We can’t avoid it: Babies cry a lot. It’s how they let you know they’re hungry, worried, scared, or tired. Then how do you know what your baby is trying to tell you? It can be hard to figure out your child’s cries at first. Here’s how to soothe your crying baby, no matter why they’re crying.
When I’m hungry, I cry.
Your baby’s stomach is pretty tiny, so it can’t hold a lot. It won’t be long before she needs another feeding. Don’t be afraid to offer your breast to her, even if it’s been a while since her last feed. That’s called responsive feeding. As soon as a baby is done nursing, she will come off your breast in her own time, looking happy and content.
Formula-feeding babies won’t need more milk for at least two hours after their last feeding. But every baby is different. A baby who consistently doesn’t finish her feeds may like to drink formula little and often. It’s worth trying to give her an earlier feeding.
Your baby might not stop crying right away, but let her keep feeding if she wants to.
I’m crying because I have colic.
Crying can be associated with stomach troubles such as colic or gas. An infant with colic usually cries inconsolably for at least three hours a day, every third day, for a period of three weeks.
A baby that fusses and cries immediately after eating could have tummy pain.
Getting gas pains from time to time can make your baby miserable even if she isn’t colicky or fussy after eating. If your baby has gas, try placing them on their backs, holding their feet, and gently moving their legs like a bicycle.
I’m crying because I want to be held.
If your baby cries while you are away, you should pay attention. Keep your newborns close to you as possible, and keep them within sight. Carrying your baby in a sling may also help.
When I cry, I’m tired and need a rest.
A common reason babies cry is that they’re exhausted. It’s exhausting to be so tiny and cute!
When you think your baby is tired, you should help them fall asleep. The average newborn needs up to 17 hours of sleep a day, which means they’re tired a lot. Since they’re not able to do much on their own, their brain and body are still developing quickly.
Too cold or too hot makes me cry.
When you take off your baby’s clothes to change their diaper or wipe their bottom with a cold wipe, they may protest by crying.
A newborn likes to be wrapped up and kept warm – but not too hot. In general, they’re okay with wearing more layers than you need. Babies are less likely to cry when they are too warm than when they are too cold.
I’m crying because I need a diaper change.
The baby usually complains when he has wet or soiled diapers, especially if his skin is irritated. In case the baby has a stool in his or her diaper, you should change the diaper as soon as possible. It’s usually easy for parents to tell if there’s stool in the diaper if they detect a smell. Most babies should have their diapers changed every two hours.
Diapers for younger babies typically have an indicator strip that turns blue when the baby pees. Caregivers can tell when to change the diaper when they see this.
I’m crying because I’m not feeling well.
When your baby is ill, she is likely to cry in a different tone than what you’re used to hearing. The tone may be weaker, more urgent, or high-pitched. It is possible that she is not feeling well if she used to cry a lot but has become unusually quiet.
The baby is extra sensitive to scratchy clothing tags and fabrics. You have to keep in mind that they can be extremely picky about such subtle things as where they are held and the bottle you offer.
During teething, your baby may also be upset more than usual. A baby is usually irritable and restless before the first tooth erupts.
There is no one who knows your baby better than you. Do not hesitate to call your doctor or health visitor if you feel something is not right.
After working with kids for almost a decade, I can declare that I’ve found my destiny.