There’s no denying it, babies cry. Usually for a reason. Sometimes to make sure you know they’re nearby, and sometimes because they are in pain or are uncomfortable. If you’re suffering from sleepless nights with a baby who won’t stop crying, look no further. We have put together this list of 13 reasons why do babies cry and how to help soothe them.
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Common Reasons Why Babies Cry And Ways to Soothe Them
Babies cry for different reasons and sound different when they cry. Sometimes a cry can be a little worrisome, but most of the time it isn’t anything to worry about. No matter what the reason is, you must take care of your baby’s needs. We understand that it can be incredibly stressful for a new parent if they don’t know why do babies cry and how to quiet their crying baby. Here are some reasons babies cry and ways to soothe them:
1. Hunger
Babies and toddlers cry for many different reasons. A common one would be because they are hungry. If you want to recognize whether hunger is the true cause behind excessive crying in babies, observe signs. If the baby tries to put your hand into the mouth or lip-smacking, the baby might be hungry.
To Soothe the Baby: Feed them breastmilk or bottle milk. See if the baby stops crying or not. If the baby is hungry, then he or she will stop crying.
2. Heavy Diaper
Some babies cry especially when wearing a diaper with heavy wet poop. A filled and heavy diaper irritates the baby and he or she might end up crying to express the discomfort. Simply, check the diaper if it’s too tight or full.
To Soothe the Baby: Change the diaper immediately and put on a clean diaper after cleaning the baby. Keep in mind you might have to change a newborn’s diaper frequently.
3. Baby Want to Sleep
Your baby might be frustrated because of a disturbed sleeping routine or simply because your little one wants to sleep. If your baby is being fussy and trying to close eyes to sleep, get them to sleep as fast as possible so they can stop crying anytime soon.
To Soothe the Baby: To help babies to sleep at night you can play soothing music or sing a lullaby for them. Make sure you dim the lights and do not make extra noise.
4. Colic
Colic is a diagnose describing the condition of your baby crying for more than 3 hours per day, for more than 3 days a week. It can cause excessive crying in babies, irritability, or even painful stomach cramping. It normally happens within the first month of a baby’s life.
To Soothe the Baby: Offer the baby pacifier and check if it calms the baby or not. Moreover, you can ask the doctor for help and suggest some herbal remedies to treat colic.
5. Need to Burp
The most common reason why babies cry is due to not being burped after every feed. The basic way to identify if this the reason behind the baby’s crying, the baby will cry after feeding or after sucking a pacifier.
To Soothe the Baby: Try to burp the baby by giving a pat on the back. There are other methods to know how to burp a baby to help you out. You can checkout at what age you will be free from burping a baby.
6. Teething
Teething pain could be the reason that your baby is crying continuously. If the baby is suffering from teething pains, your baby will also have problems chewing or swallowing any solid foods during this moment.
To Soothe the Baby: You can offer the baby some refrigerated teethers to chew. Otherwise, giving cotton bibs can also help to ease out the discomfort.
7. Reflux
Well, there is a good chance that your baby is crying because of acid reflux. Acid reflux is an extremely common problem in babies, and it’s simply a reflex of the stomach contents moving back up the food pipe.
To Soothe the Baby: To avoid acid reflux in babies, take breaks while feeding your baby. Also, burp them after feeding is completed. Make sure to keep the baby slightly elevated after feeds.
8. Fatigue
The baby might be crying because of fatigue. You may wonder if your baby’s fussiness and distress are caused by over-tiredness. Babies turn fussy when they are tired, and your baby won’t stop crying. In such a case, help the baby to sleep.
To Soothe the Baby: Swaddling the baby is the best to provide comfort to a fussy baby. Make sure the baby is feeling cozy and comfortable when you wrap them in a blanket.
9. Baby Craves Attention
Just like adults, babies can feel ignored. If your baby is a newborn he or she might cry because they want you to pay attention to them. Babies need physical contact, for instance, through breastfeeding or snuggling. They also need to be fed regularly and with good quality nutrients.
To Soothe the Baby: To calm a crying baby, hold him or her in your arms, or you can even offer a toy to hold and play with. Sometimes babies stop crying after they are offered a pacifier.
10. Temperature Issue
Sometimes we might not recognize, but the baby might feel too cold or too hot in his or her clothes or due to room temperature. Therefore check if the baby is feeling hot and too sweaty or if the baby’s feet are too cold.
To Soothe the Baby: Maintain the room temperature between 68 degrees Fahrenheit to 72 degrees. Also, try changing the baby crib mattress to allow airflow while sleeping.
11. Allergies
There are a lot of things that can trigger an allergy in infants. It could even be some over-the-counter medication or treatment. That is why by understanding the symptoms of infants’ allergies, you can start looking for ways to treat them and save everyone from losing sleep.
To Soothe the Baby: The best way to ease out allergies is to consult a doctor and follow prescribed medicines. This will help you recognize the source and type of allergy.
12. Discomfort Due to Clothes
Babies cry because they are uncomfortable with certain clothes. You must know the right things about baby clothes so that your child feels comfortable. It is very important that parents know how to dress their babies comfortably, or it can be a cry-fest all day.
To Soothe the Baby: Dress your baby in light-weight and soft fabric clothes. Keep the fancy clothes away from your little one.
13. Illness
If your newborn is crying more than usual, it could be due to a simple cold, ear infections, or other illnesses. If you notice your baby is not responding to their usual sleep tactics or breastfeeding techniques, then it might be due to the infant’s illness.
To Soothe the Baby: You must not overlook such a condition and visit the doctor as soon as possible. Get the proper treatment.
Conclusion:
Babies cry for lots of different reasons, and while for some they may be inexplicable, they’re often the result of a simple fix. Educate yourself on the reasons why do babies cry, and you’ll be able to identify their cries to know what they’re trying to express. Make use of different soothing methods to deal with excessive crying in babies. Rest, do not be worried, you will soon start understanding what your baby tries to say to you by crying.
