Newborns usually spend 2 to 3 hours a day crying. Normal as it may be, a bawling baby can be distressing for infants and parents alike. Babies sometimes wail for no obvious reason. But other times, they’re trying to tell you something with their tears.
Reasons for Crying
With a bit of common sense and sleuthing, you may be able to figure out how to comfort your baby.
Hunger
During the first 3 months of their lives, newborns tend to feed as often as every couple of hours. When they want to feed, they usually make short, low-pitched cries that rise and fall.
How to soothe. Offer your breast or the bottle to see if it helps. Even if they’re not hungry, your infant may just want to suck on something for comfort. You can use a pacifier or have your baby suck on their own finger or thumb.
Fatigue
Unlike most adults, babies who are overworked or tired often turn fussy instead of drifting off to sleep.
How to soothe. One of the best ways to encourage slumber is to swaddle your baby. Wrap them snugly in a blanket with only the head and neck peeking out. It helps mimic the mother’s womb. A change of scenery also may do the trick. Go for a walk with a stroller. Or pack your baby in a car seat: the lulling vibration may get them to drift off. Soothing music and aromatherapy can also help. Create a “sleep play-list” and choose a scent (e.g. Lavender) for your baby and use it only at sleep times.
Allergies
A nursing mother may pass on what she eats through breast milk. That may upset a baby’s tummy. If it happens a lot, your infant may be allergic or sensitive to cow’s milk, nuts, wheat, or other foods.
How to soothe. If you suspect an allergy, talk to your pediatrician. If you’re breastfeeding, your doctor may suggest you stop eating a single food (for example, milk or eggs) and keep off that food for a week to see if your baby’s fussiness lessens. If you’re using infant formula, ask your doctor about switching to a different formula.
Reflux
Crying right after a feeding could be a sign of gastro esophageal reflux, also called heartburn. But first, if your baby is bottled-fed, make sure that the discomfort isn’t just from swallowed air.
How to soothe. Take breaks and burp your baby often during meals. Feed them while they’re sitting up. You might try special nipples and bottles designed to prevent swallowing too much air. If that doesn’t help, reflux may be the culprit. Talk to your pediatrician. About 80% of the time, babies with mild reflux get better with thickened formula, staying away from cigarette smoke, and avoiding cow’s milk passed through their mothers.
Colic
About one in five newborns get this condition, which is marked by more than 3 hours of crying a day, three times a week. It usually happens during the first month after birth. These sudden crying sessions may be louder and higher-pitched than usual. Your baby’s face might redden, their belly may bulge, and their legs may be bunched up.
How to soothe. It’s not clear what causes colic, but it usually stops on its own by 3 or 4 months. Until then, you might:
- Rock or walk with your baby.
- Use “womb sounds” to lull them to sleep (washing machine noise is great for this, or download a womb sound on your media player).
- Offer a pacifier.
- Ask your doctor if extracts of fennel, chamomile, or other herbal remedies might help.
- Take breaks for yourself so you can best care for your baby.
If your baby continues to cry for a long time, check with your doctor to make sure there isn’t something serious going on.
Sleep Habits
By 6 months, children should be able to fall and stay asleep on their own. But sometimes they might not want to go to bed without you.
How to soothe. Don’t feel guilty for ignoring your baby’s wail. Research shows that slowly letting your child cry out for longer and longer stretches of time before you check on them helps them learn to go to sleep faster and stay asleep longer than other methods.
When to Call Your Doctor
Call your pediatrician right away if your crying baby:
- Has been inconsolable for more than two hours
- Has a temperature of more than 38C(100.4 F)
- Won’t eat or drink anything and/or is vomiting
- Has vomiting and diarrhea
IF YOU EVER FEEL YOURSELF LOSING YOUR TEMPER TO THE POINT THAT YOU MIGHT HARM A BABY….WALK AWAY.
It is far better to leave a baby cry while you gather control of your emotions, than to hurt your baby. (Yes…chronic sleep deprivation along with a crying baby can really cause emotions to get out of control).
Kim Patra is a qualified Midwife & Nurse Practioner who has been living and working in Bali for over 30 years. She now runs her own Private Practice & Mothers & Babies center at her Community Health Care office in Sanur.
Kim is happy to discuss any health concerns that you have and may be contacted via email at balikim2000@gmail.com, or office phone 085105-775666 or https://www.facebook.com/CHCBali
Copyright © 2019 Kim Patra
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