Finding Out Why Your Baby’s Crying
One thing’s for sure: crying certainly gets you sitting up and paying attention. Studies show that people’s stress levels rise when they hear the sound of a crying baby, and you may find yourself responding to crying instinctively – even if it’s only to join in the wailing. Having a crying baby can be frustrating, but remember that crying is your baby’s only way of communicating with you and letting you know she needs something, so she’s likely to do it rather a lot.
The most disturbing thing about having a crying baby is not knowing what on earth’s wrong. Working out why your baby’s crying usually involves a bit of trial and error, but after a few weeks of getting to know your baby you’ll start to differentiate between her cries and be able to respond to her needs more easily. Here are the most common reasons for crying:
- Hunger. Your baby’s tummy is tiny and can’t hold much milk, so in the early days she’ll need frequent top-ups, especially if you’re breastfeeding her (babies digest breast milk more quickly than formula).
- A dirty nappy. How would you like to be left in one? Enough said. To avoid the soreness of nappy rash and infection, change your baby’s nappy as soon as it’s dirty and every three hours if it’s wet.
- Tiredness. A newborn needs around 17 hours sleep a day. Just like you, your baby can become fretful and irritable if she’s overtired. Try rocking her in your arms or taking her for a ride in the buggy or car to help her nod off.
- Boredom. Getting plenty of attention and having things to look at helps stimulate your baby. She’ll love to look at you and listen to you, so hold her facing you while you chat or sing to her.
- Over stimulation. Too much noise and activity can make your baby fractious, so try laying her in her cot or Moses basket while you get on with things nearby.
- Discomfort. Check that your baby’s clothes aren’t too tight and that she’s not too hot or cold. If her tummy feels hot and clammy, remove a layer of clothing or blankets. If she’s cold, add another blanket and check that she’s not in a draught. The ideal room temperature for a baby is around 18°C/65°F.
- Loneliness. Apart from food, your baby needs love and cuddles more than anything else. Many babies cry if they’re put down or left alone even for short periods. If holding your baby is preventing you from getting anything done, try putting her in a sling so that you can carry her around but still have your hands free.
- Anxiety. Remember that your baby is very sensitive to your moods, so she may cry if you’re feeling anxious, irritable, or stressed. To help you unwind, ask your partner or a relative or friend to look after her for a couple of hours to give you a break.
If your baby is crying and you don’t know why, go through the preceding list to check that she’s not suffering from any of the most obvious and common causes. If you’re confident that your baby’s crying is not for any of these reasons, it may be a sign that she is ill or in pain.
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