In your baby’s early days, your baby is fully dependent on you for food, security, comfort, and love. As babies have no way of telling you their needs through words yet, crying is their way of communicating with you. But how do you know what your baby is trying to tell you? Here’s a general guide for you to understand the reasons behind your baby’s cry, and what you can do about them.
I Am Hungry
Hunger is one of the most common reasons for your baby’s cry. Your newborn tends to feed once every few hours during the first few months. Babies get hungry fast because their tummies are small and can’t hold much milk in one feed. Some body movements of a hungry baby include sucking the fists, or leaning towards your breasts when you hold the baby.
How To Soothe: Offer your breast or milk bottle to the baby and see if it helps. Feed your baby as soon as you notice the signs of hunger to avoid unnecessary prolonged crying.
You May Also Read this : Tips to Calm Your Crying Baby Down
Help Me Change My Diaper
Babies usually cry if their diapers are wet or soiled, as it makes them feel uncomfortable and irritated. Next time when your baby cries, check if the diaper is heavy or smelly.
How To Soothe: Change your baby’s diaper immediately. Before you put on a new diaper, make sure to clean the area thoroughly, and apply a layer of nappy cream. Pay attention to the skin folds in the process. Having baby’s good diaper habits helps prevent skin irritation.
I Am Tired And Need To Rest
Babies get tired after they are awake for long hours or when they are overstimulated. Overstimulation can happen when there is too much rocking and singing, or when your baby gets overwhelming attention from visitors. Different from adults, babies who are tired often cry and get fussy instead of falling asleep. Understanding your baby’s sleeping habits can give you a better idea on when your baby should be sleeping.
How To Soothe: There are a few ways to soothe crying baby who is tired. First, try moving your baby away from the environment that is causing tiredness or overstimulation. You can try giving your little one a warm bath too. Also, swaddling your baby in a quiet room may help him or her fall asleep.
I Want To Be Held
Babies require a lot of physical contact like cuddling to feel reassured. They love the sound of your heartbeat and the warmth of your body. If your baby cries whenever you are not around, it is a way for them to show that they need your extra attention.
How To Soothe: Attend to your crying baby immediately whenever possible, and hold her close to your chest. Singing or gentle swaying may help to calm your baby down. Furthermore, keeping your baby close to you with a baby carrier could help.
I Am Feeling Unwell
If your baby’s cry is different from the usual cry you hear, he or she might be sick. For instance, your baby is crying weaker, or more high-pitched, or longer than usual. Common illnesses of newborn include colds, coughs, vomiting, and fever.
How To Soothe: Once your baby shows any signs of illness, especially when he or she is running a temperature above 37.5°C, you should see a doctor right away.
Colic: When Your Baby Is Crying For No Reason
Colic is intense, prolonged, and frequent crying in a healthy infant. Colic is generally defined as more than 3 hours of crying a day, and three times a week. Colic can be stressful and frustrating for parents because the baby is crying for no apparent reason. Some signs of colic include facial discolouration such as redder face or paler skin around the mouth, as well as tensed body such as clenched fists, stiffen legs and arms, and tensed tummy. Before concluding that your baby is crying due to colic, consult your doctor to make sure your baby is not having any illness or other discomforts.
How To Soothe: The reason behind colic is not clear, but it usually stops on its own by the third or fourth month. Until that happens, you may soothe your baby in the following ways:
- Calm your baby’s senses by laying him in a dark and quiet room, or give the baby a warm bath and gently massage the baby after the bath.
- Try using gentle machine sound to calm your baby, such as the sound of vacuum, clothes dryer, or fan.
- Rock your baby or take your baby for a walk.
Taking care of a crying baby requires a lot of patience and energy, and it’s normal for you to feel helpless and stressed, especially when you are a first-time mom. The good news is that this will only be a temporary phase before your baby learns how to express his or her needs verbally.
Before you go, here’s a reminder to take plenty of rest yourself so that you can give the best care to your baby. If you need trusted help during the first month after childbirth, confinement nanny from PEM Confinement Nanny Agency will ensure you and your baby get the best care.
