Crying

Eating
Sleeping
Crying
Toilet Training
Biting, Hitting, Bullying
Tantrums
Sharing
Attention Deficit Disorder
Discipline

Crying

Babies of different ages have different reasons for crying and different kinds of crying. At about three months, you'll be able to differentiate different cries that signal different needs. Hunger will generate one cry. Pain causes another. There is a general "grumble" cry that you'll learn to identify as the precursor to the "I'm hungry" cry. An indignant angry cry will be add.htmed to the repertoire at about three months.

An infants' cry is the only reliable means a very young baby has to signal to care givers that they need something. Babies never cry for nothing. Babies cry from:

Hunger is the most common cause of crying in a young baby. Research studies have shown that if a baby is hungry, only milk will stop the crying. The baby may suck sweetened water, fruit juice or a pacifier, but he will start to cry again after only a few seconds. He needs food.

Pain certainly cases crying. The baby will cry if his bottle or his bath is even a few degrees to warm, or if he has gas and needs a burp.

Over stimulation and shock will cause crying. Loud, sudden noises, unexpectedly bright lights, sharp or bitter tastes, cold hands, hot wash cloths, too much laughter, tickling, bouncing, or hugging can all overcome the new baby.

Being undressed can cause crying, not because the baby is cold, or because the process wasn't smooth, but simply because he misses the feeling of the fabric on his bare skin. Try keeping the baby calm while dressing by putting a towel or blanket over his chest and stomach.

Lack of physical contact can cause crying. In many parts of the world, a baby is held and carried almost all the time. In the absence of hunger, pain, cold and other physical reasons, picking up a baby and cuddling him will almost always stop the crying.

Boredom

Oftentimes, babies cry from boredom. Interesting things to look at, swipe at, and touch can keep him happy; however, there is no substitute for human interaction. Prop up your baby in an infant seat and entertain him. No matter how tedious the chores you are doing, they will not bore your baby.

Cures

If all else fails, try rhythm. Rhythmic patting, rhythmic sound, rhythmic movements. This seems to work by blocking out whatever internal or external discomforts were bothersome. Rhythm will not work if hunger or pain is the cause of the crying, or if your baby has colic.

Some babies are better soothed by sucking than by anything else. Learning to suck on fingers or a pacifier is a self-soothing, age appropriate comfort.

COMMON CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES & INFECTIONS | YOUR CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT
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If you missed seeing Healthworks on Prairie Public Television, you still have a chance to keep up to date with these important health issues. Order a videotape copy of any of these interesting and informative programs for only $24.95 per program. Order online or call 1-800-359-6900 to order your copies today.

© 2001 Prairie Public Broadcasting, Inc.

Eating Sleeping Crying Toilet Training Biting, Hitting, Bullying Tantrums Sharing Attention Deficit Disorder Discipline		Crying Babies of different ages have different reasons for crying and different kinds of crying. At about three months, you'll be able to differentiate different cries that signal different needs. Hunger will generate one cry. Pain causes another. There is a general "grumble" cry that you'll learn to identify as the precursor to the "I'm hungry" cry. An indignant angry cry will be add.htmed to the repertoire at about three months. An infants' cry is the only reliable means a very young baby has to signal to care givers that they need something. Babies never cry for nothing. Babies cry from: Hunger is the most common cause of crying in a young baby. Research studies have shown that if a baby is hungry, only milk will stop the crying. The baby may suck sweetened water, fruit juice or a pacifier, but he will start to cry again after only a few seconds. He needs food. Pain certainly cases crying. The baby will cry if his bottle or his bath is even a few degrees to warm, or if he has gas and needs a burp. Over stimulation and shock will cause crying. Loud, sudden noises, unexpectedly bright lights, sharp or bitter tastes, cold hands, hot wash cloths, too much laughter, tickling, bouncing, or hugging can all overcome the new baby. Being undressed can cause crying, not because the baby is cold, or because the process wasn't smooth, but simply because he misses the feeling of the fabric on his bare skin. Try keeping the baby calm while dressing by putting a towel or blanket over his chest and stomach. Lack of physical contact can cause crying. In many parts of the world, a baby is held and carried almost all the time. In the absence of hunger, pain, cold and other physical reasons, picking up a baby and cuddling him will almost always stop the crying. Boredom Oftentimes, babies cry from boredom. Interesting things to look at, swipe at, and touch can keep him happy; however, there is no substitute for human interaction. Prop up your baby in an infant seat and entertain him. No matter how tedious the chores you are doing, they will not bore your baby. Cures If all else fails, try rhythm. Rhythmic patting, rhythmic sound, rhythmic movements. This seems to work by blocking out whatever internal or external discomforts were bothersome. Rhythm will not work if hunger or pain is the cause of the crying, or if your baby has colic. Some babies are better soothed by sucking than by anything else. Learning to suck on fingers or a pacifier is a self-soothing, age appropriate comfort.
		COMMON CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES & INFECTIONS \| YOUR CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT PARENTING CHALLENGES \| RESOURCES AND INFORMATION \| ABOUT THIS PROGRAM BACK TO PRAIRIE PUBLIC TELEVISION \| RETURN TO PRAIRIEPUBLIC.ORG HOME PAGE
		Missed A Program? Healthworks on Videotape If you missed seeing Healthworks on Prairie Public Television, you still have a chance to keep up to date with these important health issues. Order a videotape copy of any of these interesting and informative programs for only $24.95 per program. Order online or call 1-800-359-6900 to order your copies today.
		© 2001 Prairie Public Broadcasting, Inc.