Most people react with panic when babies start to cry. And we can't blame that. After all, babies can't talk so it's often impossible to figure out what they want. And as we know, they will sometimes cry for no reason at all. If you have a fussy baby, first check if they are hungry or have a soiled diaper. If it's neither of these, try anyone of these hacks to stop their tears. You'll thank us later.
1. Om Chant
Motivational speaker Daniel Eisenman discovered this technique when he was trying to put his newborn daughter to sleep. Chanting, "Om" in a low, steady voice, he was able to calm his baby down in seconds and soon after, she was fast asleep.
The sound "Om" is comforting to babies because it resembles the loud, steady noise they heard while in the womb. This is not a no-fail technique. Although it worked for many parents, some were forced to find another way to quieten their bundles of joy.
2. Calm them down with running water
The next time you have a crying baby, simply rock them near the sound of a running tap. It has been proven to put them to sleep, sometimes in a matter of seconds.
Parents speculate that running water works because, like the Om chant, it reminds babies of their time in the womb. The sound of the water may remind them of the bodily functions they got used to hearing, like fluid gurgling through their mother's body.
3. Mummy's Old Shirt
Are you babysitting a crying baby who just wants their parents? A desperate father recently noticed that his son stopped crying whenever he gave him his mother's old shirt to cuddle.
According to a sensory psychologist, the mother's scent is "soothing because the emotions associated to Mama become attached to her scent such that her scent acts as an emotional proxy for Mama herself."
Basically, the strong scent of a mother's clothing tricks the baby into thinking their mummy is around and gets them to calm down for a while.
4. The Hold
Medical professionals call this 'facilitated tucking' but to the rest of us, it is simply known as 'The Hold'. Dr. Bob Hamilton, a California pediatrician, amazed parents worldwide when he first demonstrated how his medically approved method calms babies down in mere seconds.
To put a baby in The Hold, Dr. Hamilton folds the baby's arms across its chest and holds its arms with one hand. He then put his other hand on the baby's bottom and leans the baby forward at a forty-five degree angle. .
Afterwards, he gently rocks the baby in "stirring circles." You can find the video of him demonstrating The Hold here. Stunned parents have reported the technique worked just as they were at their wit's end. We hope it'll work for you too.
5. Baby Bicycles
Sometimes babies cry because they are gassy. A gassy baby's cries will usually sound sharper and more frantic than a regular upset baby. When gas bubbles get trapped in their stomach or intestines, it causes a painful pressure which makes them cry.
To relieve a baby of gas, hold one of the baby's legs in each hand. Bring both knees up to their tummy and repeat this about 6 or 7 times. After that, circle their bottom in the air. The baby will release gas which will, of course, stop the tears. You can find a video demonstrating it here.
6. Face Massages
Another trick which parents swear by is the facial massage. To massage your baby to sleep, simply stroke your baby's cheeks in a downward motion a few time. Then, very gently, pull your hands down your baby's eyes and face. This will calm the baby down and encourage them to fall asleep.
7. Play White Noise
White noise is a no-fail technique for humans of all ages because of their calming effect. Dr. Harvey Karp recommends playing white noise to put babies to sleep because the sound mimics what they heard in the womb.
For older babies, the droning sound of low-pitch white noise lulls them to sleep in no time. In addition to this, white noise gets babies used to falling asleep despite noisy distractions outside the house.
Sounds like cars rumbling, planes, or rain on the roof are reported to be particularly effective. Just make sure the sound is very low so you don't hurt your baby's delicate ears.
8. Keep Calm
When babies cry because of stress, these relaxation techniques may be effective in calming them down. However, if you're stressed out as well, studies have shown that babies might be able to sense it, which may agitate them more.
Try to stay calm when putting a baby to sleep. If you find that you need a minute, place your baby down in a safe place, walk a few steps away and take a deep breath. Then make your way back to your baby and show them the cool, collected adult they will soon come to admire!