Every new parent reaches that moment: the baby will not stop crying and nothing seems to help. Knowing how to soothe a crying baby is one of the most useful skills a parent can develop, and most of it comes down to a handful of reliable techniques.
A crying baby is communicating, not misbehaving. Hunger, tiredness, discomfort and overstimulation are the most common triggers, and learning to read these cues makes calming far easier.
Start with the basics
Check the obvious first. Is the baby hungry, does the nappy need changing, is the room too warm or too cold, and how long has it been since the last nap. Small physical discomforts are behind most crying spells in newborns.
Use the five S’s
Paediatrician Dr Harvey Karp’s well-known approach involves swaddling, side or stomach position while holding, shushing sounds, swinging or gentle motion, and sucking on a dummy or finger. These mimic the womb environment and work for most newborns.
Skin-to-skin still helps
Skin-to-skin contact regulates a baby’s heart rate, breathing and temperature. It is one of the simplest ways to soothe a crying baby, especially in the first three months.
When to seek help
If crying is persistent, high-pitched, or paired with fever, vomiting or feeding refusal, contact your clinic or paediatrician. Persistent inconsolable crying can also signal colic, which is common but worth discussing with a healthcare provider.
Further reading: moomie
