How to Handle Your Fussy Baby

By Aparna - Updated: December 13, 2018

In this Article

What is Fussiness in Babies?
What Causes Fussiness in Babies?
How can Fussy Babies be Comforted?

Hearing your baby cry for the first time is an exciting experience, signaling the arrival of a healthy little person into your world. But as time passes and your baby doesn’t seem to stop fussing, the excitement can turn into worry and frustration.

After birth, parents inevitably learn that their babies cry a lot. The reason may be something obvious like being hungry, tired or wet, or something more subtle like trying to communicate with his parents.
But sometimes trying to feed, change or soothe your baby might not work. When the usual tricks don’t work, parents have to dig deeper to find out other means of soothing their fussy baby.

What is Fussiness in Babies?

Babies become fussy during their first few months after birth, whether breastfed or formula fed. This usually happens during the evening or in the afternoon, with most babies having fairly regular ‘fussy periods’. The fussiness usually occurs at the same time of the day with the same intensity . Fussiness is a normal part of infancy and usually goes away by three to four months, although the situation differs for each baby. There is no need to worry, unless the fussiness appears abnormal or the baby seems to be in far too much pain.

What Causes Fussiness in Babies?

Babies might get fussy due to colic or excess milk. They also get fussy due to skin rashes, nipple confusion, and sensitivity to food. If anything appears unusual, it’s best to consult the child’s doctor to find out the underlying cause of fussiness.
Fussiness may also happen because of fatigue, discomfort, loneliness or overstimulation. Infants get fussy very often when they are going through growth spurts.

How can Fussy Babies be Comforted?

Feeding the baby and making him burp
Changing his diaper
Making him wear loose fitting cotton clothes
Holding and giving him a back rub
Swinging the baby gently, in a rhythmic manner
Laying him on the floor on his stomach and patting his back
Reducing noise and making the lights dim
Singing a lullaby or playing gentle tunes
Giving the baby a warm bath
Taking the baby outside for a walk

Any of the methods mentioned above can be used to comfort a fussy baby. But the same technique can soon lose its effectiveness, so rotating them is ideal. Taking care of a fussy baby can cause a lot of stress and anxiety for parents. It is important to not worry if the usual methods aren’t yielding positive results. Take assistance from friends and relatives or consult the doctor if necessary. Comforting your baby gives him a feeling of security and lets him know that he is loved – after all, that is the most important thing!

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