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Calming Fussy Babies

5 Top Tips for Parents to Help Soothe Infants

By Shannon McKelden

1. The Dryer (for crying)
If Baby is crying parents can put the receiving blanket in the dryer to warm it up and swaddle the baby in the nice, warm blanket. But if Baby won't settle down and go to sleep, they can place the swaddled baby on top of the dryer on her back or in the bouncy seat, turn on the dryer (never leaving the baby, of course). The vibration from the dryer and the warmth from the blanket will calm most babies.

2. The Vacuum (crying and sleeping)
If parents can't get Baby to stop crying and settle down, turn on the vacuum cleaner, hair dryer or dishwasher. Babies are used to lots of noise in the womb and this type of white noise is very calming.

3. Socks (teething)
To soothe a teething baby's aching gums, put some ice cubes in a clean, white athletic sock, put the baby in the highchair and let her gnaw to her heart's content!

4. Our Finger (eating/starting solids)
When it is time to introduce cereal, babies can be intimated by the spoon. Give them something they are used to sucking on! Use Mommy or Daddy's finger before graduating to the spoon.

5. Exercise Ball (burping)
Finally, a use for that exercise ball gathering dust in the corner! If Mom or Dad is having a hard time getting Baby to burp, sit on an exercise ball and gently bounce up and down. You can also lift Baby up and down while doing this. The change in gravity sometimes gets that stubborn burp up!