Why Babies Cry, What You Can Do and What Else Might Help
All newborn babies cry. They don’t have a choice. It’s their way of communicating with us and telling Mum and Dad what they need. It’s of little consolation early on of course, when the constant screaming takes its toll on sleep-deprived parents, but at this point it’s important to bear in mind crying won’t hurt a baby. And, in fact, as parents become more accustomed with their little one, they’ll gradually pick up on the different types of crying and what they mean. Below is a rundown of the main reasons babies cry, along with a few tips on what to do and which newborn gifts to buy.
I’m hungry
Hunger is the most common cause for newborns crying. And actually, the younger the baby the more likely it is that he or she is crying for this reason. The only exception to this is in the first few days after birth, when babies feed far less.
I need to be warm
Babies hate being too hot or cold. So whether they’re being dressed or put to bed, it’s really important their body’s temperature is comfortable. To ensure this, rooms should be kept at around 18?C. It’s also worth noting that Baby’s tummy is a good gauge of how hot and cold they are, while their hands and feet will always be cooler, so these are best ignored.
I want to be held
Some babies love a good cuddle and plenty of reassurance. So if they’ve been changed and fed, yet persist in crying, it may simply be they need that close physical contact. And fear not, it’s impossible to spoil a newborn with too many hugs and cuddles.
I need to be comfy
Most babies will kick up a stink – no pun intended – if they need changing. But they’ll also cry if their clothes are too tight or restricting.
I need a kip
A lot of babies simply nod off when they’re tired. However, this isn’t always the case. If, for example, Baby has been the centre of attention all day long, they may find it hard to switch off. It may be they’ve become overwhelmed by the lights, the noise, the new baby gifts and being passed from one doting visitor to the next. Crying in this instance is probably Baby’s way of saying “Enough is enough.”
I want to feel better
Parents often worry something’s wrong with their baby if the crying persists unabated. In fairness, it’s often difficult to tell if Baby is crying for ‘baby reasons’, or because there’s something more serious going on. If, worst case, it’s the latter, crying can often become more urgent and high pitched. Conversely, typically vocal babies may become unusually subdued. If in doubt, call your doctor.
I want something. but I can’t put my finger on it
Having tried to calm their Baby, parents with particularly tearful newborns are left with the possibility he or she is suffering from colic. Colic – an uncontrollable and inconsolable crying – doesn’t have a magic cure, so along with a few common remedies, it’s a case of sucking it up and trying to remember Baby will grow out of it.
So what else can be done to help comfort a crying baby? Well, first of all, wrapping them up in a nice tight blanket often helps, as does finding a constant rhythm or some ‘white noise’, like a washing machine or hairdryer. Rock-a-bye baby is a classic for a reason, while letting Baby suck on fingers is also an option.
When it comes to buying new baby gifts, bear in mind it doesn’t have to involve cute denim dungarees. Newborn gifts like personalised blankets, teddies and rag dolls might just help settle them down. It can’t hurt to try!
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