Crying Baby - Learning What You Baby Needs to Feel Better & Stop Crying

Do you have a crying baby at home? Although you love your child, constant crying can grate on your nerves, making you impatient and reactive. This is why it's important to learn to read your baby's cues. Sometimes, it's hard for new parents to figure out what their baby needs from them. In this article, we'll explore why babies cry and how to find out what your baby is trying to tell you.

Since crying is an infant's only way to express her needs (most babies don't even smile until they are about two months old), at first, she will cry to express all her needs. When your baby cries, she's trying to tell you something. Your job is to figure out what that something is.

Reasons Babies Cry

The baby may

• have a wet diaper
• be hungry
• need cuddling
• be wearing restrictive or uncomfortable clothing
• be too hot or cold
• be sleepy
• be sick (for instance, have colic) or in pain

Although this may seem like a lot of possibilities to sort out, as you get to know your baby, you will be able to respond quickly and more intuitively to her needs.

Understand that although your parents or grandparents may warn you that giving a crying baby what she wants will spoil her, this is not true. Infants need to have their dependency needs met in order to bond with you.

When your baby cries, take the steps below in the order listed (unless you already know what is wrong) to narrow down the possibilities, until finally, you discover what your child needs, attend to it, and sigh once peace and quiet is restored.

Attending to a Crying Baby

• Pick up your baby. Does she stop crying? If so, she needs some time with you. Hold her and talk to her. Rock her or take her into a different room for a change in environment. If not, go to the next step.
• Check your baby's diaper. If wet or soiled, change it. Even if your child is hungry, she will not be comfortable feeding in a wet diaper, so change it first.
• Is your child hungry? If so, nurse or feed her.
• Does your baby have gas? Burp her, trying different positions.
• Is your child sleepy? Walk around with her, bouncing gently as you walk or sit and rock her to sleep.
• Are you child's clothes too tight? If so, change her into something more comfortable. Baby's need to be able to kick and move freely when not swaddled.
• Is it too hot or too cold in the room? Adjust the thermostat.
• Is your baby constipated? Does she have a fever? Is it possible she might have colic or be sick with something else? Call your local Urgent Care if it is after hours. If not, schedule an appointment with your chlld's pediatrician at once.

If your baby has colic or some condition that causes her to cry more than usual, you need support. Get a friend or relative to relieve you of your parenting duties for a couple of hours or so, so you can return to your baby feeling relaxed and refreshed.

Crying Baby - Child Development

Parenting

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