When it comes to crying, your little one has unparalleled strength and stamina, or so it seems. On any given day, a newborn might cry for up to two hours — on worse days, even longer.
So, what exactly ticks them off so much? What are the reasons babies cry? And what can you do to help them feel better? Find out all of this and a lot more in this article. Keep reading! 🙂
What do the tears mean?
When babies bawl, they are usually trying to tell you something. With time and a little practice, you might be able to tell one cry apart from another.
Who knows? Overtime, seeing just a little twitch of their thumb might spur you into action before the crying even begins. Till you are an expert we will hand-hold you through the world of baby ways and help you reach your destination quicker.
There really isn’t much that babies cry for. Keeping in mind these few things will help you soothe them better, quicker.
Here’s how to stop a baby from crying:
- Hunger – Babies usually want to be fed when they are crying. But crying is a late sign of hunger. A parent trained in the ways of babies will know to look out for sucking sounds, lip smacking, reaching for breasts, sucking fingers or fist when a baby starts getting hungry.
- Pacifier – Babies find sucking to be a comforting activity. If your baby is not hungry or has recently had a feeding session, try offering them a pacifier.
- Ready to hit bed – Babies need more hours of sleep than you might think. A newborn can sleep as much as 16 hours in a day!
- Diaper change – Imagine sitting in a puddle of your own pee or poo. The wetness of an overly full diaper is bound to irritate your little one.
Change diapers every three cycles of urine or after they poo. Check diapers frequently or tick it off your list completely with Snuggy, the best diapers for sensitive skin that are not only super- absorbent but also have a wetness indicator to let you know when a diaper change is needed. Poora Neela Toh Diaper Geela!
- Rocking – Gentle rocking or walking movements soothe babies. It makes them feel as if they’re still inside their mother’s womb, feeling the movements as the mother goes about her day.
- Need a swaddle – Some babies feel most secure when they are swaddled. This makes them feel like they are still inside the womb and soothes them.
- Hot or cold – Add or remove layers of clothing as per the weather.
- Overwhelmed – Your baby might be overwhelmed by their environment. Move to a calmer, quieter place. Play white noise, let them listen to your heartbeat or play monotonous sounds such as the whirring of a table fan that babies find calming.
Fussiness or colic?
Some babies do actually cry for no apparent reason. It might even seem like they are in pain.
These are frustrating periods of long, frequent and often intense crying known as colic. It starts a few weeks after birth, and usually goes away after your baby reaches three months of age.
It often happens for three or more hours a day, with the timing being predictable, typically at night. This might be why babies cry at night, too if you have been wondering.
The baby is often at their healthiest. But, if you’re still concerned, talk to your baby’s doctor. They can do additional checks and recommend ways of soothing the baby.
Step Back for a Few Minutes
If you’ve tried everything, and the baby is still upset, it’s OK to let your baby cry. Lay them down in a comfortable position safely and go away.
Dealing with a crying baby can get frustrating sometimes, take a walk, make a cup of tea for yourself, talk to friends or a family member, or reach out to a mental health care provider. It will be easier to soothe a crying baby when you yourself are relaxed.
Reach out to your trusted, loved ones for help and remember that this is temporary. Crying spells often decrease once your baby reaches past eight weeks of age. It is never a good idea to deal with a crying baby when you are not in control.