Crying and Comforting

Babies cry because it is their main way of communicating their needs. Different types of cries mean different things. You will learn over time what these different cries mean and know what each baby is trying to tell you. The following are possible causes of crying:

Hunger

One of the main reasons babies cry is to let you know they are hungry. The frequency that babies need to eat will vary from child to child. As a general rule, the younger infants need to eat more often. The time may range from feeding every two hours to as long as four hours. Your pediatrician and child will help you determine how often your baby needs to eat. Infants need to eat more often when they are going through a growth spurt.

Suckling

Babies vary in their need to suck on objects. Using a pacifier or trying to help them find their hand or fingers to suck on can often comfort these infants. A pacifier will satisfy a baby for a short time and will not replace the need for food if the baby is hungry.

Pain

Babies have a different cry to communicate pain or discomfort. Look for the cause of the pain in order to comfort them. Some possible reasons may be diaper rash, the need to be burped or illness. Call your pediatrician to discuss symptoms if you think your child is ill.

Fatigue

When babies are tired or have trouble settling down to go to sleep, they will cry. Usually rocking or walking with infants or singing a song will help to calm them so they are able to sleep.

Overstimulation

Infants can become frightened or overstimulated by loud noises, bright lights, cold hands, too much bouncing, etc. Babies will usually communicate this to you by a sudden onset of crying. Babies normally will calm down once you remove the source of overstimulation.

Colic

Colic is a type of crying that can happen in very young infants. Colic differs from regular crying in several ways. There tends to be a pattern when the crying begins. The crying usually occurs late in the afternoon or evening and can last for one to four hours. There is little that seems to work to comfort the baby for any length of time. The crying tends to be more intense and can sound similar to a scream. It is not your fault if your baby is colicky. Your baby is not in pain even though he acts like it. The colic will probably go away by the age of four months.

Comforting Techniques

The best way to handle crying is to respond promptly whenever infants cry during the first few months. Babies will develop a sense of trust when you respond to their needs. When responding to the crying, meet the most pressing need first. If you have determined whether the child is hungry, wet, cold, or tired and these needs are met, you may try some of these other techniques:

• Rub the baby's back
• Rock the baby in a rocking chair
• Walk with the baby in your arms or in a stroller
• Sing to the baby
• Take the baby for a ride in a car
• Swaddling (wrap baby snugly in a receiving blanket)
• Lay the baby across your forearm (their stomach against your arm and their head by your elbow)
• Rhythmic noises (i.e. a fan, music)

We all have limits! Know yours! If a baby's crying is too much for you and you're certain the baby is not ill, gently lay the baby in a crib and walk away for a few minutes. If you are tense and frustrated, a baby will sense it. Call a friend, make a cup of coffee or take a few deep breaths. NEVER shake a baby. Infants have very weak neck muscles and their brains are not fully developed. When a baby is shaken, the head wobbles rapidly back and forth which can lead to brain damage, bleeding within the brain and even death.

The information was developed by The Family Conservancy from a variety of professional resources. This is not a standardized measurement tool.