Your sweet bundle of joy awakens from his slumber and, upon changing his diaper, it begins. He starts with a simple groan, a few kicks of his legs, and suddenly you’re hit with a frantic RUSH of unconsolable crying. This may happen before giving him his bottle, or may even strike out of the blue. This time is heartbreaking for lots of parents, and in that very moment you may feel very overwhelmed. Today I’m going to share with you my tips on how to soothe and comfort an unconsolable baby.

“How did you get him to stop crying so easily?”

As a Newborn Care Specialist, my clients over the years have asked me this question countless times. It’s my job to tend to the needs of the baby, but to also educate and support parents so they can ultimately have an enjoyable experience with their little one. So, without further ado, let’s get to it!

First and foremost, what I usually cover with my clients is the basis of crying. Crying is an innate way your baby communicates to you before he develops language. Babies cry, and this is a good thing. How else would we know if a baby were hungry, cold or in pain? Now that we’ve covered this, let’s start talking about WHY an infant may be crying.

CRYING BABY CHECKLIST

You’ll eventually be a pro at this and do it mentally, but write this checklist down for now. When your baby begins to cry, ask yourself the following questions. If you have determined that the cause is not detected, move on to the next possible cause.

Does he have a fever? Is he sick? Take his temperature.
Is he hungry? Feed him.
Does he have a dirty diaper? Change his diaper.
Is he gassy? Burp him. (15 minutes)
Is he uncomfortable? Too warm or cold?
Is he OVERTIRED? Soothe and calm.

*BONUS* If you’ve already completed steps 1-5, and you have determined that he is overtired, or perhaps may feel lonely, begin to soothe and calm him. If you’re having trouble doing this and he won’t seem to settle, I will share with you my secret! Ready? The 5 S’s method by Dr. Harvey Karp. Harvey Karp is an American pediatrician and children's environmental health advocate. He is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Karp is best known for his techniques for calming infants and promoting sleep. He is the author of one of my favorite infant soothing resources, The Happiest Baby on the Block.

5 S’s: Swaddle, Side-Stomach Position, Shush, Swing, and Suck.

Follow these steps: