How to calm a crying newborn at night is something every new parent needs to learn. When your baby cries for hours at night, you're left utterly drained and powerless. Your baby might be hungry, have a wet diaper, feel too hot or cold, or just need comfort.
I will share eight ways that have helped me, and many other parents, soothe their crying babies and get more sleep. These simple steps can turn your long, hard nights into more peaceful ones.
Why Babies Cry So Much When You Want to Sleep
Before learning more about how to calm a crying newborn at night, it
helps to know why they cry. Babies cry to signal need, not to exhaust or upset
you. They cry because it's their only way to tell you they need something.
Why babies cry at night often comes down to these reasons:
- Hunger (even if
they just ate)
- Wet or dirty
diaper
- The room is too hot or
too cold
- Overtired from
the day
- Need to be held
close
- Gas or tummy
pain
- Too much noise
or light
- Sleep
regression in newborns
I have seen many new parents think they did something wrong when their
baby cries. But crying is normal. Knowing why helps you fix it faster.
8 Proven Ways to Calm a Crying Newborn at Night
1. Check Basic Needs First When Learning How to Calm a Crying Newborn at Night
The first step in how to calm a crying newborn at night is to check:
- Is the baby
hungry? Infants' small bellies need feeding every couple of hours.
- Does the baby
need a diaper change? Some babies hate being even a little wet.
- Is the room too
hot or too cold? The best room temperature is 68-72°F (20-22°C).
- Is something
poking or bothering baby? Check clothes for tags or tight spots.
Checking for hunger, diaper changes, or discomfort solves the problem
about half the time. I remember nights when my son would cry, and I would try
everything, only to find he just needed a diaper change!
Read more about: Soothe Crying Baby: 10 Tried-and-True Techniques for Parents
2. Master Swaddling to Help Calm a Crying Newborn at Night
Swaddling for better newborn sleep works like magic for many babies. It reassures
them of a womb.
Swaddling techniques for nighttime soothing are easy to learn:
1. Spread a lightweight blanket into a diamond form.
2. Fold the top corner down a little
3. Place the baby on their back, with the neck on the fold.
4. Pull one side across the baby's body and tuck it under
5. Bring the bottom corner up to their chest
6. Pull the other side across and tuck in
I like using special swaddle blankets with Velcro. They cost more but are
much easier when you're tired at 3 AM.
3. Use White Noise Strategies When Learning How to Calm a Crying Newborn at Night
White noise for a newborn sleep aid works wonders. It reminds babies of the
sounds they heard inside their mom for nine months.
Calming white noise and soft sounds to soothe infants include:
- White noise
machines are made for babies
- Fan (not
blowing on baby)
- Air purifier
- Phone apps with
womb sounds
- Videos with
"shhhh" sounds
I've tried different sounds, and my babies preferred a running shower. I
recorded this on my phone and played it each night. It worked so well that my
daughter would fall asleep within minutes.
4. Try the five S's technique to ease your baby at bedtime.
The 5 S's method is a proven system for how to calm a crying newborn at
night:
1. Swaddle - Wrap baby snugly
2. Side/Tummy Hold – Support baby on their side or belly, but lay them on their back to
sleep.
3. Shush - Make a loud "shhhh" sound near their ear
4. Swing - Gently rock or sway with the baby
5. Suck - Offer a pacifier or clean finger
Using pacifiers to settle a crying newborn can be very helpful. Infants
often crave sucking even without hunger.
I have seen the 5 S's work when nothing else would. My friend's baby
would go from screaming to calm in less than a minute with this method.
5. Use Gentle Movement to Calm a Crying Newborn at Night
Soft rocking soothes infants by echoing their womb-like comfort. When
learning how to calm a crying newborn at night, try:
- Rocking in a
chair
- Walking while
holding a baby
- Gentle bouncing
while sitting on an exercise ball
- Baby swing (for
supervised use only)
- Try a car ride
as a final option.
Nighttime crying solutions for babies often involve motion. I remember
walking laps around our coffee table with my son until he finally fell asleep.
It was tiring, but it worked every time.
6. Try Skin Contact When Learning How to Calm a Crying Newborn at Night
Skin-to-skin contact for nighttime comfort is powerful. Babies love
feeling your warmth and hearing your heartbeat.
To try it:
- Undress the baby
down to just a diaper
- Place the baby
against your bare chest
- Cover both of
you with a light blanket
- Rock or sway
gently
I like this method because it helps my daughter calm down during her
worst crying fits. Plus, it releases hormones that help both you and your baby
feel calm and happy.
7. Give a Gentle Massage to Help Calm a Crying Newborn at Night
Warm baths or gentle infant massage at night can help release tension and
gas, which might cause crying.
Simple baby massage steps:
1. Warm your hands first
2. Use baby oil if you want
3. Use gentle strokes on the baby's back
4. Make small circles on their tummy, moving clockwise
5. Gently massage legs and arms
I have tested this with both my children. The tummy massage especially
helped when they had gas pains at night. Start with very light pressure -
you're not trying to push the gas out; just help it move along naturally.
8. Create a Bedtime Routine to Calm a Crying Newborn at Night
Even very young babies can benefit from infant sleep routine tips. A good
routine helps them learn when it's time to sleep.
A good nighttime routine for infants might include:
- A warm bath
- Gentle massage
- Fresh diaper
and pyjamas
- Nighttime
feeding routines for newborns in a quiet, dim room
- Soft singing or
reading
- White noise
- Swaddling
Steady nighttime rituals soothe little ones. My son responded so well to
his bath-book-bed routine that he would start yawning as soon as the bath
started.
Best Holding Positions to Calm a Crying Newborn at Night
The way you hold your baby can make a big difference in how to calm a
crying newborn at night.
Best holding positions to calm a fussy newborn include:
1. The Over-the-Shoulder Hold: Baby's tummy presses against your
shoulder, which can help with gas.
2. Football Hold: Rest baby face-down on your forearm, head in your hand, legs near your
elbow. Your arm applies gentle pressure to their tummy.
3. 3. Colic Carry: Rest baby face-down on your forearm with head by your
elbow and legs over your hand, while your other hand supports their back.
4. 4. Cradle Hold: A traditional position with your baby's head resting in
your elbow.
I like the football hold because it kept one of my hands free to pat the baby's
back or grab something I needed.
Natural Remedies to Quiet a Crying Infant at Night
For parents looking for natural remedies to quiet a crying infant at
night, try these gentle approaches:
- Baby fussiness
relief at bedtime using chamomile tea (for babies
over 6 months, with doctor approval)
- Lavender scent
in the room (not directly on the baby)
- Warm washcloth
on baby's tummy
- Reducing
stimulation in the sleep environment by dimming lights and limiting
noise
- Playing a
recording of Mom's heartbeat
I have seen a simple change, like turning off bright lights, make a huge
difference for a crying baby.
Taking Care of Yourself While Learning How to Calm a Crying Newborn at Night
Parental strategies for calming a baby must include taking care of
yourself:
- Take turns with
your partner when possible
- Sleep when your
baby sleeps
- Ask friends or
family for help
- Keep the baby
secure, then pause briefly.
- Remember, this
phase won't last forever
Quick relief for overwhelmed parents: steps outside, breathe
deeply, or reach out for support. Those first weeks felt like endless nights.
But this stage passes quickly, even though the nights feel long.
FAQS About How to Calm a Crying Newborn at Night
How can I soothe my newborn's nighttime crying?
To stop your newborn from crying at night, check their basic needs first
(hunger, a diaper, comfort). Then, ease your baby with a snug wrap, muted
tones, or gentle swaying. A bedtime routine also helps. These steps are great
for calming a crying newborn at night.
Why do newborn babies cry a lot at night?
Newborns wake at night due to hunger, discomfort, or needing closeness as
their sleep matures. Nighttime is quieter, which can make cries seem louder.
Learning how to calm a crying newborn at night helps you respond to their
needs.
What is the 5-8-5 rule for babies?
The 5-8-5 rule is a loose guide for newborn care, not an official rule.
It suggests babies need about 5 feedings, 8 hours of sleep, and 5 diaper
changes in 24 hours. Each baby is unique—trust their signals. Use soothing tips
to support how to calm a crying newborn at night.
Is it okay to ignore a crying baby at night?
It’s not okay to ignore a crying baby for long. Newborns cry to tell you
they need something, like food or comfort. Always check their needs first. If
they’re safe and fed, you can try soothing techniques or give them a moment to
self-soothe. This helps with how to calm a crying newborn at night.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to calm a crying newborn
at night takes patience and practice. What works for every baby is unique, and
soothing methods vary. Newborn nighttime soothing techniques improve as you
learn your baby’s cues. Key tips:
- ·
Check hunger or diaper needs.
- ·
Try comforting techniques for restless
babies.
- ·
Stay calm; babies sense stress.
- ·
Use simple newborn bedtime calming
techniques.
- ·
Care for yourself.
If your baby won’t sleep at night, this phase will pass. Use infant sleep
solutions and be patient. Consult a doctor for excessive crying. Pass along
your soothing methods to support fellow parents!
Recommended Reading
