All babies cry it is perfectly natural, and some cry a lot. Crying is a baby’s way of telling you they need care and comfort. Sometimes it is easy to know what your baby wants; they may be due for a feed or a diaper change, or they may have been started. Sometimes it is not apparent what your baby wants but there are some common causes of crying which we will look at here:
The most common reasons for crying are:
- Hunger
- A dirty or wet diaper
- Tiredness
- Trapped wind
- Overstimulation
- Wanting a cuddle or comfort
- Boredom and need for attention
- There may be times of the day when your baby is more prone to cry a lot and this tends to be early evening when you are also tired. This can be hard in particular if your baby suffers from colic.
Try some of the following ways to sooth and comfort your baby; some may be more effective than others you will need to see what works best for you and your baby:
- Swaddling: a new-born baby can feel safe and secure by being swaddled snuggly in a blanket.
- If you are breastfeeding let you baby suckle at your breast.
- If you are bottle feeding let your baby try a pacifier; these must be steralized as a bottle would be.
- Some older babies like a piece of cloth, blanket or appropriate soft toy as a comforter.
- Hold your baby close or put them in a sling so that you can move around and carry on with household chores – you can dance or sway and sing to them to sooth them.
- Try rocking your baby gently backwards and forwards in their pram or go for walk or a drive as some babies find the movement very comforting, plus it gets you out of the house.
- Try a warm bath and let your baby kick their legs in the warm water to tire and relax them.
- Try stroking your baby’s back gently but firmly and rhythmically or massaging them with baby oil.
You will get to know your baby and what soothes and pacifies them. Crying is natural but if it becomes a problem you struggle to cope with then speak to your health care professional for advice.