5 Main And Important Reasons For A Baby’s Crying

According to SAEDNEWS, while parents gradually learn what their baby’s cries mean during growth, it is still difficult to understand why a child cries between 0 to 3 months of age. So why is your newborn crying and how can you help calm them?

In this article, we have compiled the 5 main and common reasons for a newborn baby’s crying and how to meet the baby’s needs.

First reason for baby crying; hunger or overfeeding

Hunger is one of the most common reasons for a child’s crying. To know if the baby is hungry, look for signs of hunger in them. Signs such as:

• Putting hands on the mouth

• Turning the head toward the breast or bottle

• Clenching hands

• Touching or licking lips

• Opening the mouth

If you suspect your baby is hungry, it is time to feed them! Newborns usually feed every 1 to 3 hours (8 to 12 times per day) and consume about 60 to 85 grams of breast milk or formula per feeding. As the baby grows, the time between feedings usually becomes longer.

Sometimes babies also cry due to overfeeding. Too much milk causes bloating, which can be temporarily uncomfortable for the baby. If you know your baby is full but still crying, look for signs of fullness.

If you observe the following signs, stop feeding your baby:

• They close their mouths

• They turn away from the breast or bottle

• Their hands relax

• They start falling asleep

Remember to burp your baby after feeding to help digestion and release gas.

Second reason for baby crying; tiredness

Another very common reason for a baby’s crying is that they are tired. Being so tiny and cute can be tiring!

Newborns need about 17 hours of sleep per day, which means they often become tired. Since they cannot do much on their own, their brain and body are rapidly developing, which can exhaust them.

If you suspect your baby is tired, help them fall asleep. Here are some tips to help them get the sleep they need:

Always follow safe sleep practices regardless of time or duration of sleep.

Swaddle the baby or use a swaddle alternative.

Try to implement a nap routine to ensure they get all the sleep they need.

These tips are effective in calming and putting a crying baby to sleep.

Third reason for baby crying; dirty diaper

Having a dirty diaper is very common for babies. The feeling of a dirty diaper on their skin can be irritating and uncomfortable, which may lead to crying.

Change the diaper as soon as possible, especially if there is stool in it, as it can be very irritating. Usually, parents can detect by smell whether there is stool in the diaper. Typically, newborns need a diaper change every 2 to 3 hours.

There may be an indicator strip at the front or back of diapers for smaller babies that turns blue when the baby urinates. This strip can help parents know when the diaper needs to be changed.

Fourth reason for baby crying; internal temperature

If the baby is too hot or too cold, they may become uncomfortable and try to communicate this through crying. This can happen if the baby is swaddled in a thick blanket or wearing a coat in a car seat. In a car seat, the baby should wear a jacket different from a heavy winter coat:

A jacket that is not too bulky and does not cause overheating. You can also remove the jacket and place it on the baby after placing them in the car seat.

Make sure the baby sleeps in a cool environment and is properly covered. Also, the baby should stay in the shade when outside.

Fifth reason for baby crying; pain

Sometimes babies develop infections or conditions that can cause discomfort and lead to crying. Conditions such as ear pain, teething, or skin irritation and wounds caused by diapers can cause pain. Many of these conditions can be treated by a medical professional. If you suspect your baby is in pain or has an infection, you should consult a healthcare professional.

However, there are many other reasons for crying that are not included above. Some of these are:

Overstimulation: Stimulation helps babies learn and experience new things, but too much stimulation can be overwhelming and lead to crying and fussiness. Too many unfamiliar sights and sounds or too much time spent in a new sensory experience can be stimulating factors.

Desire for attention or interaction: If the baby wants to play or has not used enough energy between sleep periods, they may cry.

Attachment: If the baby feels anxious or scared and cannot find you, they may cry (even if you are just a few steps away!). Sometimes they are seeking you to meet one of their basic needs such as diaper change or feeding.

These reasons for crying are usually temporary and can be addressed directly. It is completely natural for parents to feel stress and frustration when a baby cries. Crying can have many causes, and over time you will understand the reasons behind your baby’s cries. Pediatric specialists and counselors can always help you in this process.