How to Handle A Fussy Baby?

Team AckoFeb 8, 2024

Motherhood is a full-time job. You deal with your baby’s tantrums all day, every day. One of the hardest things to deal with is a fussy baby. When your little one cries for the first time, it is the most gleeful and joyous sound to hear. But once she becomes a part of your daily routine, the moment she starts crying, fear gushes in your head. When she cries incessantly, it can be very frustrating for you especially, when you are not able to comprehend the reason for it. Sometimes, your baby can be fussy without any particular reason and you will have no idea about how to handle your fussy baby.

There are a few common reasons as to why your baby might be fussing. By knowing these reasons and also knowing a solution for her will help you to get through the situation with ease. To say it in other words, it will make your life easier with your baby.

Causes of a fussy baby and how to handle her

A newborn baby will take time to adjust to the surroundings of our word after staying in the womb. Everything is new for her. The warmth of the womb is no longer available to her in the outside world. The cold weather and the dry wind can cause her discomfort. Some babies take too long to adjust to these conditions. That can be the reason for your baby to fuss while easting or sleeping. There are other reasons for her to fuss around.

Gas 

Gas is the most common reason for your baby to fuss around as her primary nutrition is only milk. That is why, it is very important for you to make sure that after every feed your baby burps. If she doesn’t burp, it can cause her discomfort due to gas. Here are a few things you can do when your baby is suffering from gas:

• Gently lay your baby over your stretched legs on her stomach and lightly rub her back.

• Lay her back and move her legs in bicycle motion.

• You can also give her some medicinal drops that can relieve her trapped gas (as advised by your pediatrician).

Colic

Colic is a condition where your baby will cry every day, about three hours a day, several days a week. This is a condition observed in babies from the age of 2 weeks to 4 months. If your baby is colicky, then there is nothing much you can do other than holding her close to you and swinging her back and forth. This will calm her down. The condition of colic will usually go away by 3 months. If her condition does not get better, please take her to your doctor.

By nature

Some babies are just finicky and fussy by nature. In this case, there is nothing much you can do. It is important to be patient and tolerant in this situation. Do not lose your temperament and get upset as this will make your baby fussier. Stay calm and composed and this phase will pass too. Make sure that she is always comfortable and fed regularly. Any discomfort will cause a lot of trouble for you. Her fussiness will end as she grows up. 

Hunger

This is a common reason why your baby will get fussy. It is easy to handle this fussy baby. Just feed her. It is important to feed your baby regularly. Your baby’s tummy is too small and it can’t hold too much. That is why, it is necessary to feed her at regular intervals to stop her from being fussy. Offer your breast if you feel that she’s getting hungry. If you have a tight schedule, invest in a “baby diet”, this will help you. You can also download online applications which will help you keep track of her schedule. 

Diaper issues

You should make it a habit to check your baby’s diaper every time she’s crying or fussing. The urine and bacteria from the stool will cause serious diaper rashes which makes it very irritable. Doctors suggest changing her diapers every 2-3 hours even if it’s not wet. You can use cloth diapers in the mornings as they can be easily removed and reused. 

More tips to handle a fussy baby

Some more tips on how to handle a fussy baby

Wrap her with love

You should know how to cuddle and swaddle your baby. Hold her close to your chest or neck and rock her. This will falsely lull her as it gives her a feeling of your womb. The sound of your heartbeat and the warmth of your hug will do wonders! It can calm your baby down instantly. Sometimes, your baby might like the strong grip of her father more. He will be able to rock her faster and hug tighter. So you can take a break and give the responsibility of handling your fussy baby to your partner. 

Sing for her

You should hold your baby close to your neck or right against your chest, swaddled in a blanket, and hum a song. The sound of your voice coming through your chest mixed with your heartbeat is soothing because it sounds like the womb. You can sing your favourite song to her by whispering in her ear. Some babies love this and will immediately calm them. 

Play some music

The ideal environment for your baby to sleep is a silent room. But some babies are “sound-loving”. If your baby is one of them, here are a few sounds that you can play to handle her fussiness and make her go to sleep:

• Gentle, melodious baby rhymes in low volume during nap time.

• Whirring fans can be a soothing music for some naughty little ones.

• White noise like sounds of waves on a beach or sound of gentle rainfall.

Walk it out

Sometimes, it becomes very strenuous and almost impossible for you to handle your fussy baby. Taking your little one for a walk at this time is a way of distracting her and calming her down. This will also feed her observation skills and help her enjoy the surroundings. The park is the best pace to take her for a walk. Make sure that the weather is not too hot or too cold; this will only make her fussier. Take all the necessary things with you before taking her for a walk, including a fully charged phone.

There are many other ways of handling your fussy baby. Giving her a baby massage is a wonderful way to soothe her. This will relieve her body muscles and increase blood circulation. Add this in your schedule and it will go a long way in keeping her calm. Keep a check on her to make sure that she is comfortable and nothing is bothering her. Rubbing your baby’s gums might work too.

As a parent, it is vital for you to be patient and composed to handle your fussy one. Getting frustrated and raising your temper will only worsen the situation. A harmonious behaviour from you will go a long way. You can always seek help from your friends and family if things go out of hand. If you keep all these tips in your mind, handling your fussy baby should be a difficult task.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only, based on industry experience and secondary sources. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified expert for health or insurance-related decisions. Content is subject to change, refer to current policy wordings for specific ACKO details.