Top Two Ways to Calm a Baby

Parents throughout the years have successfully used many ideas to help calm their babies. The most successful and enduring ways to soothe a baby involve the comforting presence of a parent. Two of the most calming activities for a baby are simply being nursed by his mother or held in the arms of a parent.

Nursing provides one of the best all around things that a mother can do to calm her fussy baby. It meets many needs. First of all, crying is an indicator of hunger, or as the American Academy of Pediatrics' policy on Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk explains, "Newborns should be nursed whenever they show signs of hunger, such as increased alertness or activity, mouthing, or rooting. Crying is a late indicator of hunger" (emphasis added). Many moms find that nursing on cue (nursing their baby when he shows signs of hunger) helps them have an abundant milk supply, helps them be "in tune" with their baby and sensitive his needs, and is less stressful for them and their baby than feeding on a schedule.

Babies often calm down when offered the breast - even if they only nursed a few minutes ago. Why is this? Of course babies nurse to satisfy their hunger and their thirst, but nursing provides much more than nourishment for the body. Nursing gives mothers a very intimate and nurturing way to show their babies that they love them. Babies enjoy being close to their mommy, hearing her heartbeat and the familiar gurgles of her stomach, their small body nestled in mommy's arms. Breastfeeding provides an opportunity to give a baby some important skin-to-skin contact.

Another reason nursing calms so well is that breastmilk contains a sleep-inducing protein that helps an infant sleep. Many mothers will happily attest to the ease of and pleasure found in nursing their baby to sleep.

Also, nursing satisfies a baby's inborn need to suck. For some babies this need is stronger than for others. Some parents choose to meet their baby's sucking needs by offering him a pacifier. This works well for many parents, but nursing moms should be aware that studies and the experiences of many moms show that pacifier use in breastfed babies can lead to nipple confusion, slower weight gain, insufficient milk supply, and early weaning. Some mothers find that meeting their baby's sucking needs fully at the breast is a rewarding experience. It can help build a great closeness and trust between a mother and her baby.

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