subject: Who's Making All That Fuss [print this page] All babies are unhappy from time to timeAll babies are unhappy from time to time. They may be hungry, tired, over stimulated, or have gas. But what do you do with you do with a baby who is consistently fussy? Fussy babies can leave a parent feeling overwhelmed and unprepared, but there are many tricks for dealing with a fussy baby.
The first step to dealing with a fussy baby is trying to figure out what they are fussing about. Make sure they are fed, dry, have had enough sleep, and at the right temperature. Also make as certain as possible that they are not suffering from illness, earache or teething. Once youve established that your fussy baby is fine as has no known reasons to be fussy there are some steps you can take to help soothe him or her.
One good way of soothing a fussy baby is through swaddling and holding: wrapping baby tightly in a soft, comfortable blanket and holding them closeThis reminds them of the womb environment. Another trick is to allow baby to suck on your finger. Sucking is a very natural infant response and can bring about an almost instant sense of calm. You can also try sound therapy: singing, talking, humming, or even turning on white noise such as a vacuum cleaner or washing machine (again these sounds mimic the ones baby grew accustomed to hearing in the womb).
If none of these help to calm your baby, get innovative: go for a stroll outside for fresh air and a change of pace and scenery. Or, put baby in the car and go for a drive; the rocking and moving of the car may be enough to lull baby into a calmer state. Some additional innovative suggestions are to either give baby a gentle massage with sweet-smelling gentle oil (thereby soothing through both tough and aromatherapy), and holding baby up in front of a mirror. Babies can become fascinated by seeing their own reflections, calming them almost instantly. One more distraction tool: a ceiling fan. Many babies can stare for an extended period of time at a regularly rotating fan, causing them to forget what they were fussing about in the first place.
Finally, remember this: babies are very sensitive to tone of voice and negative energy. If he or she senses your frustration and feelings of being overwhelmed, they will probably fuss even more. Dont hesitate to ask a friend or relative for help and give yourself a break. Doing so will definitely calm you, and may just calm your baby as well.
