Causes of crying in newborns

Newborns cry for a number of reasons, mostly hunger in the early days. As you get to know him, you'll be able to decipher his needs.

Crying due to hunger

• Feed on demand. Don't be inflexible about feeding times, and never feed by the clock. Remember, she's very young; she may want feeding every two or three hours and a feed given 15-30 minutes earlier than expected will do your baby no harm at all.
• If your baby seems only to want to suck give her cooled boiled water as a drink between feeds (from a sterilized spoon).
• Give your baby a dummy to suck; hold it in the baby's mouth if necessary. You could also use a clean finger.

Crying due to lack of contact

• Pick your baby up as soon as she cries.
• Carry your baby around with you in a sling or a shawl so that she can hear and feel your heart beat.
• Rock your baby until you get tired then hand her over to your partner until the baby's calm again.
• Wrap your baby tightly. The texture of the cloth should be warm and fluffy - cool fabrics are far less effective.
• Lay your baby across your lap, tummy downwards, and massage her back and her arms and legs.
• Lay your baby across a warm hot-water bottle on your lap or on a bed.

Due to change of temperature

• Make sure your baby's room is at the desired temperature.
• Feel the back of your baby's neck to test whether she's too hot or too cold (if it feels sweaty, for example, she's too hot). Either add another layer of clothing if she's too cold or take a layer off if she feels too hot.
• Check your baby's nappy to see if it's wet or dirty; change it if necessary.

Due to undressing

• Keep undressing to a minimum in the early weeks. Try topping and tailing your baby, so that you only have to undress her a little at a time.
• Whenever you have to undress your baby fully, lay a towel across her body - the contact with the fabric will help her.
• Talk soothingly and reassuringly and try to get the undressing over quickly.

Due to pain

• Go to your baby immediately. Hold your baby close to you, cuddle and talk soothingly to her.
• Always remove the source of pain if it's easily discernible.
• Stay with your baby until she's completely calmed down.
• If no amount of comforting on your part works, and your baby seems ill, seek medical advice.

Due to violent or sudden stimulation

• Hold your baby close to you and use the general pacifying methods of contact, movement and sound.
• Avoid moving your baby in such a sudden way next time.
• Avoid sudden stimulation with bright lights, loud noises or sudden jerky movements. A baby can stand quite loud noises or quite bright lights over a long period of time but a sudden change will cause immediate distress.

Newborn crying - (next) ►

Dr Miriam Stoppard

Posted 03.11.2010

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