Soothing a crying baby and coping with colic
All babies cry, it's how they communicate, and it often peaks in the first few months. This summarises NHS advice on soothing and on colic.
Run through the basics
Crying usually means a need: hungry, tired, a dirty nappy, too hot or cold, or wanting a cuddle. Work through them calmly. Skin-to-skin, gentle rocking, a walk or pram ride, a warm bath, soft sounds or singing, and a dummy can all help.
What colic is
Colic is frequent, intense crying in a baby who is otherwise well and feeding. It's common, not harmful, and usually eases by 3-4 months. Holding your baby through a crying spell and trying different soothing methods is reasonable; speak to your health visitor or GP if you're worried or want to rule other things out.
Look after yourself too
Relentless crying is exhausting. If you feel overwhelmed, it's OK to put your baby down safely in their cot for a few minutes and take a breath, or hand over to someone you trust. Ask for help, you're not failing.
Spot the pattern
Logging feeds, sleep and nappies in Cubby can help you (and the nanny) see what tends to settle your baby, and share the day.
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