Calm, simple ways to soothe a crying baby, what to check first, and what to do when nothing works.
In short
- Check the basics first.
- Calm, gentle, repeated soothing can help.
- If you feel stressed, put her down safely.
Check the basics
Is she hungry? Does her nappy need changing? Is she too hot or too cold? Is she tired? Does she have wind? Has there been too much going on around her?
Ways to soothe her
- If you breastfeed, let her suckle at the breast.
- Hold her close, skin to skin.
- Carry her in your arms or in a sling. Move gently, sway, talk and sing.
- Hum or sing. A steady, repeated sound can soothe her.
- Stroke her back gently while she lies against you. You can also lay her face down across your lap while you stroke her.
- Rock her in the pram, or go out for a walk.
- Try some gentle background noise, like the radio.
- Try a warm bath. It calms some babies. Others cry more.
- Offer a dummy. If you breastfeed, wait until feeding is going well, usually at about 4 weeks.
- Too much rocking and singing can keep her awake. Lying her down after a feed may help.
- Go for a drive. If she falls asleep in her car seat, take her out as soon as you can. Lay her on a firm, flat surface to sleep.
- In a sling, keep it tight. Always keep her face in view. Keep her chin off her chest.
If nothing works
Crying tends to increase from about 2 weeks old. It slowly eases from around 3 months. Afternoons and evenings are often the hardest.
Keep a note of when she cries. For example, after every feed or in the evening. Show it to your health visitor or doctor. It can help them find a cause.
If you feel stressed or angry, put her down safely in her cot. Walk away for a few minutes. Never shake her.
Other signs she may be seriously ill
- She is violently sick again and again: call your emergency number now
- The soft spot on top of her head is bulging: call your emergency number now
- She is 3 to 6 months, has not had a vaccine in the last 2 days, and her temperature is 39C or more: call your emergency number now
- Her temperature is below 36C: call your emergency number now
- She has had no wet nappy for 12 hours: call your emergency number now
- She is not feeding at all: call your emergency number now
- Her skin feels cold or clammy: call your emergency number now
- Her hands and feet are unusually cold: call your emergency number now
- She is 3 to 6 months, had a vaccine in the last 2 days, and her temperature is 39C or more: call your doctor now
