Soothing Babies

Page Updated on July 28, 2007

Babies can easily get over stimulated or stressed out, especially if your baby is prone to anxiety. Here are some ideas to help you help your baby calm down.

• Rock or gently bounce her while you hold her (ideal) or put her in a swing, bouncer, bassinet, etc. that rocks, bounces, or vibrates.
• Let her lay on your chest to feel your heart beat and breathing.
• Try putting her in a swing or bouncer.
• Give her some soothing sounds to listen to, such as music, a heartbeat, nature sounds, or white noise (the vacuum cleaner, dishwasher, clothes washer or dryer, etc.).
• Massage your baby.
• Give her a warm bath or take a bath with her (required 2 adults, one in the bathtub and one out of the bathtub to fetch items, get baby in and out, etc. for safety).
• Take her for a walk in the stroller or for a ride in the car.
• Take her into a dark room if she was previously in a bright room, or take her into a bright room if she was in the dark.
• Swaddle your baby.
• Let her have some naked time. (You can also try putting her naked skin against your bare skin.)
• Loosely wrap her in a cozy blanket (try putting it in the dryer first to warm it up if it's cool weather).
• Let her smell some pleasant scents (like lavender or orange) by using a diffuser to scent the air with an aromatic oil.
• Place your baby on your chest or stomach and meditate using deep, slow breaths (she might pick up on your relaxation).
• If she's in a noisy room, put her in a quiet room.
• If she's in a quiet room, put her in a room with some noise.