Here
are the most common reasons babies cry. If your little one is wailing and you
don't know why, work your way down the list. Chances are you'll find something
that helps.
Learn
the most common reasons babies cry and how to soothe a crying baby.
1.
Hunger
This
is probably the first thing you think of when your baby cries.
Learning
to recognize the signs of hunger will help you start your baby's feedings
before the crying stage. Some signs to watch for in newborns: fussing, smacking
of lips, rooting (a newborn reflex that causes babies to turn their head toward
your hand when you stroke their cheek), and putting their hands to their mouth.
2. A dirty diaper
Some
babies let you know right away when they need to be changed. Others can
tolerate a dirty diaper for quite a while.
Either
way, this one is easy to check and simple to remedy.
3. Needs sleep
Aren't
babies lucky? When they're tired they can simply go to sleep – anytime,
anywhere. Or so adults like to think.
In
reality, it's harder for them than you might think. Instead of nodding off,
babies may fuss and cry, especially if they're overly tired.
We
thought our daughter was colicky for the first five weeks of life, until we
read about how babies get really cranky if they're exhausted. After we started
putting her to sleep as soon as she yawned the first time at any time of the
day, she cried a lot less and had fewer problems with gas.
—
Anonymous
I've
noticed that if my baby starts crying after being played with, fed, and
changed, and she's been up for a while, she is overtired! I just hold her
close, talk to her in a soft voice, and let her cry. She doesn't cry hard when
I hold her like that. She makes funny fussy noises with her eyes closed. Before
long, she's sound asleep.
—
Stefanie
A
loud shhhhhh sound works incredibly well. I had to make a recording because I
was getting lightheaded from doing it so much for my daughter. My recording
lasts for 48 minutes, and it works every time!
—
Rob
My
2 ½-month-old is so interested in everything that she doesn't want to stop
being part of it by falling asleep. Yet she's tired and cranky at the same
time. Minimizing sensory input sometimes helps her feel like she's not
"missing something" by settling down. (And then there are the times
when she's just going to cry no matter what I do.)
—
Anonymous
4. Wants to be held
Babies
need a lot of cuddling. They like to see their parents' faces, hear their
voices, and listen to their heartbeats, and can even detect their unique smell.
Crying can be their way of asking to be held close.
You
may wonder if you'll spoil your baby by holding him so much, but during the
first few months of life that isn't possible. To give your arms some relief,
try wearing your baby in a front carrier or sling.
I
like to lightly wrap my daughter in a soft blanket, hold her in a nursing
position and lightly stroke her face and head. She loves feeling my hands in
her hair and calms down pretty quickly.
—
Tiffany
My
son loves to hear my voice, so when he cries uncontrollably, I hold him close
to my chest and tell him that Mommy is here and will protect him. Within
minutes, he is sleeping in my arms!
—
Jey
5. Tummy troubles (gas,
colic, and more)
Tummy
troubles associated with gas or colic can lead to lots of crying. In fact, the
rather mysterious condition called colic is defined as inconsolable crying for
at least three hours a day, at least three days a week, at least three weeks in
a row.
If
your baby often fusses and cries right after being fed, he may be feeling some
sort of tummy pain. Many parents swear by over-the-counter anti-gas drops for
babies or gripe water (made from herbs and sodium bicarbonate). Get your
doctor's okay before using either of these.
6. Needs to burp
Burping
isn't mandatory. But if your baby cries after a feeding, a good burp may be all
he needs.
Babies
swallow air when they breastfeed or suck from a bottle, and if the air isn't
released it may cause some discomfort. Some babies are intensely bothered by
having air in their tummy, while others don't seem to burp or need to be burped
much at all.
My
little one often cries because he has a difficult time burping after a feed,
even with back rubbing and patting. What I found helps is some "tummy
time." He'll often let out a great big burp after a few minutes on his
tummy.
7. Too cold or too hot
When
your baby feels chilly, such as when you remove his clothes to change a diaper
or clean his bottom with a cold wipe, he may protest by crying.
Newborns
like to be bundled up and kept warm — but not too warm. As a rule, they’re
comfortable wearing one more layer than you need to be comfortable. Babies are
less likely to complain about being too warm than about being too cold, and
they won't cry about it as vigorously.
8. Something small
Babies
can be troubled by something as hard to spot as a hair wrapped tightly around a
tiny toe or finger, cutting off circulation. (Doctors call this painful
situation a "hair tourniquet," and it's one of the first things they
look for if a baby seems to be crying for no reason.)
Some
babies are extra sensitive to things like scratchy clothing tags or fabric.And
they can be very picky (understandably) about subtleties ranging from the
position they're held in to the bottle you offer.
9. Teething
Teething
can be painful as each new tooth pushes through tender young gums. Some babies
suffer more than others, but all are likely to be fussy and tearful at some
point along the way.
If
your baby seems to be in pain and you're not sure why, try feeling his gums
with your finger. You may be surprised to discover the hard nub of a baby tooth
on its way in.
On
average, the first tooth breaks through between 4 and 7 months, but it can happen
earlier. Find out more about teething and how to ease the pain.
10. Wants less
stimulation
Babies
learn from the stimulation of the world around them, but sometimes they have a
hard time processing it all — the lights, the noise, being passed from hand to
hand. Crying can be a baby's way of saying, "I've had enough."
Many
newborns enjoy being swaddled. It seems to make them feel more secure when the
world gets overwhelming. If your baby's too old for swaddling or doesn't like
it, try retreating to a serene spot and letting your baby vent for a while to
manage a meltdown.
Swaddling
is a huge help, especially to infants. Being tightly wrapped mimics being in
the womb and my daughter loved it.
11. Wants more
stimulation
A
"demanding" baby may be outgoing and eager to see the world. And
often the only way to stop the crying and fussing is to stay active. This can
be exhausting for you!
Try
"wearing" your baby in a sling, front carrier, or backpack. (Watch our video on baby carriers.) Plan
plenty of activities. Hang out with other parents with babies. Go on regular
outings to kid-friendly places, whether that's your local playground, a
children's museum, or the zoo.
12. Not feeling well
If
you've met your baby's basic needs and comforted him and he's still crying, he
could be coming down with something. You may want to check his temperature to
rule out a fever and be alert for other signs of illness.
The
cry of a sick baby tends to be distinct from one caused by hunger or
frustration. If your baby's crying "just doesn't sound right," trust
your instincts and call or see a doctor.
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