The Dear Dr.MOZ Baby Blog

Dear Dr.MOZ,

I heard about The GoodFather Fridays, so here’s my first submission for the GoodFather. I say “my first” submission because I’m a first time dad so this could be the part one of a mini-series. My baby girl cries a lot a night, so I was hoping for a few ideas on how to calm my baby down when she starts crying that I could do on my own. I’ve heard (and tried) most of the usual tips like taking her for a drive, but that isn’t always realistic…and gas isn’t getting any cheaper.

Thanks for the help,
Joe R.

Hello Joe,

Thanks for visiting the GoodFather, I’ve been expecting you. The first thing to remember is that your baby is crying because she is upset, so make sure you have considered the usual causes for discomfort like hunger or a dirty diaper. Once you’ve determined that she is fine in those departments, try a few of these tips pulled from the GoodFather files.

Stomach:
Lie on your back and put her on your stomach (skin to skin). Your warm

skin may relax her to the point of burping up on you. Remember, only attempt this step if you can still reach your baby after placing her on you stomach. Sorry, I couldn’t resist.

The Pinky Finger:
Never underestimate the power of the pinky finger. After making sure your pinky finger is clean, put it on her lip and see if she wants to suck on it. This may calm her down long enough to help her fall back asleep.

Monotone Humming:
Babies are often soothed by long repeated humming sounds, so give it a try. For the double whammy, throw in a Pinky Finger (last tip) while humming.

I have many more tips available in The GoodFather gift CD-ROM for new and expecting dads, but this will help you along…for tonight anyway. Thanks for the question Joe, and welcome to the family.

The GoodFather