When Babies Cry

When babies cry they are trying to tell you something. They may be trying to say they are hungry, thirsty, hot or cold. They may be telling you they have been awake for too long and need to be alone with you in a quiet place. They may be having gas pains. Babies know when something is wrong but have no way of telling you.

Crying is a baby's way of asking for help. Comfort a crying baby as soon as possible. Hold your baby close, rock him or her gently, and talk to your baby. Daily cuddling is as important to your child’s health as good nutrition. The key to learning how to calm your baby is to try different ways until you find one that works.

Here are some reasons your baby may cry and some hints for calming your baby.

1.  Hunger - Hunger is the most common reason your baby may cry. If your baby begins to cry two or more hours after the last feeding, he or she may be hungry.

2.  Air in Stomach - This is a reason babies cry during or after feeding. Always burp your baby halfway through each feeding and again at the end of the feeding.

3.  Sucking Instinct - Babies are born with a need to suck. If your baby cries after feeding and you know he or she is getting enough to eat, try giving a pacifier.

4.  Sleepiness - Infants get cranky when they are tired or sleepy. Try rocking your baby gently or taking him or her for a walk or a ride. Let your baby lie next to you so he or she can hear your heartbeat. Sometimes it may help to put the baby in bed and let him or her cry for five to ten minutes.

5.  Fretfulness - Sometimes it may seem like your baby is crying simply because he or she is unhappy. This is   called “fretfulness”. Some babies seem to have fretfulness more often than others. To calm your baby when   he or she is fretful: sing quietly, offer a pacifier, take your baby for a walk, or give your baby a warm bath.   When you feel you are losing patience, give yourself a break. Ask a family member or friend to take over. If no one is around to help, let the baby cry alone for a little while. Crying once in a while won’t hurt your baby, and putting him or her down can help you relax. Your baby will probably outgrow this.

6.  Colic - The causes of colic are not known. A baby with colic cries furiously, draws up the legs and stiffens   them, and may pass gas. It may be hard to calm the baby. Your baby may cry for many hours. Colic is fairly common, and babies who have it outgrow it. You can try to prevent colic by burping your baby often during feedings. DO NOT OVERFEED. Try to calm the baby by:

• laying the baby across your lap or shoulder and gently rubbing or patting his or her back.
• offering the baby a drink of water or a pacifier.
• taking the baby for a car ride. Car rides often help relax babies and can help colic. If the colic seems severe, take your baby to your Health Care Provider.
• Illness - Crying can be a sign of illness. If you think your baby is sick, look for the following: a high fever (more than 99.6F. taken under the arm), diarrhea, vomiting, a runny nose, or not eating for two feedings in a row. If you think your baby is sick take him or her to your Health Care Provider.