How to Soothe a Baby Who Won’t Settle (Even When You’ve Tried Everything)

When your baby is upset, parents want to do whatever it takes to soothe them quickly. If you’re out of options, here are some tips from the experts that you can try.

Tip One: Tune In

When that shrill cry from your new baby pulls at your heartstrings, the first step is to slow down and tune in. We often race to find the nearest pacifier or bottle, but taking a moment to simply hold and breathe deeply with your baby in your arms is essential.

Babies can sense your stress and unease. When your baby feels your breaths deepen and heart rate slow, they’re learning what it feels like to calm oneself down. Skin-to-skin is the icing on the cake for helping your baby to regulate their emotions.

Hot Tip: You can listen to white noise in your headphones. It’s difficult to calm down with a screaming baby in your ear.

Tip Two: Get Moving

Baby still won’t settle? Research has demonstrated that babies are more relaxed with their caregivers are standing up. We believe this goes back to the most primal part of our brains that feels safer when we’re ready to run or defend ourselves.

Walk around, bounce, or sing with them in your arms. Hold them facing out so they can take in their surroundings. Or try wearing them in a sling or carrier. Put on some music and dance! Don’t worry, your baby won’t care if your dance moves are cheesy or your singing is off key. Just show them how much fun you’re having with them in your arms.

Tip Three: Distract

Sometimes we all get into a funky headspace and need a little distraction from our own minds. Babies are no exception! If your little one is fed, dry, and not ready for sleep, distraction can be a wonderful tool to help them settle down.

Move to a different room, make the light brighter or darker, go into the bathroom and run the shower

If the weather is nice, head outside with your little one. Fresh air, birdsongs, and sunshine can go a long way to get our minds on a better track. Just don’t forget to protect your baby’s delicate skin from those UV rays!

Tip Four: Sound and dark

Babies often get overstimulated. And sometimes when they’re really fussy it’s because they’re really tired. Try some white noise and a dark room! [Heck, try all the 5 S’s while you’re at it!]

Tip Five: Trust Your Gut

Trying to calm a stubborn baby can bring up feelings of self-doubt and uncertainty. Remember that you can’t settle a baby if you aren’t yet settled yourself.

Trust your instincts and take plenty of time to get to know your little one. In time you’ll pick up on all of each other’s fun quirks, and bonding will become second nature. You’ve got this!