Moms on Call’s Soothing Technique

Not all “cry it out” is the same. At Moms on Call, when a baby is under 12 weeks of age and wakes at nap or in the middle of the night, we encourage waiting just a few minutes before intervening. The best part? Parents get to determine what they are and are not comfortable with. At your comfort, we recommend waiting a few minutes before we intervene. What’s the purpose of the wait? The purpose of waiting a few minutes is to ensure the baby is awake and determine whether they need soothing or if it is time to feed.  At Moms on Call, we encourage creating great habits that result in longer stretches of sleep. So, we practice the pause. “Practice the Pause” simply means to wait just a few minutes before reacting. Whether in the middle of a nap sleep cycle or when they wake in the middle of the night, just wait. Waiting a few minutes will give them the opportunity to wake up, fuss, and go back to sleep, or they will let us know they are ready to eat. Once the baby is 12 weeks of age and major transitions are happening, like getting rid of the swaddle, learning to roll over, or exploring foods, some crying happens. With Moms on Call, we give you specific guidelines for what to do when your little one wakes early from a nap or in the middle of the night, according to age. With key elements in place, we can get through this and sleep through the night within a few days! Routine Follow along with Moms on Call’s ‘Typical Day’ schedules located in the Moms on Call Books and Scheduler App. The Ideal Sleep Environment Your baby’s crib should be less than 5 years old with a new mattress, mattress cover, and tight-fitted crib sheet. Confidence from knowing that your little one is safe, loved, and ready for this new freedom.  At Moms on Call, we are often known for helping families get more sleep, but we are SO much more than just that.  Not only do we cover sleeping, routines, and naps in our books and online video courses, but we also go through basic newborn care — like putting diapers on, clipping nails, feeding positions, and feeding guidance, including amounts and how to start solids. Once we grow out of the infant phase, then we walk you all the way through toddlerhood.  For personalized, one-on-one support, we have certified MOC consultants who walk with you, answering and providing a plan for your specific situation and journey. 

This is the moment you’ve dreamed about and waited for. You’ve planned for this day and have curated a special place in your home for this little one. It’s FINALLY time to bring home, baby! Umm, YAY! This is more than a celebration; this special moment will be in your memories forever. So, what do those first few moments at home look like? And what can you do to prepare? The Basics When Bringing Home Baby In those first few days at home, you will learn the basics of caring for your baby. It can feel a bit overwhelming walking into your home with a new little being that you’ve created without an instruction manual! No worries, Moms on Call’s got you covered! Take a look at our Basic Videos linked below for those first special moments at home! Moms on Call Basic Videos Baby Basics: Swaddling Baby Basics: Proper Nail Clipping Baby Basics: Nasal Suctioning Baby Basics: Soothing Baby Basics: Burping Techniques Baby Basics: Rectal Temperature Baby Basics: Ideal Sleep Environment We recommend a dual-firmness crib mattress like the Sleep & Grow Crib Mattress. It features extra-firm support that infants need on one side and less firmness on the other side to provide the comfort that toddlers prefer so that it will grow with your baby and their nursery! Baby Basics: Bathing Baby Basics: Diapering Now we’ve mastered the basics and are settling into the day-to-day routine. But what does the day-to-day look like for those first two weeks? In the Moms on Call Books, Online Courses, and Scheduler App 2.0, you can find our typical day schedules for two weeks to four years! Here is a quick breakdown of what the day-to-day routine looks like during the first 2 weeks before we progress into schedules. Feed on demand every 2-3 hours From the start of one feeding to the start of the next! We are feeding for 30-45 minutes ‘from start to finish.’ Including burping (for both breast and bottle-fed babies). Try and spend about 2-3 minutes burping (do it ¾ of the way through the feeding and at the end). Keeping baby awake for feedings can be the most challenging part! Scratch the bottoms of their feet. Undress them down to the diaper. You can also wipe their heads with a cool washcloth to help them stay awake for the feeding. Extend tons of grace – you are both just getting the hang of this! Those first two weeks are a transition period for the entire family. You’ve got this! Then if baby is healthy and gaining weight, we can adjust to the 2-4 Week Typical Day Schedule found in the Moms on Call Resources. Babies with GI reflux are considered “healthy” as long as they are gaining weight In those first few weeks, we are keeping track of wet/dirty diapers, feeds, and, well, just about everything! The brand new Moms on Call Scheduler 2.0 app is the perfect tool for busy parents ready to calm the chaos and create predictable routines that actually work! Based on decades of pediatric health and development experience, we’ve designed a solution that allows parents to implement Moms on Call’s Typical Day schedules while easily tracking naps, nighttime sleep, feedings, and diaper changes without stress.  What’s Next When Bringing Home Baby? Consistency is key! Having a few key markers in the day creates familiarity for our little ones.  Stick to the schedule as much as life allows!  Set realistic expectations!  Especially for those daytime naps!  Extend tons of grace!  This journey is new, and there will be bumps in the road; that is completely normal! Here is a list of blogs where we discuss some more firsts! The First Two Weeks Our Top 5 FAQs for Babies at 4 Weeks Postpartum To-Do’s Moms on Call’s Guide to Postpartum Care Favorite Crib Mattresses, Travel Cribs, and Bouncers at Every Price Point Moms on Call’s Tip 5 Tips for Your Preemie Baby 5 Tips for Parenting a Toddler and a Newborn