Your first worry will probably be that you are not feeding your baby enough, but there are various reasons why babies cry – hunger, pain, attention, need for sleep and many more. No one knows your baby as well as you do, so below are some guidelines that may help distinguish one cry from the next.
1. Hunger. It is somewhat easy to recognize the signs, you may watch for the smacking of lips, fussing and putting their hands inside their mouths.
2. Wet or Soiled. As every baby is different, some will let you know if they are in need for a change, while others can tolerate the mess and enjoy the warm feeling. The first sign that your baby is need of a change is that your little one will seem uneasy and uncomfortable or if their tender skin is irritated. Sometimes, the cause of crying can be a diaper that is put on too tight!
3. Lack of sleep. It’s very common for infants to find it difficult to sleep when they are overtired. They fuss, cry and sometimes become extremely cranky. Parents usually have their own ways of helping their infant settle down for a nap.
4. Wants to be held. It’s a proven fact that infants like to have close human contact and reassurance to comfort when rocked.
5. Tummy ache. Gas is another very common problem. You will find that your baby cries after being fed. Refusing to eat can be another sign. You may eliminate it by letting your child sit up, moving your baby’s legs or putting him on his back. Baby tea is another wonderful option as it soothes stomach problems and helps ease digestion.
6. The need to burp. Sometimes, babies swallow air during meals, so after a feeding, a good burp may be all he needs.
7. Temperature. If you feel cold, your baby feels colder. If you feel warm, your baby feels warmer, so adjust to your baby’s needs and wants.
8. Teething. It’s a very painful stage in life and babies will no doubt suffer from this! Try feeding his/her gums with teething gel, it helps.
9. Less stimulation. It’s another way of saying that they’ve had enough! That means enough attention, enough noise, enough from being passed on from one person to the other. The best way is to make your baby feel secure and comfortable, so he/she can settle down better.
10. More stimulation. Babies like to look around their surroundings and see the world around them. It may be exhausting for you but this is when curiosity plays its role.
11. Not feeling well. You have checked everything – he/she isn’t hungry, isn’t wet and isn’t sleepy. Your baby could be coming down with something, so trust your instincts or if the crying becomes worse, see a doctor.
12. I want something but I don’t know what. Try to work out the best techniques by making it a guessing game for you and your baby.
It may be tricky to interpret your baby’s way of communicating during the first few weeks of his/her life but parents would normally recognize the sound of each cry and determine what they mean. Ensuring a response from you, although sometimes upsetting, crying is the only way for a baby to communicate. Support your baby by having control of the crying rather than tolerating it and letting things build up. Soon enough, the unnecessary crying will eventually subside.
Helpful Resources: www.babycentre.com.