5 Ways to Comfort a Baby Without Picking Them Up
Today we’re giving you 5 ways to comfort a baby without picking them up. Not because we don’t love holding babies, we totally do! We’re giving out these goodies because sometimes you can’t pick them up, other times, you’re touched out and need other solutions. The Jax Baby Company is big on giving parents and caregivers options and solutions that’ll work for their family.
During the fourth trimester, it’s not uncommon for parents to feel overwhelmed and be exhausted.
It’s important for parents to take care of themselves so they don’t crash and burn along the way. When burnout occurs relationships and careers struggle. No one wants new parents struggling or suffering, especially our team! There’s a fine line between normal levels of manageable stress and unnecessary suffering. This goes for parents and for babies! There have been no scientific studies to date that show periodic crying is harmful to anyone, including babies. It’s safe for your baby to cry for short periods so long as they’re safe, cared for properly, and their needs are met.
What we’re not saying: Leave babies to cry for long periods of time or ignore babies.
What we are saying: It’s okay to take a few minutes for Y-O-U and to accomplish other things on your list.
Here are 5 ways to Comfort a Baby Without Picking Them Up
Not only do these five ways work, but they’ll also help you and your baby build confidence through-out the day. You’ll want to practice these early on and practice each and every day throughout the day. Success will come, it takes time and practice for you and your baby! You’ll be able to go longer in between as you and your baby become pros and this! Before putting your baby down and trying these things make sure your baby is not hungry, dry and clean, as well as calm when being held. All the comfort in the world won’t help if they are dirty or truly hungry.
Swaddle
Babies are snuggled up cozy and tight in the womb. It’s warm and comforting, it’s home! The womb must be like chicken soup when you don’t feel well. Swaddling is one of the best ways when done correctly to soothe a baby! The trick is to get it snug, but not too tight, allow room for the hips to move freely, and be sure there’s no way the swaddle can get up around baby’s mouth or nose. A good swaddle, a slight sway(not bounce), and then lay your baby down. If you have a baby that’s a little older (but younger than 8 weeks) you can swaddle with one arm out! After 8 weeks swaddling is no longer recommended by the AAP. A sleep-sack would be a safer option.
White Noise
Once your baby is swaddled nice and cozy utilize a shusher or white noise machine to recreate the comforting womb sounds. This is the next layer of comfort. It should be loud enough to be the primary sound in and around the room, but not close to the ears. I always tell parents I personally recommend reserving this tool for naps, overnights, and to get in a shower!
Gentle Chest Rock
You’ve swaddled your baby, laid your baby down, and you’re utilizing the white noise machine or shusher. Now, you’ll place one hand lightly on your baby’s chest and gently rock your baby. This isn’t a full-on rock, moving your baby from side to side, but rather a gentle controlled shifting motion. You’re ever so softly shifting the weight from one side of your hand to the other.
From Crown to Eyebrows
We couldn’t share 5 ways to comfort a baby without sharing this one! A true trick up the sleeve if there ever was one! This one takes some practice, but man is it amazing! You’ll place your entire hand, palm side down at the crown of your baby’s head, your fingers facing one ear and the heel of your hand facing the other ear. The same direction a headband would sit. Then, in one slow very gentle motion stroke their head all the way down to their brows. Repeat. Do this slowly several times over and over. As you learn your baby this technique will be intuitive to you! You’ll figure out what your baby likes and dislikes, how slow they like it, and when you reach a sweet spot. It takes practice, even for us pros!
Pacifier
We highly recommend that if you’re exclusively breastfeeding you wait to utilize a pacifier until breastfeeding is well established for 3-4 weeks. This exclusivity will help establish your milk supply, ensures your baby isn’t being given a replacement for hunger, and helps reduce the chance of “nipple confusion”. After that have at it! If your baby will take a pacifier not only can it be a big help, but the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends it for safer sleep! If your baby doesn’t take it at first and you would like for him/her to, keep trying! Try different pacifiers, FYI, they make different sizes for babies of different ages. Some babies do better with one type over another. You can dip the pacifier in a bit of milk to help entice them!
