| Babies' cries are designed to grab your attention. Have | | | | very difficult for them to fall asleep even if they're tired. |
| you ever listened to a newborn wail? That tiny body is | | | | A lot of crying happens simply because your baby is |
| certainly able to produce big sounds, and that's no | | | | very tired but is unable to fall asleep. Try taking her to |
| coincidence - babies' survival depends on their ability to | | | | a dark, quiet place, and walk with her until she nods off. |
| get adults to take care of them. Unlike animals, human | | | | Of course, many babies will wake up and resume |
| babies are completely dependent on their caretakers | | | | crying as soon as you place them in their crib. At this |
| for their survival. | | | | point, it's up to you: you can repeat the process, allow |
| So, why DO babies cry? Or, maybe we should ask, | | | | your baby to sleep on you, or sleep with your baby. |
| why do they cry so much? As a bleary-eyed first-time | | | | 4. Being Too Hot or Too Cold. This is another common |
| parent, I was quite amazed - not to say distraught - at | | | | reason for babies' crying. Try to feel his tummy: if it |
| the amount of crying my baby produced. She used to | | | | feels very warm, remove a layer of clothes or a |
| cry several times each hour, for various reasons; three | | | | blanket. If it feels cold, add a layer. It's always a good |
| or four times during the night; and there was also the | | | | idea to dress babies in layers. |
| notorious colic, that produced prolonged, inconsolable | | | | 5. Cuddling. Different babies have different needs. |
| crying for about two hours each evening. | | | | Some babies need very little touch, and become over |
| Babies cry for many reasons. As a new parent, | | | | stimulated when held too much. Others need a lot of |
| before you have learned to recognize different cry | | | | cuddling. Some babies cry simply because they want |
| patterns, the best you can do is go through a mental | | | | to be held. Please don't worry about "spoiling" your |
| list of things to do when your baby cries, such as | | | | baby by holding him too much! Babies are incapable of |
| changing her diaper, feeding her, or just holding her. | | | | manipulation and cannot be spoiled. |
| Sometimes nothing you do will comfort your baby. This | | | | 6. Illness. Babies do cry when they are in pain, although |
| is no doubt frustrating, but you should try not to get | | | | some actually become very quiet. If your baby has |
| upset. Eventually, even inconsolable babies calm down. | | | | fever, diarrhea, vomiting or constipation, this is likely the |
| The good news: as babies grow, they gradually learn | | | | reason she's crying. If no clear symptoms are present |
| other ways of communicating, which greatly reduces | | | | but your baby is still agitated, listen to your instincts: if |
| their need for crying. | | | | you suspect that something is wrong, you should give |
| Six common reasons for babies' crying | | | | your pediatrician a call. Most pediatricians employ |
| 1. Hunger. This is by far the most common reason | | | | advice nurses that would be happy to listen to your |
| babies cry - especially very young babies, and so | | | | concerns and advise you over the phone. |
| feeding your baby is the first thing you should try to do | | | | Sometimes, babies cry for no apparent reason |
| when she cries. Babies' small tummies can't hold much | | | | whatsoever. Prolonged episodes of inconsolable crying |
| food, so they need to be fed very frequently, and only | | | | are known as "colic." I experienced that with my first |
| take small amounts with each feeding. | | | | child. It was challenging, to say the least. In fact, apart |
| 2. Diaper Change. If your baby still cries after feeding, | | | | from lack of sleep, colic was the most challenging thing |
| it's always a good idea to check his diaper and see if | | | | I had to cope with as a young parent. Try to |
| he needs a diaper change. A soiled diaper can be | | | | remember that colic usually disappears completely |
| highly irritating to baby's skin. | | | | after the first three months, and that your baby WILL |
| 3. Tiredness. Young babies can become | | | | grow out of it. |
| over-stimulated quite easily. When this happens, it is | | | | |