05/05/2020
10 tips to calm a crying baby of age less than 6 months as making a baby sleep or calm during first 6 months of life is a challenging task.
1. Feed the baby adequately; hunger is one of the commonest reasons of crying for a baby. Before giving medicines for crying give milk to ensure that baby is not hungry.
2. Check diaper; a soiled diaper makes baby uncomfortable and the baby cries. Diaper needs to be changed whenever soiled either by urine or stools. Always check diaper before feeding and after feeding also.
3. Check for warmness of feet and hands as cold hands and feet means baby is getting cold. In our part of the world winter is harsh and some parents do not cover hands, feet, legs and head properly making a baby feel cold. Always wear thermals, cap, socks and socks.
4. Check on babies attire. Dont overdress your baby especially in summer. Your baby just needs one layer extra than what you are wearing.
5. Check for rashes and nose block. Avoid sprinkling powder on groin, axilla or any other place. Clear the nose of baby.
6. The effective formula to sooth babies in first few months is these 5 S
Swinging: Swinging your little one in cradle can actually calm it and help a sound sleep.
Side/Stomach position: Putting baby sideways also helps them sleep but dont forget to put them on their back once they are asleep as leaving them sideways or on stomach unattended increases the risk of SIDS(sudden infant death syndrome)
Shushing : Saying Shhh or any rythmic sound help babies calm down and putting them to sleep.
Swaddling : Swaddling the baby in a blanket helps baby out of the moro reflex(reflex of jolt when falling from height as seen in infants)
But once your baby starts rolling as its own,you should stop swaddling your baby as it again increases the risk of SIDS
Sucking : Allow the baby to suck on a pacifier or its own thumb ,this will calm it down and help the baby sleep.
7. Gas and Reflux. Light abdomen massage in clockwise motion to push the gas trapped in intestines also comforts the baby.
8. Feeding at small intervals. Feeding the baby multiple times with small feeds and burping after every feed prevents acidity and gases as well thus helps baby sleep calm.
9. Rarely there may be an illness which makes a baby to cry like infections of urine, brain or its covers, lungs or blood, metabolic disorders. Signs pointing towards an illness are decreased feeding, fever, bluish colouration, fast breathing, jerky movements.
10. Meet a doctor if tips fail to make a baby calm. A doctor will check for any illness if any. After making sure that baby is well a doctor may prescribe medicines which controls gases and soothes a baby.
