Updated June 09, 2015.

Either a case of colic or unwelcome crankiness has settled into your home, and you're left wondering how to calm colic or alter the irritability of your baby. You think you've tried everything short of standing on your head and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in pig latin, yet still he fusses. Whether you simply have a baby with colic or just a cranky one, some parents report that using soothing sounds distracts their baby from their discomforts.

Perhaps this technique is something that will work for your baby as well.

Why Certain Sounds Soothe Babies

Dr. Harvey Karp, author of Happiest Baby on the Block, surmises that certain sounds mimic a similar frequency of sound that your baby heard while in the womb. Your baby might associate that sound with comfort. Other reasons white noise might be effective is that it distracts your baby from his fussiness or stimulates him in a way that meets his current needs.

How to Create White Noise to Calm Colic and Soothe Fussiness

Karp identifies white noise as being one of the best uses of sound to tame fussy babies. You can create white noise within your home in several ways:

• Turn on a household appliance. Think something along the lines of the dishwasher, vacuum, or hair dryer.
• Shush gently in his ear.
• Purchase a white noise CD.
• Use an electronic device that recreates "womb" sounds. You may find night lights, stuffed toys, or CDs that activate womb sounds. Just be careful with stuffed toys placed in an unattended crib. They can be a sleep hazard.

Other Calming Sounds

You may need to experiment with other sounds that comfort your baby. You may need to think beyond the norm to find the right soothing sounds. Who knows, your baby might silence to the sounds of the Rolling Stones or become enthralled by the broadcast commentary of National Public Radio. If that doesn't work, other common sounds that you may want to try include:

• Soothing lullabies either sung by your familiar voice or on CD.
• Rhythmic sounds like the ticking of a metronome or clock.
• A vibrating bouncy seat.

Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp, M.D.

Baby's First White Noise CD