Show After feeding and diapering duties, soothing your fussy infant can seem like it takes up the bulk of your day (and most of the night!). Crying and babies go hand in hand, of course, since kicking up a fuss is the only communication skill your newborn knows. Yet a baby’s cries can quickly overwhelm, especially when you can’t figure out why she’s so upset in the first place. And while crying is normal for newborns, as a first-time mom or dad, deciphering what “normal” actually means isn’t always obvious. The first step toward learning how to soothe a crying baby is to approach the task as calmly as possible, since getting worked up only compounds the stress for you both. To help your wee one settle down, here’s a look at some of the most common reasons babies cry and how to comfort your infant so you can both finally relax. Why is my baby crying?It’s the age-old question that parents have been asking since the beginning of time: Why the tears? To help you determine why your baby is crying, check out what could be behind it:
How can I determine if my baby’s fussiness is normal?Crying is completely normal for a baby. In fact, you can expect to hear two or three hours of fussing a day during the first six weeks of your baby’s life. So once you know that crying is just a part of being a baby, the next step is figuring out if the cries you hear are run-of-the-mill cues (hunger, fatigue, dirty diaper), and this takes some practice. Once you’ve nailed what each type of cry sounds like, you’ll know that the fussing you hear is likely normal. More intense wailing or screaming, however, may indicate an unusual level of crying that could be colic. If your child is crying excessively, discuss it with your pediatrician. She may need to be evaluated to make sure there isn’t a medical cause. If her pediatrician suspects colic, they can recommend what you can do to help. Crying that’s weak-sounding or comes across like soft whimpering could mean your baby is sick and can’t muster the strength to cry loudly. Call the pediatrician so you can describe your baby’s symptoms and learn how best to treat any illness she may have. The pediatrician may tell you to bring your child in for a checkup. Colic vs. “normal crying”The rule of threes is a good way to determine whether your baby might be suffering from colic. Babies who cry more than three hours a day for more than three days a week over the course of three weeks may have colic, which affects one in five babies. Ask your child's pediatrician if you're unsure whether or not her crying is considered excessive. Another sign of colic is crying that’s more like screaming and that usually occurs in the later afternoon or evening for hours at a time. Although there's no hard-and-fast definition of “normal crying,” it tends to be the type of tears that you understand and can quickly quell. For example, a rhythmic, low-pitched cry along with sucking or lip-smacking sounds could indicate hunger, while a whiny, continuous cry that grows increasingly louder might mean that your infant is tired or uncomfortable. How to soothe a fussy babyOnce you’ve ruled out the obvious reasons your baby could be crying (empty tummy, wet diaper, overdo nap) and your pediatrician doesn't think she’s sick, try these time-tested techniques to help clear the tears and make you both feel better.
What to do if you’re feeling frustrated by your baby’s cryingNo one can take endless tears, especially if you’re operating on too-little sleep due to middle-of-the-night feedings. Feeling frustrated by crying is normal, so ease the load by passing baby to your partner, mother, friend or sitter and then taking time for yourself. And no matter how frustrated you are, never, ever shake your baby. Vigorous shaking, such as that done in frustration, can result in abusive head trauma (AHT), commonly known as shaken baby syndrome (SBS), even if it's brief. Violent shaking in children of any age can cause severe brain damage or death, but infants and young toddlers are particularly susceptible. If you ever sense that you’re at a breaking point, put your baby in her crib (she’s perfectly safe there) and rest quietly in another room until you feel calm. Other strategies that may help, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), include taking a breath and counting to 10, calling a friend for emotional support or listening to calming music. If you're feeling overwhelmed and you think you need to talk with a professional about your feelings, call a crisis hotline, mental health organization or your healthcare provider right away. When to call the doctor about your baby’s cryingIf you’ve tried every trick in the book and you just can’t seem to figure out what’s causing all the tears, a call to your baby’s pediatrician is perfectly fine. Sometimes it helps to hear from a pro that you’re doing all the right things and just need to hang in there for a little while longer.
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