Dictionary For Dads

Why do babies cry:

Simply put babies cry because they cannot talk. Babies are human beings, and they have needs and desires, just as we do, but they can’t express them any other way but crying. Even if they could talk, they wouldn’t understand why they feel the way they do or understand themselves well enough to articulate their needs. Therefore, babies need someone to help them figure it all out that is why they are crying. Their cries are the only way they can say, “Help me! Something isn’t right here!” This could be a teething issue, a diaper issue or something more serious.

Different kinds of cries:

As you get to know your baby, you’ll become the expert in understanding his/her cries in a way that no one else can. In their research, child development professionals have determined that certain types of cries mean certain things. In other words, babies don’t cry the same exact way every time.

Recognizing A Babies Cries:

Over time, you’ll recognize particular cries as if they were spoken words. In addition to these cry signals, you often can determine why your baby is crying by the situation surrounding the cry. Following are common reasons for Baby’s cry, and the clues that may tell you what’s up.

Hunger:

If three or four hours have passed since his last feeding, if he has just woken up, or if he has just had a very full diaper and he begins to cry, they probably are hungry. A feeding will most likely stop the crying.

Tiredness:

Look for these signs: decreased activity, losing interest in people and toys, rubbing eyes, looking glazed, and the most obvious is yawning. If you notice any of these in your crying baby, they may just need to sleep.

Discomfort:

If a baby is uncomfortable, too wet, hot, cold, or squished they typically squirm or arch their back when they cry, as if trying to get away from the source of his discomfort. Try to figure out the source of his distress and solve his problem.

Pain:

A cry of pain is sudden and shrill, just like when an adult or older child cries out when they get hurt. It may include long cries followed by a pause during which your baby appears to stop breathing. They then catch their breath and lets out another long cry. Time to check your baby’s temperature and undress them for a full-body examination.

Over-stimulation:

If the room is noisy, people are trying to get the baby’s attention, rattles are rattling, music boxes are playing, and the baby suddenly closes their eyes and cries (or turns their head away), they may be trying to shut out all that’s going on around them and find some peace. It’s time for a quiet, dark room and some peaceful cuddles.

Illness:

When your baby is sick, they may cry in a weak, moaning way. This is their way of saying, “I feel awful.” If your baby seems ill, look for any signs of sickness, take their temperature and call your health care provider.

Frustration:

The baby is just learning how to control their hands, arms, and feet. They may be trying to get their fingers into their mouth or to reach a particularly interesting toy, but their body isn’t cooperating. They will cry out of frustration, because they can’t accomplish what they want to do. All they often need is a little help.

Loneliness:

If the baby falls asleep feeding and you place them in her crib, but they wakes soon afterward with a cry, they may be saying that they miss the warmth of your embrace and doesn’t like to be alone. A simple situation to resolve…

Worry or fear:

The baby suddenly finds themselves in the arms of a relative or friend and can’t visually see you; his previously happy gurgles turn suddenly to crying. He’s trying to tell you that he’s scared: He doesn’t know this new person, and he wants Daddy. Try letting the two of them get to know each other while Baby stays in your arms.

Boredom:

The baby has been sitting in their infant seat for twenty minutes while you talk and eat lunch with your brother. Their not tired, hungry or uncomfortable, but they start a whiny, fussy cry. They may be saying that their bored and needs something new to look at or touch. A new position for his seat or a toy to hold may help.

There are plenty of times when you can’t tell if your baby’s crying is directly related to a fixable situation: hunger, a soiled diaper, or a longing to be held. That’s when parents get frustrated and nervous. That’s when you should take a deep breath and try some of the following cry-stoppers:

• Hold your baby. No matter the reason for your baby’s cry, being held by a warm and comforting person offers a feeling of security and may calm his crying. Babies love to be held in arms, slings, front-pack carriers, and (when they get a little older) backpacks; physical contact is what they seek and what usually soothes them best.

• Provide motion. Babies enjoy repetitive, rhythmic motion such as rocking, swinging, swaying, jiggling, and dancing or a drive in the car. Many parents instinctively begin to sway with a fussy baby, and for a good reason: It works.

• Turn on some white noise. The womb was a very noisy place. Remember the sounds you heard on the Doppler stethoscope? Not so long ago, your baby heard those 24 hours a day. Therefore, your baby sometimes can be calmed by “white noise” ¾ that is, noise that is continuous and uniform, such as that of a heartbeat, the rain, static between radio stations, and your vacuum cleaner. Some alarm clocks even have a white noise function.

• Let music soothe your baby. Soft, peaceful music is a wonderful baby calmer. That’s why lullabies have been passed down through the ages. You don’t have to be a professional singer to provide your baby with a song; your baby loves to hear your voice. In addition to your own songs, babies usually love to hear any kind of music. Experiment with different types of tunes, since babies have their own favorites that can range from jazz to country to classical and even rock and rap.

• Swaddle your baby. During the first three or four months of life, many babies feel comforted if you can re-create the tightly contained sensation they enjoyed in the womb..

•  Massage your baby. Babies love to be touched and stroked, so a massage is a wonderful way to calm a fussy baby. A variation of massage is the baby pat; many babies love a gentle, rhythmic pat on their backs or bottoms.

• Give your baby have something to suck on. The most natural pacifier is mother’s breast, but when that isn’t an option, a bottle, pacifier, Baby’s own fingers, a teething toy, or Daddy’s pinkie can work wonders as a means of comfort.

• Try and Distract your baby. Sometimes a new activity or change of scenery, a walk outside, or a dance with a song, or a splashy bath ¾ can be very helpful in turning a fussy baby into a happy one.

• Never Shake or Rattle a Baby For Any Reason. This can cause severe damage and death to a baby.

• If baby likes a pacifier, offer him one.

• Invest in a baby sling or carrier and use it during colicky periods.

• If the weather’s too unpleasant for an outside stroll, bring your stroller in the house and walk your baby around.

• Give your baby a warm bath.

• Hold your baby with her legs curled up toward her belly.

• Massage your baby’s tummy, or give him a full massage.

• Swaddle your baby in a warm blanket.

• Lay your baby tummy down across your lap and massage or pat her back.

• Hold your baby in a rocking chair

• Try keeping your baby away from highly stimulating situations during the day when possible to prevent sensory overload.

• Lie on your back and lay your baby on top of your tummy down while

• Take the Baby for a ride in the car make sure to use proper safety seats for the baby.

• Play soothing music or turn on white noise such as a vacuum cleaner or running water.As a last resort, ask your doctor or health care provider about medications available for colic and gas.

Begin to observe your baby’s body language. This will take time but you can avoid some crying altogether by responding right away to your baby’s earliest signals of need, such as fussing, stiffening their body, or rooting for your wife's breast. As you get to know your baby and learn his/her signals, determining what she needs will become easier for you to identify even before she/he cries.

• If your baby cries while you are feeding offer more frequent but smaller meals; experiment with different formulas with your doctor or health care provider’s approval.

• When bottle feeding, try different types of bottles and nipples that prevent air from entering your baby as he drinks, such as those with curved bottles or collapsible liners.

• Hold your baby in a more upright position for feeding and directly afterward.

• Experiment with how often and when you burp your baby.

• Offer meals in a quiet setting.

If your baby cries inconsolably for long periods every day, particularly at the same time each day, he may have colic. Researchers are still unsure of colic’s exact cause. Some experts believe that colic is related to the immaturity of a baby’s digestive system. Whatever the cause, and it may be a combination of all the theories; colic is among the most exasperating conditions that parents of new babies face. Colic occurs only to newborn babies, up to about four to five months of age.

Portions of this article written by Elizabeth Pantley.