussiness: When It’s Normal and When It’s Not
6. Sing to Your Baby
The sound of your voice calms your baby because it is familiar to him. Talking and singing to him is reassuring and calming.
7. Rhythmic Patting
Babies are calmed by repetition. By patting your baby rhythmically, you are helping them relax. Don’t be afraid to pat her hard enough that her whole body feels it. Anything your baby feels on her entire body is more calming than just feeling a sensation on only one part of her body. Think about the calming effect of a warm bath versus a trickle of water.
8. Music
Lullabies, nursery rhymes, and gentle music calm babies because they cause the baby to focus on the sound of the music instead of crying.
9. Read a Book
The sound of your voice soothes babies, so by reading to them or telling them a story, you help them calm down and focus on your voice.
10. Take Baby for a Ride in the Car
For most babies, riding in a car is calming and helps them relax and fall asleep. However, your baby may be fussy in their car seat and needs calming.
11. Sucking
Sucking on a pacifier, nipple, or finger (parent’s or baby’s) stimulates the release of a calming hormone.1 It is very relaxing for your baby, and that is why pacifiers are so popular!
Video: How to Soothe a Fussy Baby
Watch this quick video for expert-approved tips on soothing your baby.
Sometimes, babies need to fuss because it’s their only way to communicate. Other times, they’re overstimulated and just need to release that energy. Try to stay calm and let your baby cry if they need to. Usually, a combination of these strategies will help soothe your little one.
Every baby is different, and what works for one might not work for another. Try these techniques, stay patient, and remember that your calm presence is often the most powerful soothing tool of all.
If nothing seems to work and your baby’s cry becomes more intense or inconsolable, such as with colic, contact your healthcare provider for additional support.
