Why Is He Crying? - The following catagories offer some suggestions for reasons your baby might be crying, with ideas on how to go about offering comfort .
HUNGER - A rythmic cry, that starts with a whimper and becomes louder and more sustained, means your
baby is hungry. Even if you have recently fed him he may not have had his fill and be demanding more. Breastfeeding works on a "supply and demand" basis - the more you give, the more you make. Don't worry about running out - your breasts will replace the milk your baby takes. Generally speaking, in the first week or two you may find yourself feeding your baby six to ten times a day. After milk starts flowing six to seven feeds every 24 hours suits most babies, but remember this is only an average.
Less than six feeds may not be enough to make and remove the milk effectivly; more than six feeds is fine as long as your both happy. If you are concerned about the number of feeds, speak to your midwife, baby health nurse, or Dr.
Stay flexable about feeding times. Between four to sx weeks babies develop some sort of pattern, but it is unusual for them to have a set, four hourly feeding routine, so try not to expect this.
PAIN - This cry begins with a high yell or shriek. It is followed by a second, or so, of silence as your baby takes a breath, and then becomes more vigorous. Check to see what could be causing him discomfort and, if you can't find an obviouse cause and the crying continus, consult your Dr.
DIRTY NAPPY -Some babies dislike the feel of a wet or soiled nappy and will let you know straight away that they want to be changed!
TOO HOT OR TOO COLD - Newborns like to feel warm and secure, so often changing their nappy or clothes is enough to set them crying. As you get more adept at preforming these tasks your baby will cry less
COMFORT ME! - Your baby may just want your attention and to be held close. Walking him around, singing and making soft soothing noises may all help to calm him. One good way to calm a fretful baby is to rock him gently, but be sure never to shake your baby. Wheather he's in your arms, lying in a pram or tucked into a baby sling, the rhythem of being rocked often does the trick. When rocking him hold him against your chest where he can feel your warmth and hear your heart beating. Alternatively, try taking him for a walk in his pram or for a drive. Strangely even the rhythmical sound of the washing machine or vacuum cleaner may be soothing to him.
TRAUMATIC BIRTH - Research has shown that a traumatic birth - such as a long delivery, very quick delivery, the umbilical cord having been around the neck or the use of forceps - can cause temporary distress to your baby due to minor injuries. Usually this distress settles within the first week or two without the need for treatment.
OVER-STIMULATION - While babies love attention they can become overwhelmed by too much stimulation, particularly after being surrounded bby a lot of people or after a day when you may have been rushing from one place to another. If this happens, let him have some quiet time to calm down. Reduce the amount of stimulation he's getting by keeping distractions and noise to a minimum. Turn the Tv off and take him to a quiet room. Stay calm and stroke his forehead as slowly as you can. Try to match the rhythem of your breathing to his, while stroking his head more and more slowly. Giving him a massage can also help calm him.
TIREDNESS - Babies don't always go to sleep when they tired, but become fractious and whingy until put in the right enviroment for sleep, such as a bassenet or cot. You will soon recognise the signs that indicate it's time to put your baby down for a nap.
TEETHING - Does teething cause babies to cry? Health professionals differ widely in their opinions on this subject. It does seem that sometimes a new tooth will emerge with no fuss at all, while at other times the tooth's arrival seems to coincide with lots of crying. Teething may cause some babies mild pain, and if your baby is around 6 months of age, and showing signs of distress, using a teething gel as recommended may help.
Sourced from bounty book
(October 2006) (
