An important question all new parents ask is ‘How do we soothe a new baby?’
I should start by saying that ALL babies are different. Something that might work for one child may not work for your newborn. I have collated my top 10 tips on how to soothe your new baby here in the hope that this blog might be helpful. There is nothing worse than struggling to get your newborn to sleep at 3am!
Get rid of any obvious reasons your baby might be upset. Are they hungry? Do they need a change? Are they too hot/cold? Are they a bit windy?
Rock your baby! They were moving for 9 months while in the womb so love the sense of motion. This could mean putting them in the buggy and going for a little walk. Or maybe a little ride in the car. Sometimes just a cuddle and a little bounce. Or pop them into a rocking crib. You will learn very quickly what your baby likes.
Swaddle your baby. They were used to not having much wiggle room when they were in your tummy. Use a large muslin or a wrap swaddle to wrap your baby nice and tight. (Always make sure that your baby can breath. There are plenty of videos on Youtube offering guidance on how to swaddle your baby safely.
Use noise! When they were in the womb it was noisy for them. Noise can be a real comfort so turn up your music or do some hoovering! I always use a white noise machine in the studio to help your baby lull off to sleep.
TALK to your baby. They love hearing the sound of your voice.
Use a dummy. I know that advice over using a dummy is very split. I was adamant to start that I didn’t want to use one. When my eldest reached the age of one we finally gave in! If using a dummy helps to settle your baby I would always say go for it! Check out my blog all about using a dummy in your newborn session.
Daddy! Sometimes all they need is Daddy. My girls call it a ‘Daddy cuddle’.
Reduce the over stimulants. The first few weeks of your newborns life are filled with visitors! They hardly get a chance to recharge before the are passed on to the next visitor. Although this is such a precious and lovely time it can also lead your baby to feel very restless. By reducing stimulants around your baby. It might mean turning off the bright TV or turning down the lights.
Know when to take a break. Having a new baby is really hard. I have been there. Twice. Your baby can sense when you are angry and frustrated. Your body tenses and it can often lead to more tears (from both baby and you!). Know when to take a short break to give you a chance to calm down.
Don’t forget that cuddles are so important! Sometimes your baby just wants a big hug! They lived in a very safe and cosy world for the first 9 months so sometimes they just want you close.
I hope that my top 10 ways to soothe a new baby has been helpful to you. Did something else work for you? I would love to hear from you!
If you are expecting a baby in Plymouth I am taking advance bookings for August 2020. I am also taking bookings for Little Sitter and Cake smash sessions in the studio too. Feel free to head over to my Facebook Page for my most recent updates!
