Babies cry in order to communicate their needs. Parents often understand the reasons for crying, through practice. Babies may cry due to hunger, wet nappy, illness or feeling sleepy. Crying is normal and parents should try to comfort the baby.
Crying as a means of
communication
Crying is the first form of baby talk. It is your baby's only way of communicating to you, whether she is
hungry, lonely, tired, wet, uncomfortable, too hot, too cold, or just generally
frustrated. Though it may seem impossible initially, you will learn to
a certain extent to differentiate between your baby's different cries and
decipher what it is she wants. In time, your baby will become more self-reliant
and a better communicator and you will become more proficient at interpreting
her cries. She will cry less often and for shorter periods and be more
easily comforted.
Crying from hunger
Most of the time that the baby is
crying, it is because of hunger. Some parents begin to recognize
the cry of hunger at a very early age. It has been observed that
the feeling of a full stomach gives a baby the most comfort. It is not the
act of feeding, swallowing or being held.
Crying because of fatigue
Babies often cry themselves to sleep
because of fatigue. Parents need not be concerned, as babies will eventually
outgrow this habit. Attempting to soothe the baby by picking her up or
trying to pacify her with a dummy is not advisable. This will make it more
difficult for her to learn to fall asleep on her own. A regular bedtime
routine and adequate rest during the day should help.
Crying because of indigestion
Babies also often cry because of
colic pain. This does not mean that the baby is colicky. When
babiescry with a genuine colic pain, it means that they have some form
of indigestion in their system.
If the baby is on formula milk and
if you have just introduced this brand, it is possible that this particular
brand of formula milk is not suiting her. But before you make the
hasty decision of switching brands, see if this pattern continues for a
couple more days. If she is exclusively on breastmilk, some people
believe it could be as a result of something heavy (difficult to digest)
that the mother has eaten. If the baby has already been introduced
to solids, it may be helpful to analyze the baby's food intake throughout
the day and try to identify some food/foods that could be the cause of
this indigestion.
In order to relieve this pain, many
Indian mothers prefer to give their babies. Although
the medical benefits of gripe are not clear, (i) it may help the mother
feel better that she has tried to soothe the baby; and (ii) it may also
help in distracting the baby a little, since gripe water has a nice sweet
taste
Crying because she
needs to be burped
Babies often feel uncomfortable because
they have swallowed air. Parents can take a few precautionary measures
to prevent this happening. Babies will swallow less air if you keep them
upright as much as possible during feeding and burping. The right-size
teat hole on a bottle will also reduce air intake. Burp the baby regularly
during feeds in order to expel swallowed air. Applying light pressure to
the baby's abdomen (by laying her across your lap, tummy down, or upright
against your shoulder) while patting or rubbing her back has also been
known to be effective.
Crying for apparently
no reason at all
Sometimes though you have taken care
of all your baby's basic needs, she just will not stop crying. Some studies
indicate that four out of five babies have daily crying sessions lasting
from 15 minutes to an hour for no apparent reason. These crying jags usually
occur in the evening that tends to be the busiest time of the day. There
may be a lot of noise and activity as the rest of the family returns home
and prepares to settle down for the evening. Babies often cannot tolerate
this heightened hustle and bustle. For the baby it could be the end of
a tiring day, taking in new sights, sounds and smells. After the sensory
overload, the baby would like to relax by having a good cry.
Name:
Pragati
Country: India
I was uncomfortable with letting my son cry for even a minute or two. I was so against it that I ended up co-sleeping with him just to keep him happy. He is now 4 months old & went for his check up last week & I asked the doctor how I can get him to sleep in his crib. I had tried the method where you pick him up every time he cries, I tried comforting him without picking him up. Neither accomplished anything, except I was exhausted & very frustrated. The doctor said to just leave him for every nap & at bedtime. Let him cry & check on him every 20 mins to make sure he is ok. I spent the whole first day crying just as much as he did. BUT, that first night, he went to sleep after whining for about 20 mins & slept for 9 1/2 hours! He has been sleeping in his crib for naps & at night for the past 6 nights with less fussing each time. Your baby needs to learn how to soothe himself after a few months. As long as his needs are met, he will be fine. Do what you are comfortable with & what works
Name:
Mcdume
Country: India
Good overall article. Babies do cry for all kinds of reasons. It would be so much easier if they could just tell us what's wrong... if anything. Sometimes a baby (just like an adult) needs a good cry.
Name:
donna
Country: england
i would jut leave her to cry for a litle while
Name:
gini
Country: usa
there are many people in my family, 2 parents and 3 other children besides baby. she seems to cry when everyone is busy. i am learning to let her cry a little longer in these situations although it makes me ache.
Name:
Shibani (NewZealand)
Country: other
nope not at all times! my 2 year old son cries only in the evenings when we come back home from work. we amusingly call it his "week day evening syndrome" but in reality he just wnats attention from us. since the whole day he would be away from his parents in the daycare with other children and teachers, he shows by crying and nagging in the evening when he reaches home, that how much he had missed us whole day! initially we used to get upset and ignore him but now one of us sits beside him and shower affection for about half and hour or so. he gets back to normalcy after that. we now are slowly comprehending his actions and trying to understand his problems and finding out a solution for it! happy parenting!:0)
Name:
Jessica Bueno
Country: usa
my baby is 3 months old and he cries alot, hes really used to some one holding him.
Name:
hector hernandez
Country: usa
i have a 3month old baby crys alot in the night!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!
Name:
dan
Country: england
i like this story becauas it is for litul kids
Name:
Tracy Macias
Country: usa
i have a baby of my own and he is a month old. he eats alot, every three hours or so he drink about 5-6 oz. i am 15 and i am getting the hang of taking care of my baby, actually i got so good at it that a nother mother asked me if i could babysitt her 3 month old. i said yes but that first day, that baby cryed repediately and very loud, i was not prepared for that. well i then asked the mother why did he cry like if they were hitting him or screaming at him and she told me that he did not recognize my voice. then i wondred if baby's are smart enough to determine who is and who is not their pearents.
Name:
cassandra
Country: usa
i have twin girls they cry alot. i get big headaches im only 14
Name:
tanya woodruff
Country: canada
i have twin boys who are very different from each other. they are a year old and often need to cry themselves to sleep. it is hard to listen to but sometimes just leaving them is all that works.
Name:
SS
Country: india
my elder son used to cry a lot as a newborn. especially during the night. nothing used to pacify him. but gradually it the frequency diminished now he is 3+ but cries after waking up. my younger son who is 11 months never had this problem. this means babies are different and your are lucky if get one who does not cry
Name:
Linda
Country: usa
sometimes babies cry because they want to be held close to you and be able to smell you and feel your heartbeat and know that you are there for them. enjoy your babies, and good luck, especially to those of you who are practically babies yourselves
Name:
Sara
Country: other
i have a 3-months old baby. she is crying a lot lately. sometimes she is sleeping and for no reason she starts crying. this article really help me to understand that i am not the only one who has a baby who cries for no reason.
Name:
christina rodriguez
Country: usa
i really liked this article. my babie is only two months old but she does not cry a lot. that is good because she is a good little girl. i am 18 and she is my first daughter. i thought it was going to be difficult caring for her cause i am still a freshman in college. my mom has no trouble at all caring for, and she gets really excited when i come home from school. i think she is smart and knows what is going on in the world. when i talk to her she smiles and laughs with me. of course she does cry but only when shes hungry. and she doesn't liked to be carried a lot, or she gets fussy. but she's my first baby so i like to carry her a lot. she likes it better when she's sitting up and looking all around, i guess to explore her surrondings, than to be in someones arms. she's my first and i love her alot.
Name:
Amanda S.
Country: usa
i know from experience, with a colic baby, that it is very hard to let your baby sit there and cry. you always want to hold them but you also have to get things done when you're a single mom at 17.
Name:
N K
Country: india
just like we do certain excersizes at school or join a gym later on babbies too perform excersizes by crying
note
if your babby is crying but looks happy and content dont think she wants to feed she is doiung an excersize i have seen my nephews nieces grow up in front of my very eyes i have two little grand daughters and a daughter is expecting a babby soon try to understand your babby you do no longer have to worry
Name:
Sakina
Country: australia
i find this site very useful for would be parents and current parents as well. i have gone through a few sites, but this sites makes reading a pleasure and the information is very positive. also, this site captures a variety of topics! excellent information! =)
Name:
Pragya
Country: hongkong
hi, my 3months is now getting much better as we had nice lecture from our doctor. who told us to make her routine instead of giving milk every now and then. that way its much better for us and also for the baby. first few days initially will be hard offcourse. now she is getting used to it. at night also sleeping and only awakes when she is hungry. i know its difficult to see your child hungry........but controlling is must. and also must check her or his comfort.......babies don't just cry for anything........we should know how to pacify them....
:o)))) good luck to all of you.
Name:
Caroline Palka
Country: usa
my comment is why do babies cry when they get shots? do they not like the prick or something? my e-mail address is cap@kans.com. i appreciate it. thank you very much. sincerely, caroline palka, baldwin city, ks. 66006.
Name:
Mark
Country: australia
oliver is 6 weeks, cries a lot and there is nothing we can do about it. i suspect he is a sensitive little guy and emotionally needy. all you can do is retain your sanity and hope it will all end in the 3 months they suggest. i sympathise with other parents in the same situation
Name:
todd
Country: usa
he all ways cry becuas he likes to
Name:
Seema
Country: canada
i know with my youngest child that wet or soiled diapers will promote a crying spell, whereas with my oldest child wet or dirty diapers don't seem to cause him any discomfort or grief.
Name:
Neferterria
Country: usa
i really like this site. my teacher recommended this site to me because i'm taking a course in school called child development. in that course they prepare us to become parents when we are older or if we happen to become children at such a young age and this site really helps teens that are raising kids. so i have to say this is a really good site.
Name:
Susan
Country: canada
i have a newborn that is a month old. she cries all the time. i was told that she is cholic. but how do i really know. i have tried all kinds of things to make her stop and im not having much success. please help.
mom in need.
