Maybe you've heard parents talking about their infant's "hungry cry" or "tired cry", and you've wondered how they can tell the difference... it all just sounds loud! These parents probably can differentiate between cries, at least some of the time, but that only comes with time spent getting to know your baby. As you respond to your child's cries, you'll be learning how to recognize and meet her needs, and she'll be learning to trust you to do so. You're building a relationship, getting to know one another, and that takes time.
Some babies cry more than others, and that's okay. Some don't cry much as newborns, but then seem to get more demanding. Some have adorable quiet cries; some have loud get-on-your-nerves cries. They all have different personalities and different ways of responding to their world. Even so, there are common needs that babies have and common, tried-and-true methods of meeting those needs.
| Why is baby crying? | ||
| hungry | offer breast or bottle, even if baby has recently been fed (baby's tummy doesn't pay attention to schedules!) | |
| diaper needs changing | change frequently to keep baby comfortable and to minimize the chance of diaper rash | |
| too warm or too cold | baby is usually comfortable wearing something similar to what you would wear, and one extra layer in cool weather | |
| pain | check for diaper pins, diaper rash, even scratchy tags on clothing | |
| illness | does she have a fever? runny nose? vomiting? diahrrea or constipation? if so, check with your baby's doctor | |
| loneliness or boredom | put him in a front carrier or sling and talk to him while you go about your daily routine; put him in a baby seat or swing in the midst of the family activity; play with him; sing to him | |
| over-stimulated | try swaddling snugly, dimming the lights, and/or rocking in a quiet room | |
Many babies have a regular fussy time during the day, often in the late afternoon or evening; this is often when baby is becoming over-stimulated or tired. If a nap or swaddling/rocking doesn't work, try wearing baby in a front carrier or sling, going for a walk with the stroller, or putting baby in a swing. Motion is a great soother.
If your baby has a regular crying time lasting several hours each day, during which she is unconsolable, she may have colic. Some people think colic is caused by gas, since baby seems so uncomfortable despite having been fed, changed, rocked, et cetera. Others say it is more likely that colic is related to the development of baby's nervous system. Whatever the case, most babies outgrow colic by the time they are three or four months old, and there are no lasting effects. However, colic is nevertheless a trying time for both baby and parents. Some suggestions for dealing with it, found in Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn by Penny Simkin et al, include:
- lying [baby] on her abdomen across your lap or on a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel, and gently rubbing her back
- letting her suck on your breast, pacifier, or finger
- holding her face-down, draped over your arms or hands, which provides pressure against her abdomen
- walking or rocking her
- maintaining a tension-free atmosphere as much as possible; this may mean taking turns getting away from a colicky baby
- swaddling her, holding her close, or putting her in a front pack
- using a special medication prescribed by your doctor
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