Remember those days when you said you would never be able to function if you didn’t get eight hours of sleep? Like don’t bother me or depend on me for anything if I get less than the recommended amount of sleep by health care professionals. Now as a parent you get 1-2 hours broken up here and there and you are ready to seize the day.
Well sort of.
You get to wake up and start the day whether you are physically ready or not. Isn’t it amazing what we can do with less sleep as a mom? Although we can function on broken sleep it can sometimes be hard to remember the basics, logic and be confident in our mothering. This is especially true as a first time mom or when baby is first born and is waking up so frequently.
At least this was the case for me when I first had my daughter. I found myself in tears on many nights when she was first born telling my husband I have breastfed her and tried to calm her and she is still crying I don’t know what to do. He reminded me to not forget the basics in the moments of pure exhaustion.
My purpose here is to list a few things to try when baby is fed or you have seemed to try all you can think of.
- Adjust temperature in room-
If too cold, dress baby in warmer clothes, put a hat on them or mittens for their hands when they are first born. If too hot, take off clothing or blankets. Just today I laid my son in his bassinet for a nap after he had nursed on both sides and he was fussy. I pulled off a blanket I wrapped him in because he was too warm and he almost immediately stopped fussing and slept for 2 1/2 hours.
My husband and I try to sleep with our bedroom a few degrees warmer when baby is rooming in.
- Changing diapers is always a first go to-
My son seems to care less if he is dirty or wet but as soon as pee or poop hits my daughters diaper she will cry. Now as a toddler she will tell us instantly when her diaper is soiled- soon to start the journey of potty training but that will come in a later post.
Applying barrier cream to excoriated bottoms can help soothe and ease discomfort.
- Burp between feedings and often to relieve possible air bubbles-
This is something I have tried recently with my son. This has prevented so much spit up, projectile vomit and fussiness.
- Pump legs like a bicycle to help ease gas-
This has worked time and time again for us.Try repositioning baby such as sitting them up with your support or laying across your lap on their belly to help ease discomfort.
- Swaddle-swaddle-swaddle-
I swaddled a little bit with my first child but I realize this time around how comforting it is for newborn babies to be wrapped to mimic life in the womb. It has been an instant fix for our baby boy on many occasions when he is irritable or fussy. I grab a receiving blanket and wrap him to help with the newborn startles that can wake little ones.
- Turn off stimulation at the end of the day-
Just like us, babies can feel overwhelmed with things such as cooing from adults, lights, sound etc. At the end of the day is when our kiddos tend to be most fussy and we like to turn down lights to a dim setting, use candles or LED candles, turn off loud TV or music and use shushing sounds to mimic the sound of blood flow in the womb.
- Movement and just being held-
Walking around with baby, using baby carriers( I use both buckle carriers and cloth wraps such as Boba brand), placing baby in a laundry basket that has padding inside and placing it on a dryer that is running, and using a swing or vibrating chair can also help ease baby. Sometimes babies simply want to be held and have human touch.
- Pacifiers are a hot topic-
Some people say it replaces mom which I can totally see. Starting to use a pacifier at the recommended age can calm baby, help with gas, and meet the need to always be suckling. In my experience the last use stated has helped me keep my sanity.
- Using Gripe water or gas relief drops-
It takes time for newborn babies digestive systems to adjust to life outside of the womb. Both breastfed and formula fed babies can often have gas and other tummy upsets especially the first few weeks after they are born.
No one ever told me this, and the first few days after my baby was born I was so stressed and worn out due to how fussy she was. These two remedies helped so much. Gripe water can even help with hiccups.
- Having dad or someone else hold baby when you have tried all you can-
It is OK to take a minute and have someone you trust hold your baby who is fussy and can’t seem to be settled. Babies can sense our stress and uneasiness, and when we relax they generally can too.
- Go for a drive-
Babies love the movement of the car. It is usually a quick and easy way to help them fall asleep. Here is to hoping your baby stays asleep after you pull into the driveway and turn the car off.
When my husband and I were on a drive once with our daughter in the middle of the night we drove around for 45 minutes and she was asleep, quiet and content and then we pull in the driveway, turn off the engine and not a half a second later she wakes up crying. They just KNOW when the movement stops.
Although the above mentioned can seem so simple, it is easy to forget the basics when you’re tired, and your baby won’t stop crying.
You can try: adjusting room temperature, changing their diaper, burping, pumping legs, swaddling, decreasing stimulation, moving around, using a pacifier, using OTC remedies such as Gripe water or gas relief drops, having dad or another family member or friend hold them for a couple of minutes or going for a drive.
My hope is this finds a mom in the middle of the night struggling to know how to calm her baby and all she needs is a simple reminder.
I would love to hear what you do to calm your little one who is fussy, leave your thoughts in the comments!
What do you do to calm your little one when they are fussy?
How do you best manage your own stress to ensure it doesn’t affect baby?
Disclaimer: Use all general, life and parenting advice at your own risk