Why is May Baby Crying?

In the middle of the night when you’re tired, drowsy, and just plain worn out the sound of a newborn baby crying is the last thing in the world that you want to hear. But when we signed up for parenthood we also signed up for late nights without sleep, poopy diapers, vomiting, worry, and fear that something is wrong with the newest member of our family. It’s hard to figure the exact reason an infant is crying. Are they hungry? Does their little tummy hurt? Is the little diaper full of something very large and messy? Or are they over tired and just can’t get to sleep? All of these are good questions. A cry is the only form of communication a newborn has with the outside world. And the tears and screams emanating from the future of our family are a signal that even the best parent in the world can misinterpret. The baby needs something. It our job as parents to figure out just what our newborn baby needs and to figure out what they are asking for. With newborns we don’t have to worry that they are somehow training us to get their own way. The cry is not a manipulation device. It is a genuine call that something is needed. Something is not quite right in their little world. And something needs to be done. Immediately. First things first. Check the diaper. Very picky babies will let you know very quickly that they are wearing something they’d rather not be wearing. Other babies don’t seem to mind sitting in a messy diaper and may not give the cry sign very early. But if there is a mess it will becomes uncomfortable. When was the last time they ate? When a baby wakes up crying one of the most common reasons is hunger. The baby will not stop crying until they are full and content. Mother’s milk is a one of the ways to soothe a crying baby. If your baby is crying after feeding it may be gas. Even if the baby has already been burped it may be a good idea to try to get another belch out of your sweet little girl. One other reason for a baby crying after eating is that she may not be getting enough. Babies love to be hugged and held closely. It gives them a feeling of security and well being. Holding a baby close or gently rocking goes a long way to soothing a crying baby. Holding the baby on your chest is an especially good way to calm a crying baby. The feeling of closeness, warmth, the sound of your heartbeat, and of your breathing is a great tool. It’s not only good for the baby but for mom and dad also. Babies are born with the instinct to suck. They may not be hungry, they may just want to suck. Giving a baby a pacifier or helping a baby put her thumb in her mouth may be just the ticket to soothe and calm. Checklist for Soothing a Crying BabyrnCheck the baby’s diaper and change as needed.rnSee if the baby is hungry. If not see if she wants her thumb or a binky. Hold the baby and gently rock. Humming sometimes is very soothing. But only if you can carry a tune. Wrap the baby in a blanket. Babies love to be swaddled. Get a recording with soothing background noises and play. A favorite of lots of mothers is a teddy bear that emanates heartbeat and womb sounds when turned on. Make sure the room is dark. If other children are making a lot of noise cam them down. Check your baby’s temperature. She may not feel good.