The main form of communication for babies in the first stage of life is crying. And contrary to what many people think, a crying baby is not always associated with pain or hunger. There are some situations where even the most experienced parents cannot figure out why their little one is crying so much.
Extremely healthy babies can cry a total of 1 to 3 hours a day—that’s a lot, isn’t it? And even with a full tummy and a clean diaper, without pain and without diaper rash, they still keep crying. What’s going on? You pick them up, sing, talk, and they still keep crying. Crying is the way babies communicate to say that something bothers them or that they want something, and it’s the parents’ task to figure out the reason. In the first few days, it’s almost impossible to identify what causes so many tears, but believe me, after the first month, a simple whimper and you’ll know why.
At first, it can be quite distressing to see your baby crying, trying to soothe them or find out if something is hurting, and nothing seems to work. Believe me, 98% of mothers go through this in the beginning. As the months go by, they will learn and develop ways of communicating, many of which are unique and only parents and closest family members will understand what they mean, which will decrease the crying spells. But until then, take a deep breath, keep calm, and during your baby’s crying crisis, rely on your motherly intuition, affection, a lot of patience, and try to comfort them. Know that mom’s anxiety can be passed on to the baby, making them even more restless and extending the crying even longer.
Crying Baby – What Are the Main Causes?
One of the main reasons for a baby’s constant crying is hunger. Since they don’t know how to ask or complain that their little tummies are rumbling, they cry until someone solves their problem. Since their stomachs are very tiny and can’t hold much food (milk), they need to feed several times a day. But this reason is easy to identify, since they usually suck on their hands or try to suck on something close to them. When you notice these signs, try not to delay feeding them or they’ll get even more upset. Even when nursing, it may take a while for them to calm down.
The second reason among the main causes of babies’ crying fits is a dirty diaper. Some don’t mind having a full diaper, but most do. If you see a baby crying a lot and they’ve already eaten, the next step is to check the diaper. Remember, if you leave a baby in a dirty diaper for too long, it can cause terrible, painful rashes that will turn into lots of crying—and this time, with a reason: pain. Better to avoid it, right?
The third cause—which in my view is the biggest reason for babies crying so much—is sleepiness. Babies and children tend to get cranky and fussy when they’re tired and end up crying for no apparent reason! To avoid your baby crying in this situation, regulate naps and sleeping times and don’t let them be skipped, so your baby will avoid getting nervous, stressed, or irritated—and keep you from being in the same situation with all the crying.
The fourth reason, often reported by parents, is tummy aches or colic in babies. This is pretty common in the first three months of life, since their digestive systems are still very immature. The causes can be the mother’s diet passing through breast milk, the formula being used, or simply the immature stomach. Another cause of tummy aches is reflux, when the milk constantly goes up and down, which can cause abdominal discomfort. Usually, babies turn red, strain, and cry nonstop when they have tummy pain.
The fifth cause of a crying baby is sensitivity to heat or cold. Some get very uncomfortable when their clothes are removed, while others react to being overdressed. Since they cannot express what they feel, they cry. So, it’s best for moms to pay attention to the weather and not overdo the baby’s clothes. Some people think babies feel colder than adults, but that’s not true—their temperature is the same as ours. The best way to check a baby’s temperature is by feeling their tummy: if it’s cold, they’re cold; if it’s warm and sweaty, they’re hot and an item of clothing can be removed.
Of course, there are many other reasons and causes for a baby to cry uncontrollably, but these five are the most common daily reasons. Teething is another reason that causes lots of irritability and a real show of tears. Being fussy and wanting to be held is another reason—in some cases, just picking up the baby makes everything magically better. It’s also worth paying attention to small details, like uncomfortable clothing! Since babies are very sensitive, a slightly tight elastic or a bothersome button can be enough to make a baby cry for hours. So, it’s always a good idea to carefully check your baby, opening the diaper and all the clothing to see if something might be causing discomfort.
After checking all these things and your baby is still crying, try giving them a warm bath to soothe them. A gentle massage with appropriate baby oil is also a way to relax them, known as shantala. After these steps, try rocking them lovingly and with a bit of luck, they’ll fall asleep peacefully. It’s worth repeating: the calmness of the mother or father makes all the difference in soothing the baby. Take a deep breath and use all your tricks!
See also: Baby Colic – How to Deal with It
Photos: Rodrigo Denúbila, Critical Moss
