Baby: Infant – Newborn – Toddler
When babies learn to self-soothe

When babies learn to self-soothe

Self-soothing begins with co-regulation In infancy, self-soothing refers to a baby’s emerging ability to reduce arousal or return to a calmer state using their own behaviors. It may look like bringing a hand to the mouth, sucking, holding a comforting object when developmentally appropriate, making quiet vocal sounds, or briefly resettling after a normal night […]

Helping baby settle independently

Helping baby settle independently

What independent settling means in infancy Independent settling is the developing ability to fall asleep, or return to sleep after a normal arousal, in a safe sleep space without needing the same level of caregiver assistance every time. It can include quietly looking around, sucking a hand, making small movements, vocalising briefly, or having a […]

How to teach baby to self-soothe

How to teach baby to self-soothe

Understand what self-soothing means Infant self-soothing refers to behaviors a baby uses to reduce arousal and settle without immediate caregiver intervention. These may include sucking fingers or a pacifier, holding a comfort item when developmentally and safely appropriate, rubbing the face, changing position, vocalizing briefly, or pausing quietly before returning to sleep. It does not […]

Self-soothing in babies explained

Self-soothing in babies explained

What self-soothing means in infancy Self-soothing is best understood as part of infant self-regulation: the gradual development of the capacity to modulate arousal, emotion, movement, and attention. A baby may lower arousal by sucking a hand, holding a comfort object when developmentally appropriate, looking away, flexing and relaxing the limbs, making repetitive sounds, or pausing […]

What to do when baby won’t stop crying

What to do when baby won’t stop crying

Begin with a calm, systematic check Before trying multiple soothing methods, pause and assess the most common causes. Wash your hands, make sure the baby is secure, and observe the overall situation. A baby may be crying because they are hungry, need a burp, have a wet or soiled diaper, feel too hot or cold, […]

Calming Baby During Medical Appointments

Calming Baby During Medical Appointments

Why Medical Appointments Feel Overwhelming Infants have limited ability to understand what is happening or anticipate when an uncomfortable experience will end. A clinic may expose them to unfamiliar smells, voices, temperatures, equipment, and handling. Even a routine physical examination can be challenging if the baby is already hungry, sleepy, overstimulated, or uncomfortable. Distress may […]

Crying in the Stroller

Crying in the Stroller

Why a Baby May Cry in the Stroller A stroller does not remove the usual reasons babies cry. Hunger, a need to burp, a soiled diaper, fatigue, heat, cold, and a desire for close physical contact may become more obvious once a baby is restrained and moving. Babies also have limited ability to regulate their […]

Crying During Car Rides

Crying During Car Rides

Why Car Rides Can Trigger Crying A baby may cry in the car for reasons that have little to do with illness. The car seat limits movement and changes the physical relationship between the baby and caregiver. A child who is accustomed to being held may protest when placed in a rear-facing seat, particularly when […]

Effective calming strategies for babies

Effective calming strategies for babies

Begin with a calm, structured check Before trying multiple soothing techniques, pause for a brief assessment. Check whether the baby may be hungry, needs a nappy change, is too hot or cold, has a wet or soiled diaper, or is showing signs of fatigue. Feeding cues can include rooting, hand-to-mouth movements, lip smacking, and increased […]

Calm Voice and Repetitive Sounds for Soothing

Calm Voice and Repetitive Sounds for Soothing

Why Predictable Sound Can Feel Settling Infants are developing the capacity to regulate arousal: the shift between alertness, distress, drowsiness, and sleep. In early life, this regulation is largely co-regulated, meaning that the baby relies on an adult’s responsive presence, touch, movement, feeding, and voice. A calm vocal pattern may contribute because it is socially […]