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| Coping With Crying Crying is the main way your baby has to communicate with you when they need something. Gradually it will become easier for you to work out what they are telling you, but in the meantime, here are some ideas that may help. All babies cry All babies cry, and some cry a lot. Babies cry most in the first year of life, and most of all in the first three months. This is also the time when you are most unsure of your skills as a new parent, and it's easy to worry that you're doing something wrong if your baby cries. Even normal, average, healthy newborns may cry for somewhere between one and three hours a day. They have to. It is the main way of communicating their needs. Some babies cry when they're being undressed, when any of their senses are over-stimulated (such as bright lights or loud noises) or if tickled, rocked or talked to when they're tired, grumpy or impatient for a feed. Babies do not cry because they're spoilt. They cry because they need something. When your baby cries, it might be because they're: Hungry Before your baby was born, they did not know hunger. Every single nutritional need was met before they felt it. Now, for the first time, they feel an empty stomach. No wonder they cry! Too hot or too cold It can help to check that your baby isn't waking from sleep simply because they're too cold (if their cot is against an outside wall, it may get chilly in the winter) or too hot (if they're next to an airing cupboard and the water heater stays on all night). A room thermometer wil help guide you in this, the ideal temperature for your baby's bedroom is around 18 degrees C. Use blankets in the cot, so you can add or remove layers as necessary. Do not use a cuvet, quilt or pillow before your baby is at least a year old. Uncomfortable Like all of us, a baby will protest if his clothes are too tight, or if a wet or solid nappy is making him uncomfortable. Tired Babies will often cry because they need sleep. If your baby is crying because they're over-stimulated and needs a rest, then all that singing, talking and jigging about may be keeping him awake when he needs to sleep. Bored A baby can be lonely, fed up and in need of a bit of entertainment, just like you and me. This doesn't mean that they're demanding or attention seeking but is as much in need of a bit of socialising as you would be if you were tucked up for most of the day in a cot. Reassurance Some babies need a great deal of reassurance. Adults can be comforted by soothing words. For babies, words and sight are often enough not enough and they need the safey of close physical contact. Hold your baby if that is what they need. Unwell If there are other signs that he may be ill, such as a rash or a high temperature, then always ask your GP to check your baby. When the crying gets too much If you feel so desperate and angry that you think you may shake or harm your baby, put them down in the cot or pram staright away. Make sure they're safe, clsoe the door and go into another room. Let yourself calm down. Give yourself perhaps ten minutes before you go back in. Even with help, there may be times when the strain of living with a crying baby gets to you. You may feel and think that you can't take any more. Don't be ashamed to ask for help, there may be groups on in your local area where you ask mothers who have had crying babies themselves and know just what you're going through. Swaddling Many babies are soothed by being wrapped closely, this wrapping is called swaddling. It is a tried and tested method for soothing newborns. It can help a baby settle by making him feel safe and secure. Use thin material rather than a blanket so that your baby doesn't get too hot and keep his head covered. Once babies are about a month old, they don't like being bundled up so much and will probably kick off the covers. Don't put a swaddled baby asleep in a cot or your bed. |
