Soothing your little one's cries

Before I was a mom I couldn’t stand the sound of a crying baby. Not in the ‘I’m so annoyed’ sort of way, but a ‘heartbreaking let me hold or rock that baby ASAP or I might cry’ sort of way. Even though I have two years of crying experience under my belt, I still get that twitch in my neck when I hear a little one cry.

Fortunately for those of us who don’t know how to mentally tune out little cries, there are a slew of helpful tools. Moms and nurses with soft hearts have invented some great gadgets and must-haves in my book when trying to keep a little pea happy.

Newborn to 6 months
Pacifiers, pacifiers how do I love thee? Some babies take to them and some don’t, but one thing is for certain, the Wubbanub pacifier is the best paci for the tiniest ones. Plush stuffed animals, just the right size and weight are topped off with a Soothie pacifier. The weight of the plush keeps the Wubbanub securely in your baby’s mouth for hours. And, in the middle of the night, you will be so thankful you’re not running over to your baby’s crib to put the ol’ paci back in its proper place.

Another sure fire baby cry soother is a swaddling blanket. Some may call them receiving blankets, but the one name you need to know is SwaddleDesigns. Created by a nurse, who we all know are the best swaddlers on the planet, these blankets are large enough to fit your baby securely in them. If you can’t quite remember how the burrito wrap goes late in the night, there are wrapping instructions sewn right into the blanket. Pure genius!

6 months and beyond
Nothing says love like a tattered and worn lovie. Lovies provide a since of security. Whether you’re at the doctor’s office or leaving your little with a babysitter, having a blankie there to keep you safe is one of the best things a baby could have. Lovies come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. The cutest ones, I believe, come from Angel Dear. Piggies, puppies, ducks and lambs easily comfort your baby with soft fleece and sweet faces.

Good luck soothing your little baby, it’s a challenge from newborn to teenage, I’m sure. Bless you, if you have a colicky baby, you may need all of the above tools. And, if you can’t get some peace and quiet try a great pair of earplugs. I have many moms who recommend owning a pair!