Handheld lullaby – sing and soothe your baby (and yourself)

What to try

• Gently stroke your baby’s palm, or let them hold on to your finger while you sing or hum something soothing. It could be a favourite song, lullaby from your own childhood or simply a made-up tune featuring whatever words come into your head.

Good to know

Newborn nights combined with learning about the little person you’re caring for can be hard. The act of singing or humming not only soothes and comforts your baby alongside your touch, but it can also help to soothe you.

Singing or humming vibrates in your throat and this stimulates your vagus nerve, which travels from your brain to your abdomen. Activating this nerve tells your body that everything is okay and helps to calm you by telling your nervous system to relax. It’s a simple way to get a little serenity back when things feel overwhelming.