Crying is your baby’s way of communicating before they can speak. Remember that first precious cry when they announced their arrival to the world?
That was just the beginning. Newborns cry—when they’re hungry, tired, sick, uncomfortable, or need a diaper change.
But sometimes, figuring out what your little one needs is challenging. Babies who cry excessively and are hard to soothe are considered “fussy.”
But while fussiness can be frustrating for both you and your baby, it is a typical part of babyhood.
Let’s look at some common causes of fussiness and tips and tricks for calming those tears.
What can cause fussiness in babies?
Some common causes of fussiness are:
1. Overstimulation
Babies can experience sensory overload when exposed to too much noise, lighting, and activity, becoming cranky and irritated.
2. Schedule changes
A disruption in your little one’s sleep pattern can make them overtired.
3. Gas
Babies are prone to gas. When those air bubbles in the stomach and intestines aren’t released through burps and flatulence, they can get trapped in the belly, causing discomfort and fussiness.
4. Cow’s milk protein allergy
Fussiness, accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting, could indicate an allergy or intolerance to cow’s milk protein.
Cow’s milk protein allergy (CMPA) is the most common food allergy in babies and means that your little one’s immune system triggers an adverse response when exposed to the protein in cow’s milk.
Your baby may also experience a skin rash and respiratory issues. Talk to your doctor if you notice your baby experiencing these issues.
5. Colic
Healthy babies can experience colic when they cry inconsolably for no apparent reason. Colic is when a baby cries:
- More than three hours a day
- More than three days a week
- For more than three weeks
Colic is most common in babies aged six weeks through four months. It could be connected with gas, overstimulation, or cow’s milk protein allergy, but in some cases, there is no identifiable trigger.
And while it is distressing for parents, colic generally isn’t dangerous and will go away on its own.
How to calm your fussy baby
While you should always check with your pediatrician for guidance and to rule out any health concerns, there are a few things you can try at home to help soothe your fussy baby.
Ease gas
Burp during and after feeding
Burping can help alleviate painful air bubble pressure.
Select the right-sized bottle nipple
If your baby is bottle feeding, ensure the bottle nipple size is appropriate.
If the nipple is too small, your baby could swallow too much air. A too-large nipple will cause the milk or formula to flow out too quickly, causing your baby to gulp, which could create gas-producing air bubbles.
Settle the formula
When preparing powdered infant formula, let it settle a minute or two before feeding to help minimize air bubbles.
You may also want to ask your pediatrician about trying a formula that’s tailored to ease gas issues.
Try tummy time
The gentle belly pressure can promote gas release.
Avoid overfeeding
If you are bottle feeding, it is possible to overfeed since the flow is more difficult to control.
Overfeeding can lead to gas, reflux, and other issues that could make your baby fussy.
Consider diet
Look at your food intake
If you’re breastfeeding, try to identify a potential correlation between your diet and your baby’s fussiness. Dairy and spicy foods can sometimes be linked to baby gas in nursing babies. A food diary can help you track what you eat and your baby’s fussiness.
Watch for indicators of cow’s milk protein allergy
Fussiness accompanied by vomiting, and diarrhea could indicate a cow’s milk protein allergy. Reach out to your doctor if you suspect your little one could have this allergy.
If you’re formula-feeding, they will likely recommend switching your baby to a hypoallergenic infant formula.
Reduce stimulation
Dim the distractions
Lower the lights, close the shades, and turn off the television and other electronic devices. Create an environment conducive to calmness.
Limit activity
Some babies are social butterflies while others can get overwhelmed by too many people, becoming cranky and irritable. Follow your baby’s cues and take them into a quiet room if they seem overstimulated.
Comfort
Offer a pacifier
Babies are often soothed by sucking on a pacifier. It can provide comfort, especially in newborns under six months. If you are nursing, introduce a pacifier after your little one gets the hang of breastfeeding.
Try kangaroo care
Direct skin-to-skin contact, also called kangaroo care, has been shown to decrease stress in babies.
Swaddle
Swaddling a baby in a soft, cozy blanket helps them feel snug, warm, and secure, mimicking the womb.
Keep tabs on the temperature
Make sure your baby does not become too cold or overheated.
Sing
Singing softly to your baby may help settle them. Hold your little one against your chest and let them feel the vibrations. Don’t want to sing? Making “Shhh” sounds has also been found to be effective.
Motion
Take a car ride
Many babies love the snugness of the car seat, the vibrations of the vehicle, and the gentle humming of the engine.
Rock your baby
When you gently rock your baby, you simulate their womb environment. It can help settle your little one and get them ready for sleep. Rocking or swaying with them while they are swaddled can be extra soothing.
Go for a swing
Since you can’t always rock your baby, let a swing help out. The continuous rhythmic motion can calm your baby—and give your arms a break. Just be sure to take your baby out of the swing and put them in their crib if they fall asleep.
Soothing a fussy baby can take a bit of trial and error. Every infant is different. What works for one baby may not work for another.
What helped your little one yesterday may not be effective today. As always, contact your healthcare provider if you have any concerns or think your baby could have cow’s milk protein allergy or other health issues.
While fussiness is no fun for you or your baby, try to be patient as you find the best ways to help your baby.
