Settling techniques for the crying baby
March 31st 2009 04:13
Your arm is sore from the constant patting and rocking, you’re exhausted, frustrated and fighting the urge to cry yourself. You don’t understand why your baby just won’t sleep even though he’s tired. Below are some settling techniques mums resort to when their babies won’t settle -
Dummies
Some mothers claim that the use of dummies is a quick-fix for those mums who just don’t bother. Many books look at dummies as a prop and discourage the use of them, claiming sleep association. I originally thought the same but changed my mind after endless hours of patting, rocking and pacing to keep my sanity. But I’m careful to limit the dummy to sleep only – of course, I may change my mind once bub starts learning the effectiveness of tantrum-chucking in supermarkets.
White Noise
Babies, in mothers’ wombs are exposed to all sorts of noises so don’t be surprised if your bub becomes unsettled when all is quiet. Bubs like white noise, the kind a vacuum, washing machine, the purring of the car engine makes or even the static you get in between changing radio stations. But I came across a white noise gem called Sounds for Silence. It has 6 white noise tracks that help settle babies to sleep and 7 Mozart tracks for feed and/or play times. It doesn’t always work but usually, now when I put the CD on, bub knows what to expect.
Swaddling
Swaddling duplicates the warm, snug feeling babies experience in their mothers’ womb and it’s one of the first things midwives teach you. It’s not for all babies but for most, they can’t sleep without being swaddled and is sometimes the secret to a long night’s sleep. However, it’s recommended to stop swaddling once the baby learns to roll over.
Swings/Bouncers
When you were pregnant, did you ever wonder why your baby never kicked when you walked? Apparently, this motion lulled them to sleep so it’s no surprise that putting them in a swing and/or bouncer does the same thing. Doesn’t work for my son, unfortunately.
Taking them for a walk
They may get preoccupied with the trees overhead which to them are gigantic green mobiles but the rocking and swaying of being walked in a stroller or, better yet, in a carrier close to where they can hear your heartbeat, settles bub enough to sleep. I remember the first three weeks, I’d walk twent minutes to the shop and back in the summer heat, exhausted, just so my bub can get at least one sleep cycle.
Driving
The hum of the car engine, snug, comfortable and warm in the carseat have newborns almost instantly sleeping. I remember when my hubby would take bub out for a drive between 7pm and 11pm, just so I could get some sleep too.
Feeding to sleep
Many people frown upon this but a lot of mums swear by this when it comes to settling a crying baby. Babies love to feed, especially when breastfed. Warm and cuddled up next to their mother’s heartbeat, not to mention the rhythmic sucking, have many babies falling asleep at the breast.
Co-sleeping
Like feeding to sleep and dummy, many are against co-sleeping but again, I’ve heard of several mothers who can’t function without co-sleeping with their babies and who swear their babies thrive and sleep better on being close to their mothers.
What technique do you use to settle your crying baby?
'Oh, will you go to sleep already!?!'
Dummies
Some mothers claim that the use of dummies is a quick-fix for those mums who just don’t bother. Many books look at dummies as a prop and discourage the use of them, claiming sleep association. I originally thought the same but changed my mind after endless hours of patting, rocking and pacing to keep my sanity. But I’m careful to limit the dummy to sleep only – of course, I may change my mind once bub starts learning the effectiveness of tantrum-chucking in supermarkets.
White Noise
Babies, in mothers’ wombs are exposed to all sorts of noises so don’t be surprised if your bub becomes unsettled when all is quiet. Bubs like white noise, the kind a vacuum, washing machine, the purring of the car engine makes or even the static you get in between changing radio stations. But I came across a white noise gem called Sounds for Silence. It has 6 white noise tracks that help settle babies to sleep and 7 Mozart tracks for feed and/or play times. It doesn’t always work but usually, now when I put the CD on, bub knows what to expect.
Swaddling
Swaddling duplicates the warm, snug feeling babies experience in their mothers’ womb and it’s one of the first things midwives teach you. It’s not for all babies but for most, they can’t sleep without being swaddled and is sometimes the secret to a long night’s sleep. However, it’s recommended to stop swaddling once the baby learns to roll over.
Swings/Bouncers
When you were pregnant, did you ever wonder why your baby never kicked when you walked? Apparently, this motion lulled them to sleep so it’s no surprise that putting them in a swing and/or bouncer does the same thing. Doesn’t work for my son, unfortunately.
Taking them for a walk
They may get preoccupied with the trees overhead which to them are gigantic green mobiles but the rocking and swaying of being walked in a stroller or, better yet, in a carrier close to where they can hear your heartbeat, settles bub enough to sleep. I remember the first three weeks, I’d walk twent minutes to the shop and back in the summer heat, exhausted, just so my bub can get at least one sleep cycle.
Driving
The hum of the car engine, snug, comfortable and warm in the carseat have newborns almost instantly sleeping. I remember when my hubby would take bub out for a drive between 7pm and 11pm, just so I could get some sleep too.
Feeding to sleep
Many people frown upon this but a lot of mums swear by this when it comes to settling a crying baby. Babies love to feed, especially when breastfed. Warm and cuddled up next to their mother’s heartbeat, not to mention the rhythmic sucking, have many babies falling asleep at the breast.
Co-sleeping
Like feeding to sleep and dummy, many are against co-sleeping but again, I’ve heard of several mothers who can’t function without co-sleeping with their babies and who swear their babies thrive and sleep better on being close to their mothers.
What technique do you use to settle your crying baby?
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