Why is my baby crying?

Newborns usually cry 2-3 hours a day. As normal as it is, a crying baby can be distressing to both babies and parents.

Babies sometimes cry for no apparent reason. But other times they try to tell you something with their tears.

Reasons to cry

With a little common sense and research, you can figure out how to comfort your child.

Hunger

During the first 3 months of life, newborns feed more frequently than every two hours. When they want to eat, they usually make short, low cries that fade in and out.

How to calm down. Offer your breast or bottle to see if that helps. Even if he's not hungry, your baby may just want to suck on something for comfort. You can use a pacifier or have your child suck on their thumb or thumb.

Fatigue

Unlike most adults, children who are overtired or tired often become restless instead of falling asleep.

How to calm down. One of the best ways to encourage sleep is to swaddle your baby. Wrap them tightly in a blanket so that only the head and neck stick out. This helps mimic the womb. A change of scenery can help too. Stroller walk. Or wrap your baby in a car seat: the soothing vibrations of the car will lull him to sleep.

Allergy

A breastfeeding mother can pass on what she eats through her breast milk. This can upset the baby's tummy. If this happens frequently, your child may have an allergy or sensitivity to cow's milk, nuts, wheat, or other foods.

How to calm down. If you think your child has a food allergy, talk to your pediatrician. If you are breastfeeding, your doctor may recommend that you stop eating one food for a week to see if your baby's fussiness has improved. If you are using infant formula, ask your doctor to change to a different formula.

Reflux

Crying right after a feed can be a sign of heartburn. But first, if your baby is formula-fed, make sure that the discomfort isn't just from swallowed air.

How to calm down. Take breaks and spit up frequently while eating. Feed them while they sit. You can try special pacifiers and bottles designed to prevent you from swallowing too much air. If this does not help, reflux may be the cause. Talk to your pediatrician. In about 80% of cases, children with mild reflux recover from the thickened formula, avoid cigarette smoke, and age.

Colic

About 1 in 5 newborns suffer from this condition, characterized by crying for more than 3 hours a day, three times a week. This usually happens within the first month after birth. These sudden bouts of crying may be louder and harsher than usual. Your child's face may turn red, his stomach may bulge, and his legs may be pulled up.

How to calm down. It is not known what causes colic, but it usually goes away on its own after 3 to 4 months. In the meantime, you can:

Rock or walk with your baby.
Run the vacuum or clothes dryer to lull them to sleep.
Offer a pacifier.
Ask your doctor if fennel extracts, chamomile, or other herbal remedies can help.
Take breaks for yourself so you can take better care of your baby.

If your baby continues to cry for a long time, see a doctor to make sure nothing serious is happening.

Sleep habits

At 6 months, your baby should be able to fall asleep and sleep on their own. But sometimes they may not want to go to bed without you. Even after establishing a sleep schedule, they may have trouble falling asleep if they are sick or there are changes in the house.

How to calm down. Don't feel guilty for ignoring the baby's moans. Research shows that allowing your baby to slowly cry for longer and longer periods of time before looking at them can help them learn to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer than other methods.