At Target Learning Ventures, we often hear from parents who are doing their best—but still feel overwhelmed. From feeding struggles to unpredictable routines, one concern that comes up again and again is this:
How to calm a restless baby?
We understand how challenging those hours can be—when nothing seems to work and emotions run high. That’s why we believe in sharing not just products, but real parenting stories and tips that can help, even in the smallest ways.
Here’s one such story from a mom in our community—and a gentle tip that worked for her.
Saurabhi Lanjekar with her little sunshine, Ekaaksh—capturing a moment of pure love and tradition.
If you had asked me a few months ago what part of the day I dreaded most, I would’ve said evenings—without a second thought.
It’s strange, really. You’d think that once the sun starts setting, things would slow down. But in our house, everything felt like it sped up. My son, Ekaaksh, would grow increasingly cranky—refusing to be held, then crying the minute I put him down. Feeding wouldn’t help and rocking him just made him more agitated. My husband and I started referring to it as his ‘evening meltdown hour.’
For a while, we tried everything—playing, warm baths, lullabies. Some days they worked, most days they didn’t. And honestly, it was starting to affect me. I began to feel anxious even before he started to get fussy, bracing myself for a storm I couldn’t control.
One day, out of sheer desperation, I decided to change my approach.
Instead of trying to distract him constantly or ‘fix’ his mood, I decided to create a small window of quiet attention. No music. No bouncing. Just a cozy mat, a dimly lit corner, and the two of us doing one thing together—tummy time.
But here’s the trick I discovered: Tummy time works best when it doesn’t feel like a task. I started treating it more like a bonding ritual than a milestone we needed to hit. I’d talk to him softly, place a few textured toys nearby, and always bring out something visually interesting—a book, a photo frame, even a colourful spoon some days. It didn’t matter what it was, as long as he had something new to observe.
Over time, he began to associate that time with calm. So did I.
And then, a few days later, I pulled out a tummy time book we’d received as a gift but never really used—it had bold patterns, bright colours, and sea animals. To my surprise, he was completely drawn in. He focused, followed the shapes, and gave me a minimum of five minutes of pure stillness.
Now, that book is part of our evening toolkit. But the real lesson came before the book ever entered the picture.
Sometimes, the best way to soothe a baby isn’t to try harder—it’s to slow down, create consistency, and just be present.
So if you’re struggling with your own ‘meltdown hour’, try a simple routine that centres around connection rather than correction. For us, tummy time became that moment.
– Saurabhi Lanjekar, mom to 4-month-old Ekaaksh
Every baby is different, and so is every parenting journey. But sometimes, the smallest shifts in approach—like slowing down and building a calming routine—can make a world of difference.
At Target Learning Ventures, we’re here to walk this journey with you—through stories, support, and simple ideas that work.
More than anything, we hope this story reminds you: You’re not alone. You’re doing your best. And that’s more than enough.
What’s your go-to routine that works like magic for your baby? Drop it in the comments—we believe the best parenting tips come from each other.
