Helping Your Baby Self-Comfort

Materials You Need: Items you would usually put in or near your baby’s crib or other place where the baby is put to lie down. 

What You Can Do Together: It is still important to attend to your baby when he or she is distressed.  However, you will notice that your baby becomes better at calming him- or herself at least for a short while.  You can help your baby by making sure that safe items are nearby, that may help your baby self-comfort.  For example, is there a soft toy your baby likes to stroke?  Is there a colourful mobile or picture that is easy for baby to see?  Are your baby’s hands in a position in which he or she can suck on them if that calms your baby? Before immediately going to your baby, pause and look for a while to see if your baby is beginning to be able to make or keep herself calm briefly.   

What Your Child is Learning:  Your baby knows that he or she can depend on you to make things better.  But your baby is also learning that she or he can do things to keep him- herself calm.  Self-soothing is an important thing to learn, beginning now but developing in the coming months and years.  As always, your loving support is essential.