They just arrived home from the maternity ward: mom, dad, and the baby. Everything was going great until the baby seems to have changed! Where is that calm baby from the hospital? The baby may start getting more fussy than before and their behavior is not the same. The change in environment could be the reason for such behavior, but soothing the baby can be no easy task for first-time moms and dads. What does the baby want? How to calm the baby even after doing everything you could? Fed, changed the diaper, burped, gave a bath, but nothing helps. What’s wrong with this baby?
Have you ever thought about the change the baby just went through? After 9 months in a dark, snug, quiet, and warm environment, they come out into an immense, extremely bright, noisy, and sometimes cold space. The voices and noises around can be frightening, as can the temperature—everything changes when the baby is born. The reality they knew is gone, and now they have to learn to adapt to a completely new world. The stress they experience at birth would already be enough to make them cry and cry, so imagine not being able to communicate clearly with their parents about what they want at that moment? It’s like you were unable to use your voice and hands—how would you talk to others?
Why Does My Newborn Cry?
Understanding what the newborn wants is a learning process, but there are immediate ways to help and to calm the baby down. 3 steps are needed to handle some situations. Let’s see what they are:
Make sure everything that could bother the baby has been taken care of. So the first thing to check is hunger/thirst: Offer the breast and let the baby nurse as much as they want. In the first days, your milk may not have come in yet and it’s possible that colostrum alone isn’t enough to satisfy the baby’s hunger for very long, as it’s a liquid rich in nutrients and antibodies, but not in fat. Let the baby suckle (babies have a strong need to suck) as much as they want on demand, this will help the milk come in. Soothing the baby at the breast is a great strategy; besides feeding, they’ll feel the comfort of their mother’s arms, her scent, the beating of her heart…
Change the diaper: It could be that moisture is causing irritation or even a bit of poop. Remember, before, they didn’t use a diaper and adapting to this takes a few days.
Sleep: Put the baby in a calm environment. If the crying is due to tiredness, it will quickly be resolved with a good nap. Finally, check the clothing to see if it’s too tight or uncomfortable for the newborn. A good tip is to remove the clothing tags.
Cold/Heat: Also check if your baby is cold or hot. Usually, babies show signs of being cold or hot through their feet and hands. If they are very cold and blotchy red, they are likely cold. If they’re sweating, they’re clearly hot, so remove some clothing or add layers as needed.
Missing the uterine environment: The baby might be missing the place where they stayed for so long. To help, try to recreate a bit of what they felt in the womb. Swaddle the baby snugly to simulate the womb. If this doesn’t work, make a shushing sound similar to a kettle near the ear and gently rock them vertically. Doing these three things can really soothe the baby and, as a result, they’ll stop crying.
Just want company/There’s something wrong: Some babies just cry for no apparent reason. Even if you do everything to soothe them, there will still be a time when they cry. If you’ve done everything you can and they still keep crying, it’s time to consider the possibilities. Usually, pain crying is more shrill; if it sounds like screaming, it’s time to call the doctor. Colic is often the most common cause for this kind of crying and different behavior. The baby will move differently, stretching and flexing their legs and arms.
However, it’s good to remember that each baby reacts to birth in a different way. They may cry simply because it’s their way of saying: I’m here, are you going to leave me alone? Actually, they might just be wanting cuddles, or simply want to feel someone close to feel safe. The mother’s voice will comfort and soothe, as will a little time in arms. Sometimes, that’s all they need—just to be held.
See also: Is It Normal For A Baby To Sleep A Lot?
Photos: justinhenry, phinnsfotos
