Some scientists believe that babies make reflex sounds in an attempt to communicate with their parents and caregivers. These distinct sounds are emitted in their cries, enabling an adult to differentiate one cry from the next.
Newborn baby care may be daunting for a mom. So hopefully these tips on deciphering your baby’s cries will help you understand what they want or need.
What can you read in this article?
- Why is a baby crying
- Why do babies cry at night
- How to stop a baby from crying
5 reasons why is baby crying
Photo by Sunvani Hoàng from PexelsThe Dunstan language of babies is the most prevalent of these theories though other professionals argue that there aren’t enough research or conclusive results to prove the validity of said language. Here are the different baby cries according to Dunstan’s language of babies…
1. Crying because she’s hungry
A hungry baby’s cries will be rhythmic and repetitive. The cry will often be accompanied by sucking sounds, rooting, or sucking on fingers or hands. Timing also plays a big part in a hungry cry.
If your baby hasn’t eaten in 3 hours or so, chances are she wants to eat. Dunstan’s baby language tells us to listen for ‘n’ sounds in a baby’s hungry cry.
A hungry baby’s cries will be rhythmic and repetitive. The cry will often be accompanied by sucking sounds, rooting, or sucking on fingers or hands. Timing also plays a big part in a hungry cry.
If your baby hasn’t eaten in 3 hours or so, chances are she wants to eat. Dunstan’s baby language tells us to listen for ‘n’ sounds in a baby’s hungry cry.
2. Crying because he’s stressed out
A stressed baby will toss and turn while crying in a whiny sort of way. The cry is often described as fussy. They will turn away from the sounds or sights that are stressing them out.
3. Crying because he’s tired
A tired baby’s cry will start slowly and build in intensity. A tired baby will also rub their eyes, yawn, and move around as if trying to keep themselves awake. The ‘ow’ sound may also be heard in a baby’s tired cry.
4. Crying because she’s in pain
Sudden, intense, sharp cries that come suddenly indicate pain. This type of cry can also indicate extreme fear. Whimpers, soft cries, and whining are also signs of not feeling well. Be on the lookout for a ‘heh’ sound which also indicates discomfort.
5. Crying because he has colic
The cry of a baby who is suffering from colic is persistent, loud, and sharp. They will often draw their legs up in pain. The ‘eh’ sound, according to Dunstan’s language of babies, indicates a need to be burped or to be relieved of gas.
6. Response to a baby crying
No matter what the reason, responding to your baby’s cries does not result in a spoiled baby. Your response sends the message that you are there to love, protect and provide security and comfort.
If your baby cries longer than usual and nothing you do soothes him, call your doctor to see if there is a medical reason or if he’s sick.
Why do babies cry at night?
Photo by Laura Garcia from Pexels
Babies, especially when they’re newborns, can be restless sleepers. Because their internal clocks aren’t entirely functional yet, infants can sleep for anywhere between 16 and 20 hours per day.
Newborns can then sleep for four to five hours at a time. This is expected to continue until around three months, when babies often begin sleeping for eight to nine hours at night, with a few naps during the day. However, there may be a few hiccups throughout that nocturnal period.
READ MORE:
During the transition from light to deep sleep, your baby may make a little fuss before settling down. Don’t rush to pick up your infant if they cry out in the middle of the night.
Take note of the baby crying sounds. A high pitched screaming baby may mean he or she is wet, hungry, cold, or even sick will not fall asleep in a minute or two. Those cries will grow louder and louder, signaling your response.
Try to keep the awakenings quiet and tranquil in these situations. Do what needs to be done without unnecessary stimulation such as bright lights or a loud voice, whether it’s feeding or diaper changing. The goal is to communicate that nighttime is for sleeping.
Moreover, according to the Mayo Clinic, newborns cry because they miss their parents. They could also be uneasy owing to the room’s temperature, a soiled diaper, or the loss of their pacifier.
Most of the time, solving these minor issues, together with a tight swaddle and a few gentle rockers, can calm your wailing infant. White noise hugs and a regular bedtime routine can also be beneficial.
The National Sleep Foundation also suggests that you teach your infant to fall asleep on his or her own by laying him or her down sleepy but aware.
This teaches your baby how to fall asleep so that when they wake up in the middle of the night, they can go back to sleep without requiring you to repeat the bedtime process.
How to stop a baby from crying
Photo by ANTONI SHKRABA from Pexels
If your child is crying uncontrollably, try the following:
- Feed your baby. Look for signs that your child is getting hungry, such as suckling on their hands or frantically rooting around for the nipple. Offer the breast or bottle while they’re still peaceful to avoid inconsolable weeping — and the frenzied, often unsuccessful feeding that follows.
- Recognize baby crying sounds. A sudden, high pitched screaming baby usually signifies pain, whereas a brief, low-pitched, rising-and-falling shriek usually suggests hunger. However, claiming that a specific cry indicates the same thing for all babies is impossible.
You’ll begin to recognize the varied sounds of your infant’s screams if you observe and listen to them every day. If your baby screams when he or she is hungry, pay attention to how that cry differs from the others.
- Take note of relief strategies. To soothe your crying baby, you may do these strategies or activities:
- Make sure your baby is feeling well or is not sick. Check their temperature for a fever.
- Check that your baby isn’t hungry and has a clean diaper.
- Play music, and sing or dance with your baby.
- Take your baby for a walk, or a ride in the stroller.
- Rock your baby while gently singing to him or her.
- Do skin-to-skin contact while taking calm, slow breaths.
- Give your baby a warm bath
- Put your baby in a swing. The motion and vibration may be soothing.
- Offer your baby a pacifier.
- Gently rub your baby’s back.
- Just let them cry (but still look after them!)
According to Dr. David Hill, associate medical editor of “Caring for Your Baby and Young Child, 7th Edition, Birth to Age 5”, allowing babies to cry for a short period of time does not harm them emotionally. This has been researched extensively.
It probably depends on you and your kid, but in the long run, you can feel comfortable letting your baby cry to transition from a waking to a sleeping state, and even more so if you’ve reached your emotional limit.
If you think you’ve done everything and your baby still won’t stop crying, take a deep breath and relax, and have your partner or someone else you trust to look after your baby. You need to breathe too.
If you think that something else is troubling your baby, immediately seek medical help.
Why do babies cry at night: how to soothe your baby
When a baby cries out momentarily in its sleep, it usually settles down on its own. Picking them up may wake them up, causing sleep disruption. If the crying persists, try quietly speaking to the baby or gently massaging their back or stomach. This can help them transition to a different sleep stage and cease screaming.
1. Breastfeeding newborns
Breastfed newborns who suckle while sleeping may find nursing comforting. Caregivers should consider if the infant will wake up from nursing and whether they are prepared to take the risk of waking the baby.
Observing the baby’s sleep habits might also be beneficial. Some babies make a quiet cry as they drift off to sleep or just before waking up.
2. Baby is sick or teething
When a baby is unwell or teething, they may cry in their sleep, but the pain that causes crying usually wakes the baby up.
3. Baby might be having a nightmare
Although we don’t know when dreams begin, a caregiver who suspects their child is suffering one might quiet them down by talking calmly to them or caressing their back.
If a baby wakes up after a nightmare, console them and put them back to sleep with a calming sleep ritual. Older newborns and toddlers may require reassurance that the experience was merely a nightmare.
When to call a doctor
Your baby’s crying during sleeping could be due to a variety of factors. Consult your doctor if it appears to be severely impacting your baby. It’s possible that a medical issue might be contributing to the situation.