Dealing with a fidgeting child is never easy for parents. There is no worse feeling in the world than seeing your baby agitated and not knowing how to improve the situation. However, if you try a number of strategies and are attentive to your child's needs, you will be able to calm him down in no time.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Using Various Relaxing Strategies
Step 1. Calm your child with gentle movements
Gentle movements can help calm an agitated baby and even directly cause him to fall asleep. While the movements work based on the child's character, you can try a number of strategies to see which one is best for your child. While you can adjust to the image of the mother and father cradling their baby, just make sure you don't move it for a long time until you get tired. Try some of these techniques to calm your child down:
- Take him for a walk
- Take him for a drive
- Rock it on a swing
- Rock him in your arms
- Tap him lightly on the back
- Put it on your lap and swing it gently from side to side
Step 2. Lay it sideways in your arms
Putting him down on his side can be another way to calm him down. To do this correctly, just hold the baby in a corner and allow him to stand on his side. He will be able to stop having tantrums simply by changing the way he is lying down. You can do this in your arms, but avoid putting it on its side in the crib, otherwise it risks rolling over on its stomach, which will increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
Step 3. Play a soothing sound
Making a soothing sound can really help your child calm down and be less agitated. Playing a new sound keeps the baby intrigued and alert and can help relieve pain he was previously experiencing. Look for an appropriate noise or sound in your surroundings or play it yourself. Here are some sounds that can help calm a fussy baby:
- A "white noise" activated by a device
- A sweet song
- A song without words, whispered
- Tune the radio for interference
- Access the vacuum cleaner in another room
- Open a tap
- Play sweet music
- Play sounds in nature
Step 4. Swaddle the baby
A great way to calm an upset baby is to swaddle him, as it simulates the feeling of security he had when he was in his mother's warm and comfortable womb. To swaddle, you need to use a small and light blanket, which helps the baby to stay enclosed so as not to feel the discomfort of the limbs shaking. To avoid sudden infant death syndrome or breathing problems, it is important to ensure that the baby is not swaddled too tightly and is lying on his back; it is also advisable not to bandage him with the pacifier to prevent him from suffocating, making him breathe. Here's how a baby should be swaddled:
- Spread the blanket out on a flat surface.
- Fold one of the corners down and place the baby's head over the crease.
- Wrap one side of the blanket around the baby, lock the arm down.
- Take the end under the baby's feet and pull it up, tucking it into the top where the blanket is wrapped tightly around.
- Take the other side of the blanket and wrap it around the baby so that the other arm is securely locked.
Step 5. Give the baby a warm bath
A warm bath can be a perfect move to calm a baby down. It can prepare him for a nap or just let him relax and relieve tension, just like adults do. While it doesn't work for all children, you can try to see if it has a positive effect on yours. Unfortunately, some babies actually fidget after a hot bath, so be careful when trying this method and see the effect you really get with your baby.
Step 6. Give the baby something to suck on
If your baby is upset, then it may be that he wants something to suck. It's not necessarily a breast or bottle, but you can find something else that works. You can give him a pacifier, put your thumb in his mouth or even give him the little finger, putting the nail down. He will probably be reassured by these simple offers.
Step 7. Give him a massage
Another thing you can do is to gently massage it all over your body. Touch the palms of his hands, soles of his feet, shoulders and the rest of his body gently so that he calms down with your loving touch. You can use your fingertips to gently massage it, helping to relieve any tension it feels.
Just remember that, just like a hot bath, some babies can fidget after a massage, so you should be careful when trying to give your baby a feel
Step 8. Change environment
The child may very well be upset just because he wants to be in another environment. Changing the environment - moving it to another room or adding some stimulating items to the room you are in - will give the child something to focus his attention on that may distract him from his agitation. If you don't have the energy for something too elaborate, you can just take it to a different room or stand by the window and look into it. Here you will find some tricks you can try to use:
- Looking at an aquarium, a brightly colored painting, or anything else in the house that piques his present attention
- Turn on the ceiling fan
- Dim the lights
- Move to the garden or veranda
- Give the child a new toy
Step 9. Try to silence the child
Sometimes babies end up getting even more agitated when they cry intensely. You can calm your child by pushing him to calm down until the tears and cackles stop completely. To do this, you can silence him by softly whispering "shhh" to him - not like a student might be silenced by a librarian. To do this, you should speak just a little louder than him, but always softly, and then slowly lower your voice until his tone matches yours.
Part 2 of 3: Make sure you are meeting your child's needs
Step 1. Make sure the baby doesn't need to burp
One of the reasons your child may complain is simply because he was unable to burp. This can lead to pain and discomfort, so help him relieve his restlessness. All you have to do is hold it on your left arm, with one side of your face on your shoulder. Then, gently tap him on the back until you hear a burp. Rubbing their back from the bottom up can also help relieve the pain.
Step 2. Make sure your clothes are comfortable
Another reason it may fidget is because the clothes are not comfortable. You need to make sure that the clothes are not too tight, do not pinch or oppress it. You should also be sure that they are made of soft fabric and that the skin does not get irritated.
In addition, the baby may feel too hot or too cold. Feel the warmth of her skin and make sure that's not it
Step 3. Make sure your child is not upset by a change in habits
The child may only fidget because you are doing something new that he does not like. Maybe you've switched brands of milk, maybe you've taken him for a walk earlier than usual, or maybe you're spending time in a new part of the house your baby isn't used to. While it is not possible to have the same routine every day, it is best to realize that such changes can contribute to the child's agitation.
If you're looking to make a change, try getting it used to by going for a walk 15 minutes earlier each day instead of 2 hours earlier suddenly, for example
Step 4. Make sure your child isn't just tired
One of the reasons he may be agitated is fatigue. If you see him yawning or just seemingly restless, then let him fall asleep. The baby is unaware that he needs more rest, so you should calm him down, turn off the lights and quiet him until he is ready for sleep.
Agitation and vivacity can be signs of fatigue that need help to calm the baby down
Step 5. Produce fewer stimuli if bothered by it
Another reason why it can be agitated is because there is too much confusion in the house. Maybe the TV or music is loud, maybe the lights are too bright, maybe there are too many people around or too many toys in the crib. These are some of the main reasons a child fidgets, and if you suspect that this is the case, then it may be necessary to simplify things and reduce the noise and excitement in the house for a while to calm them down.
- See what it is like to dim the sound or the lights. It may be that you will feel better soon after.
- If you're introducing them to new people, try doing it one at a time. The child probably feels overwhelmed, showing agitation in front of ten new relatives hanging around him at once.
Step 6. Give the child more affection if he feels neglected
One of the reasons why he might cry or complain is simply because he feels neglected and wants more attention. It can happen if he's been alone for a while, if he hasn't had any physical contact for a few hours, or if you just don't spend time with him. If so, then you should hold him, kiss him, hug him or just spend time with him. By doing so, you can help relieve her agitation fairly quickly, if that is the reason.
If the baby is crying, ask yourself when was the last time you held him. If a few hours have passed, then you should recover with more physical contact
Step 7. See if you can make out her cries
Not all crying should be treated equally. When you get to know your child's needs, you will be able to differentiate between the various types. One cry may mean he's hungry, while another may let you know he's wet. While every baby is different, it's important to know that when hungry, they tend to fidget and squirm silently until they cry when hunger increases. A baby who is in pain, whether it is a disease, air in the gut, or teething, will make more piercing screams with pained looks.
The more in tune you are with your child's needs and what he is communicating to you, the easier you will be able to calm him down
Step 8. See if the baby is suffering from colic
Babies who have colic tend to cry and fidget constantly from 2 weeks to 12-14 weeks after birth. You can determine that it is colic if the crying is sharp, frantic, or sudden, and if you cry out, stiffening your body with clenched fists and a look of pain or anger on your face. After about 6 weeks, the colic disappears spontaneously, slowly fading or even ending abruptly. While it may be a disheartening experience for parents and children alike, you need to know that it will pass.
- You can consult a pediatrician regarding colic, but sadly, there is no real cure. The most the doctor can do is recommend the grip water (medicine against intestinal pains for children) or the Mylicon drops. He'll probably also tell you that you need to be patient, even if that's not what you want to hear.
- You could also talk to your doctor about other problems that are a possible cause of your crying, such as your diet while breastfeeding, gastroesophageal reflux, or allergies to certain foods.
Part 3 of 3: Knowing What Not to Do
Step 1. Never shake the baby
Even though you can get down on it every now and then, the worst thing you can do is shake it. If you shake it for even a few seconds, you risk causing damage that cannot be remedied. If you feel that you are losing patience with your child, leave the room for a few seconds or minutes until you realize that you can safely return to him. If you have a real problem with anger towards him, see a doctor right away to keep your baby safe.
Over 1000 children die from shaken baby syndrome every year. It is 100% preventable. The shaking can lead to death, causing him to suffer from brain damage, mental retardation, seizures, and even blindness
Step 2. Don't believe that tears stop on their own
Many parents make the mistake of thinking that if their child cries out loud, then everything is fine. Of course, there are some cases where the baby cries and despairs to let off steam and eventually fall asleep. However, at other times the child does not cry to express the request to satisfy a need, but because there is something wrong.
In general, it is advisable to avoid letting the baby cry and scream unless you have tried anything to relieve his agitation
Step 3. It is not enough to give him the pacifier
While giving him a pacifier when he cries or squirms can be a great temporary solution to his problems, if you get into this habit too often, then you risk a serious problem going unnoticed. While it can be tempting, especially if you are with other people, you should make an effort to understand what he really needs instead of using the pacifier as a first resource.
Sure, it's okay to use it a few times, but it's wise to avoid being too dependent on the pacifier if you really want to know how to calm your baby down
Step 4. Don't try too many ways to stimulate your baby
If your baby cries and you try to feed him, give him a pacifier, go for a walk and rock him, doing all this within fifteen minutes, you risk not knowing what's wrong. Not only will you not understand what his real need is, but you will also not know what actually helped to calm him down.
Try your methods of calming him down one at a time until you figure out which one really works. You may be surprised to discover that there is no need to go out or pull out a new toy all together
Step 5. Don't feed him as soon as he starts crying
While the baby can definitely cry or fidget when hungry, that doesn't mean it's the only reason he's complaining. If you make him eat every time he cries, even when you did it just before, then this attitude can lead him to view food as the greatest source of consolation, which can result in overeating and further problems in the future. Try to stick to your feeding schedule and not feed him more than he needs just to stop his agitation.
