How to Soothe a Fussy or Colicky Newborn

I’ll never forget the first night my baby hit what I now know was the “witching hour.”

It was around 6 p.m. She’d been fed, changed, burped, cuddled… and still, she screamed. Not the “I’m hungry” cry. The red-faced, stiff body, nothing-is-working cry. I walked laps around the living room.Then I rocked. I sang the same lullaby on repeat until I didn’t even recognize my own voice. At one point, I remember whispering to myself, “I don’t know How to Soothe a Fussy or Colicky Newborn. Maybe I’m just not cut out for this.”

If you’re there right now — holding a crying baby and feeling your own tears building — please hear me:
You are not a bad mom.
You are not doing it wrong.
You are not alone.

Some babies are just extra fussy. Some have colic — long stretches of crying for no obvious reason, often in the evenings. It’s exhausting, it’s confusing, and honestly… it’s heartbreaking to watch your little one struggle.

The good news? There are gentle, practical things you can try. In this post, I’ll walk you through simple, mom-tested ways to soothe a fussy or colicky newborn — from motion and sound, to tummy comfort, to small feeding tweaks and, just as importantly, how to protect your own mental health during this intense season.

Let’s take it one small step (and one deep breath) at a time. 💛

1. Start with the Basics : Are Their Needs Met ?

Before jumping into any fancy soothing tricks, always check the basics. Sometimes the “mystery” fussiness is actually something simple.

Run through this quick mental checklist:

• Hunger :
  • Is it time (or almost time) for a feed?
  • Growth spurts can make babies seem constantly hungry.
• Diaper :
  • Wet or dirty diaper?
  • Some babies are super sensitive to even a slightly damp diaper.
• Temperature :
  • Are they too hot or too cold?
  • Feel their neck or chest, not hands or feet (those are often cooler).
• Clothing :
  • Any scratchy tags or tight waistbands?
  • Sometimes just unbuttoning a onesie and re-dressing more comfortably can help.
• Burping :
  • Have they been burped well after feeding?
  • Trapped gas can cause a lot of discomfort and fussiness.

I know it sounds basic, but I can’t tell you how many times I realized, after trying everything, “Oh… she’s hungry again,” or “Oops, that diaper is heavier than I thought.” You don’t have to be perfect. Just keep checking the simple things first.

2. Use Motion and Sound to Recreate the Womb

Your baby spent months in a warm, cozy, noisy waterbed — your womb. Life outside is much bigger, brighter, and quieter. No wonder they’re unsettled sometimes.

Rhythmic motion and sound can feel familiar and soothing :

Try Gentle Movement

• Walking with baby in your arms or in a carrier
  • Walk around the house or down the hallway.
  • The movement plus your heartbeat and smell can be incredibly calming.
• Rocking or swaying
  • Rocking chair, glider, or just standing and gently swaying side-to-side.
  • Keep your movements slow and steady, not fast and jiggly.
• Stroller or car ride
  • Some babies calm instantly in the car (others, not so much — every baby is different).
  • A short drive or a slow stroller walk can sometimes reset a fussy spell.

Mom note : I used to pace the same 10 steps in my living room with my baby in a wrap carrier. My back was tired, but the moment her body softened against mine and her crying slowed, it felt worth every step.

Add Soothing Sound

• White noise :
  • A fan, white noise machine, or even a phone app can mimic the constant “whoosh” your baby heard in the womb.
• Hum or shush :
  • Long, gentle “shhhhhh” sounds close to baby’s ear can be surprisingly calming.
• Soft music or lullabies :
  • Keep it simple and repetitive — your voice is your baby’s favorite sound.

3. Swaddling and Snug Comfort (Done Safely)

Some babies calm instantly when they’re wrapped snugly; others hate it and prefer their arms free. It’s all about experimenting and seeing what your baby likes.

How Swaddling Can Help

Swaddling can :

• Reduce the startle reflex (when their arms jerk and wake them up)
• Help them feel held and contained, like in the womb
• Provide a sense of warmth and security

Simple Swaddling Tips

• Use a thin, breathable blanket or a swaddle wrap designed for newborns.
• The swaddle should be snug around the arms and chest but loose around the hips and legs to protect their hips.
• Always put a swaddled baby on their back to sleep.

➡️ Important : Stop swaddling once your baby shows signs of rolling, or when your pediatrician advises, to keep sleep safe.

Mom note : My baby went from flailing and screaming to instantly calming when we found the right swaddle style she liked. For weeks, our bedtime routine began with “Okay, burrito time!” and she seemed almost relieved when we wrapped her up.

4. Tummy Comfort : Gas, Colic, and That Tight Little Belly

A lot of fussiness and colic-like crying comes from tummy discomfort — gas, air swallowed during feeds, or just an immature digestive system.

Burp, Burp, Burp

Try to burp your baby :

• During the feed (every few minutes, especially if they’re gulping fast)
• After the feed, before laying them flat

Burping positions to try :

• Over your shoulder with gentle pats or rubs
• Sitting upright on your lap, supporting their chin and chest
• Face-down across your lap with gentle back rubs

Tummy-Soothing Positions

Always keep sleep on the back, but while your baby is awake and supervised, you can try:

• Tummy over your forearm :
  • Lay baby face-down along your forearm, their head near your elbow, your hand supporting their crotch/legs.
  • Gently rock or walk around.
• Tummy over your lap :
  • Lay baby face-down across your knees and gently rub or pat their back.
  • The light pressure on their belly can help relieve gas.
• Bicycle legs :
  • Lay baby on their back and gently move their legs in a bicycle motion.
  • This can help trapped gas move through.

If your baby seems very uncomfortable, cries intensely during or after feeds, arches their back, or spits up a lot, talk to your pediatrician. Sometimes reflux or other issues might be involved, and your doctor can guide you.

5. Sucking : Nature’s Built-In Soothing Tool

Babies are born with a strong need to suck — it’s calming and organizing for their little nervous systems.

Ways to use sucking for soothing :

• Breastfeeding for comfort :
  • Sometimes baby isn’t “truly hungry” but breastfeeding still helps them settle.
• Pacifier :
  • Pacifiers can be a fantastic tool for colicky or fussy babies.
  • If you’re breastfeeding, ask your pediatrician or lactation consultant when to introduce one to avoid latch confusion.

Mom note : I hesitated about using a pacifier at first, but when I finally tried it, it was a game-changer during evening meltdowns. Sometimes she’d just suck for a few minutes, sigh, and drift off, and we both got a much-needed break.

Remember: you’re not “spoiling” your baby by letting them suck for comfort. Newborns need that closeness and calming.

6. Adjusting Feeds (Always Check with Your Pediatrician First)

If your baby is often fussy around feeds, you might be dealing with gas, fast flow, or sensitivity to something in their diet.

For Bottle-Fed Babies

• Paced bottle feeding :
  • Hold the bottle more horizontally so milk flows more slowly.
  • Let baby take breaks during the feed.
• Check the nipple flow :
  • If milk pours out too quickly, baby may swallow a lot of air.
  • A slower-flow nipple can help.

For Breastfed Babies

• If you suspect something in your diet might be bothering baby (like dairy or caffeine), talk to your doctor before cutting major food groups.
• A lactation consultant can help with:
  • Latch issues (poor latch can increase air swallows)
  • Overactive letdown or oversupply (which can make baby gulp quickly)

Formula Changes

• If baby seems extremely gassy, uncomfortable, or has unusual stools, your pediatrician might recommend trying a different formula.
• Never switch formulas repeatedly without guidance — sometimes the gut just needs time to adjust.

The key here : don’t try to troubleshoot feeds alone if you feel unsure. Your pediatrician and, if you can, a lactation consultant are your allies.

7. Turn Down the Noise : Calming an Overstimulated Baby

Not all crying is about hunger or gas. Sometimes your baby is simply overwhelmed. The world is bright, loud, and busy — especially in the late afternoon and evening.

Signs of overstimulation :

• Turning their head away
• Clenched fists
• Lots of squirming or arching
• Crying that ramps up quickly in busy environments

Create a Calm Little Cocoon

Try :

• Dim lights : Turn off bright overhead lighting. Soft lamps or nightlights are your friend.
• Lower the noise :
  • Turn down the TV or music.
  • Limit loud conversations right around baby.
• Simplify the setting :
  • Move to a quieter room.
  • Hold baby close, chest to chest, and gently sway or rock.

I used to joke that we had “evening spa mode” for the baby — lights low, white noise on, and lots of cuddles. It didn’t magically stop every cry, but it absolutely made our evenings feel less chaotic.

8. When Soothing Doesn’t Work : Could It Be Colic?

Colic is one of those words that sounds scary, but it mainly describes a pattern of intense crying in an otherwise healthy baby.

Common colic pattern :

• Baby cries for long stretches (often 3+ hours)
• Happens at least a few days a week
• Often worse in the late afternoon or evening
• Baby is hard to soothe and may look very uncomfortable

If you suspect colic :

• Talk to your pediatrician to rule out medical causes (like reflux, allergies, or infection).
• Ask about safe options to help with gas or discomfort if needed.
• Remember : colic is usually temporary, often improving by around 3–4 months. It feels endless when you’re in it, but there is an end.

9. Red Flags : When to Call the Doctor

Always reach out to your pediatrician or seek urgent care if your baby:

• Has a fever (rectal temp of 100.4°F / 38°C or higher)
• Is extremely hard to wake or seems unusually floppy or unresponsive
• Has very poor feeding or refuses feeds consistently
• Vomits forcefully or frequently (not just small spit-ups)
• Has blood in their stool or unusual, very pale poop
• Has breathing that seems off — very fast, with grunting, flaring nostrils, or bluish lips
• Cries in a way that feels different from their usual fussiness, and your gut says, “Something’s wrong”

Trust that inner voice. You’re not “overreacting” — you’re a mom paying attention. Doctors expect questions, especially with newborns.

10. Taking Care of You While Caring for a Colicky Baby

This might be the most important part. Caring for a fussy or colicky newborn can be emotionally draining. It’s okay to admit that.

Give Yourself Permission to Take Breaks

If you feel your frustration rising :

• Make sure baby is fed, changed, and placed safely on their back in the crib or bassinet.
• Step into another room for a few minutes.
• Take some slow, deep breaths, drink water, splash your face — whatever helps you reset.

➡️ Never shake your baby. If you ever feel close to losing control, it’s a sign you need immediate help and support — not that you’re a bad mom.

Ask for Help (You’re Not Burdening Anyone)

• Let your partner, a trusted friend, or a family member hold the baby while you nap or shower.
• Even 20–30 minutes “off duty” can make a huge difference.
• If you’re parenting solo, see if someone can come over just to be an extra pair of hands or ears.

Watch Your Own Mental Health

Caring for a crying baby can increase :

• Anxiety
• Stress
• Feelings of failure or hopelessness

If you feel constantly on edge, deeply sad, numb, or resentful — or if you have any thoughts of self-harm — please reach out to your doctor, midwife, or a mental health professional. You deserve support just as much as your baby does.

You’re not supposed to be able to “power through” everything alone.

A Quick Expert Perspective (In Mom-Friendly Language)

Pediatricians see a lot of fussy and colicky babies. Here’s the big-picture reassurance they often give :

• Many babies go through a peak of crying in the early weeks.
• Colic, while intense, is usually temporary, often easing by 3–4 months.
• Soothing techniques like motion, swaddling, white noise, and responsive feeding are gentle, evidence-informed tools — not “spoiling.”
• Your baby’s crying is not a reflection of your worth as a mom.

I know it doesn’t make the tears magically stop, but sometimes just knowing this is a phase — and not a failure — can lighten the load a little.

You’re Not Alone in the Crying Season

Mama, if your baby is crying and your nerves feel completely fried, please hold on to this:

• Feeling overwhelmed does not make you weak.
• Wanting a break doesn’t mean you’re “too sensitive.”
• A baby who cries a lot does not mean you’re failing.

You’re walking through one of the hardest parts of newborn life — the messy, exhausting side that never quite makes it into the cute Instagram squares. Every time you scoop your baby up, try yet another soothing trick, or simply stay close while they cry, you are loving them in the most powerful way. That quiet, steady presence counts more than you realize right now.

Bit by bit, you’ll start to notice patterns :
the way they prefer to be held,
the sound that settles them,
the position that eases their tummy.

Slowly, the long cries give way to tiny coos, soft sighs, and sleepy half-smiles. This season won’t always feel this raw or this intense.

You and your baby are still getting to know each other — a process that can be exhausting, tender, and incredibly beautiful all at once.

Even on the nights when it feels like you’re barely hanging on, there is so much evidence that you’re doing an amazing job. You don’t have to feel like you’ve got this for it to still be true. 💛

Let’s Support Each Other

I’d love to hear from you :

• What has been the hardest part of soothing your fussy or colicky newborn?
• Is there a trick that’s helped even a little — a certain hold, sound, or routine?

Share your experience in the comments — your story might be exactly what another exhausted mama needs to read tonight.

And if you want more gentle, practical tips for newborn life, mom life, and everything in between, join my email list so we can navigate this season together, one cuddle and one deep breath at a time.

Do you like this personality?