Buzz
Newborns communicate in their early life through crying. Your baby will cry frequently during the first three months after birth. They cry when they want to be held, fed, or feel uncomfortable or in pain. They also cry when overstimulated, bored, tired, or upset. As your baby grows, their cries will convey more information: after three months, your baby will cry in different ways for different needs. Some scientists believe that distinct sounds in crying represent different needs, even in newborns. Even if you're unsure what a cry means, always respond when your baby cries. Quick responses are essential for their development.
Steps
Understanding Common Cries
Recognize the "hungry cry." When a baby wants to eat, their cry usually starts soft and slow. It gradually becomes louder and more rhythmic. The cry is whiny, with short, gentle bursts. A hungry cry is a signal to feed your baby, unless you've just fed them and are certain they don't want more.
Recognize the "pain cry." A baby in pain often starts crying suddenly. The cry is sharp and piercing, with loud, short, and intense bursts. This type of cry signals urgency! If you hear a pain cry, respond immediately. Check for an unfastened diaper pin or a trapped finger. If nothing is found, try soothing the baby. The pain might pass, and the baby will need comfort.
- If the baby arches their back and has stomach pain, the cry might be due to gas. Soothe the baby and keep their back straight while feeding to reduce gas.
- If the baby's eyes are red, swollen, or scratched, call a doctor. The baby might have an eyelash or debris causing discomfort.
- If the crying persists, the baby might be sick or injured. Call a doctor if the baby cries more when held or rocked, especially if they have a fever. For infants under three months with a fever of 38°C, contact a doctor immediately.
Understand the whining cry. This cry is usually soft, intermittent, and varies in volume. It often gets louder if ignored, so don’t hesitate to comfort the baby. A whining cry might indicate discomfort or simply a desire to be held. Babies often fuss at specific times, like late afternoon or early evening.
- Babies cry to be held because they’re used to confined spaces.
- Check the diaper if the baby is fussy. A whining cry might mean a wet or dirty diaper.
- Check the baby’s temperature. They might be too hot or cold.
- A whining cry could mean discomfort or trouble sleeping.
- It might also indicate overstimulation or boredom. Adjust lighting, music, or the baby’s position.
- Don’t worry if a newborn keeps crying despite soothing. Some babies fuss a lot in their first three months.
Understanding Prolonged Crying
Recognize normal prolonged crying. Even after checking for hunger, pain, or discomfort and soothing the baby, they might still cry. Sometimes, babies just want to cry, especially in the first three months. Normal prolonged crying sounds like regular whining. The baby might be overstimulated or have excess energy.
- A helpful resource for understanding normal prolonged crying is the Period of PURPLE Crying (https://dontshake.org/purple-crying). This program provides materials to understand healthy infant crying patterns.
- Normal prolonged crying can last up to five hours a day.
Identify colic crying. A colicky baby cries intensely without an obvious reason. The cry sounds painful and is often piercing, similar to a pain cry. The baby might show signs of stress, like clenched fists, curled legs, and a tight stomach. They might pass gas or have a bowel movement after a colic episode.
- Colic crying lasts at least three hours a day, more than three days a week, for at least three weeks.
- Unlike normal prolonged crying, colic often occurs at a specific time of day, close to usual fussy periods.
- Keep a record of crying episodes and durations if the baby cries excessively. Consult a doctor if unsure about colic.
- The cause of colic is unknown, and there’s no cure. Soothe the baby and keep their back straight while feeding to reduce gas.
- Colic usually resolves by three to four months of age and doesn’t harm the baby’s long-term health or development.
Identify abnormal crying. Certain types of crying can indicate something serious. Abnormal crying is extremely shrill, up to three times louder than normal crying. Alternatively, the sound might be unusually faint. Prolonged loud or soft crying could signal a severe illness. If your baby’s crying seems unusual, contact a doctor immediately.
- If your baby has been dropped or hit and is crying abnormally, seek medical attention right away.
- Take your baby to the doctor if their crying is unusual and they’re moving or eating less than usual.
- Call a doctor if you notice abnormal breathing, such as rapid or labored breaths, or unusual movements.
- Seek emergency help if your baby’s face turns pale, especially around the mouth.
Tips
- If your baby cries excessively and you feel overwhelmed or overly tired, ask friends or family for help so you can rest.
Warnings
- Speak to a doctor if you fear you might harm your baby or have thoughts of doing so.
