Mental Health
Healthy Living
All About Infant Crying
All About Infant CryingWhen your baby cries, they are trying to tell you something. Crying is how a baby communicates. They maybe: Hungry; Tired; Hot; Cold; Sick; Or just uncomfortable.Babies often cry for 2 to 3 hours every day in the first 3 to 4 months of life. And some babies cry more thanthis. You may notice your baby cries more often around 4 to 6 weeks of age. All babies are different. As longas your baby is content in between periods of crying, the behavior is usually normal.But trying to comfort a crying baby can be stressful. The good news is: Consistently responding to your child’scrying with love and comfort strengthens your bond.And over time you’ll learn what your baby needs when they cry. You may even be able to tell what they needby how they cry.As you and your baby get to know each other, try these tips to comfort your crying baby:Respond quickly and lovingly. Addressing your baby’s needs right away will help them better cope with stresswhen they’re older. Remember, it’s impossible to spoil a newborn baby.Start with the basics. For instance, check if your baby is hungry, has a wet diaper, or may be cold or tired. Ormaybe they need to be burped.Console your baby. Hold them. Sing or talk to them. Or try playing music.Change the environment. Babies can become overstimulated or even bored. Taking your child for a walk,going for a car ride, or giving them a bath may soothe them.If you have trouble calming your baby, or if you feel frustrated trying to, ask for help. Sometimes babiesrespond to a change in caregiver. It doesn’t mean you are doing a bad job.And no matter how much your baby cries or how frustrated you feel, never shake or hit your baby. It can causeserious injury, including brain damage. If you need a break, set your baby down in a safe place and walk awayfor a couple minutes.Sometimes a baby can cry a lot more than normal, and for what seems like no reason at all. This excessivecrying is called colic. Babies with colic tend to have sudden, loud, and intense bouts of crying that last 3 ormore hours a day. They are often hard to soothe.Although this can be very frustrating, it doesn’t mean that anything is wrong. And it usually ends by the time ababy is 3 to 4 months old. If you are concerned about your baby’s crying, talk with your child’s healthcareprovider.Remember that crying is normal. It will be a main part of your baby’s behavior until they are old enough tocommunicate in other ways. So be patient with yourself and your baby.© 2023 WebMD IgniteThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.© The Wellness Network
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