How can I soothe a baby waking at night?

Calm techniques to settle nighttime wakings

Start with checking basic needs: feeding, diaper, or discomfort. If those aren’t the issue, use gentle soothing to help the baby resettle without full awakening.

Soothing approaches:

• Offer quiet, low-light calming activities like soft shushing or gentle rocking.
• Keep interactions brief and practical to avoid stimulating the baby fully.
• Use a pacifier for non-nutritive sucking comfort when appropriate.

Encouraging self-soothing gradually

Try placing the baby down drowsy but awake to build self-settling skills. Avoid picking the baby up immediately for every whimper if they’re safe and not distressed — some babies resettle on their own. For persistent night waking or if you’re unsure whether to feed, check output and weight gain; consult your pediatrician for tailored advice.