Like most new moms, I started off thinking every cry meant hunger. If my baby cried, I fed her — because that’s what we’re told, right? “If the baby cries, feed them.”

But I had to learn soon enough that babies cry for all sorts of reasons, and feeding doesn’t solve them all. Over time (and after many long nights), I began to figure out little patterns that worked for my baby. Some of them were unusual, but they helped me soothe her faster and even made certain stages, like potty training, a little smoother.

Apart from the usual soothing techniques, here are the three unique things that calmed my baby almost every single time:

1. Rhythm & Movement With a Twist

It wasn’t always about soft lullabies or slow rocking. What worked best for us was carrying her on my shoulder and walking with a little bounce — sometimes to the beat of “There once was a ship that put to sea.” It had a strong, steady rhythm, not exactly “soothing” in the traditional sense, but she loved it.

And then there were the bottom pats. Almost every mom I know has tried them, but for us, the key was in the rhythm. Not too slow, not too hard — just a steady “pat-pat-pat,” almost like a heartbeat drum. Between the bouncy walks and the bum pats, rhythm became our magic button.

2. . Meeting Basic Needs (Even Peeing!)

This one might sound unusual, but it was very real for us. Sometimes my baby cried because she wanted to pee but didn’t know how to release.

Once I figured this out, I started holding her near the bathroom sink and pouring a few drops of water on her tummy. That tiny trigger helped her relax enough to pee — and she’d calm down immediately after.

👉 If you try this, I’d suggest using it only with babies above 2–3 months, and always making sure the water is at a comfortable temperature (not too cold or warm). Safety and comfort first.

I also believe this early association helped her become more aware of her body’s signals, and it made potty training smoother later on. Of course, every child is different, but for us, this little discovery was a game-changer.

3. Colic & Tummy Relief

There were times when no trick in the book worked, because the real problem was tummy pain. Like many babies, mine had colic spells, and during those moments, she just couldn’t be soothed by bouncing, rocking, or patting. A mix of gentle tummy rubs, leg bicycling exercises, and sometimes holding her in the “colic carry” helped for small pains.

What actually helped was giving her the colic medicine prescribed by our doctor. Once the pain eased, she settled down almost instantly. It taught me that sometimes, soothing isn’t about clever hacks — it’s about recognizing when your baby truly needs relief and not feeling guilty about reaching for medicine when it’s necessary.

---

Babies cry for so many reasons — hunger, tiredness, discomfort, or just the need for comfort. It took me a while to realize that not every cry had the same solution. For my little one, rhythm, helping her release, and easing tummy troubles were the three things that rarely failed me.

Every child has their own rhythm, their own way of being soothed. What worked for mine may not work for yours, and that’s perfectly okay.

💬 I’d love to hear from you — what’s the most unexpected thing that calmed your baby?

💡 Want to try the classic soothing techniques too? Check out our guide to conventional ways to calm a baby that parents have trusted for generations.

Every child is different, and what works to soothe a crying baby often ties into the broader rhythms of early childhood. For more guidance on baby care, routines, development, and gentle parenting in those early years, explore our Baby & Toddler Parenting guide.