Persistent Crying-Baby Care

Some young babies have prolonged bouts of crying, which typically occur in the late afternoon and evening, and can last any where between two and four hours. Babies often begin this pattern of persistent crying at about three weeks of age, and will usually have grown out of it by about three months. This pattern of crying has become known as colic, because as the baby becomes increasingly upset and difficult to soothe, he may often pull his legs up and arch his back as if experiencing abdominal pain. In fact, it's probably misleading to give it any special name, because there doesn't seem to be any known cause for this pattern.nGetting Through ItnnA baby who is persistently fretful may cry readily at other times, not just in the evening. However, the evening pattern of crying can be a particular strain for parents, especially if one or both of you has been working during the day. It may be that your baby senses and resets to your tiredness at this time. Although this crying pattern may only last three months, this period can seem never ending to new parents who have to deal with their baby's distress day after day. Trying some of the suggestions for soothing your baby given below and should help you through this difficult time.nAccepting Help From OthersnnSome times a crying baby can make parents who are already tired from broken nights feel quite desperate this is the time to speck help. Don't ever feel that you are failing as parents if you accept assistance, countless other parents will have felt as frustrated and exhausted as you because their babies have cried a lot and have been difficult to soothe. Jump at the chance if your baby's grandparents or other friends or relations offer to care for your baby for a while so you can get out on your own for a couple of hours or enjoy some unbroken sleep. If they don't offer any help, don't be afraid to ask them. There's no need to feel guilty they will be glad to have the chance to relieve you, and it will help you to get things back into perspective. It's a great help, too, to talk to healthcare or baby care professionals, who are there to support you.nComforting Your Older BabynnAs your baby grows and becomes more aware of her surroundings, her pattern of crying will change because it's not the only way she can communicate with you now. Her reasons for crying will also be easier for you to both predict and interpret. You'll begin to distinguish between frustration, hunger, pain, or loneliness. Even when your baby is beginning to become more mobile and independent, the best way to comfort her if she's unhappy is with your company, hugs, and cuddles.nSecurity BlanketsnnToward their first birthday, many babies will have become attached to a particular comfort item a favorite soft toy, cloth, or blanket that probably helps them sleep and that may be grabbed when they're feeling a bit insecure and upset. Other babies become attached to a pacifier or suck their thumbs. This is perfectly normal, and there's no point in distressing your baby by removing the item on the grounds that it is a bad habit, it isn't. As your baby's confidence and independence develop after her first birthday, she'll gradually become less dependent on her security object, although it may take a year or so. It's a good idea to have some spares in case the main one needs washing.nTeething And CryingnnYour baby's teeth will normally start to come through from about six months, so she'll dribble a lot and her gums will occasionally be sore. Your baby may become rather grumbly when she's teething, and it's usually quite obvious if she's uncomfortable, she'll want to chew a lot and may have a hot, red area on her check. However, it isn't a good idea always to blame persistent crying on teething, when in fact your baby may be bored, or even ill.nTroubleshootingnnThere are lots of reasons why an older baby may cry.nnShe's borednnYour baby may cry from boredom if left alone, unable to hear your voice and with nothing to look at or play with. You are her favorite playmate, so keep her where she can see you and you can talk to her, and don't leave her for long periods alone in her crib if she's crying. Some babies do play happily in their cribs for a while after waking, so leave toys and books with in reach.nnShe's frustratednnAs your baby grows, her desire to do things outstrips her ability to do them, and so she gets frustrated and often starts to cry as a result. She may also cry if you don't let her have something she wants. Change her toys frequently-her attention span is still short. Find time to play with her.nnShe's afraidnnAt about six months your baby will cry when she's separated from you, and she'll be nervous of other people, even when she knows them well. Right from the start, get her used to seeing you leave the room and come back in again. This way she'll gradually learn that she can trust you always to return to her. Make sure she meets lots of other people before she reaches this stage and learns that even if you leave her with some one else for a while, you always come back.nnShe's sick or has hurt herselfnnIf your baby hurts herself, you'll know at once from her cry, but it may be more difficult to tell when she's sick, for what you should do if your baby is ill or has an accident. nnn