8 Reasons Why Baby’s Crying and Tips on How to Deal

Crying is the only way your little babe can communicate negative feelings, at least in the first 12 months. That’s why parents need to develop the knack for recognizing what their infant is trying to tell them. Here, we enumerate several reasons and various interpretations of grief that may help you identify what your baby is trying to say.

1 .Feed me! When baby starts to suck on a Þ nger and smack his lips as a precursor to a low-pitched, rhythmic cry, he might be telling you to give him your breast.and fast! Nelizza de Gorostiza-Banocnoc,
M.D., a pediatrician at San Juan de Dios Hospital in Pasay City, says a cry of hunger sounds demanding. It has a pattern of short cry, brief pause, short cry, pause, and so forth.

Solve it. Pick him up; if he’s really hungry, he will automatically root for your breast. Although in the early stages of infancy, Dr. de Gorostiza-Banocnoc explains that babies still have the rooting reß ex (mouth turns instinctively to mom’s finger if brought near the cheek) that may lead you to think he.s hungry even if he’s not. Take him for a walk in your arms first. If he falls asleep, he just might want to rest. If he continues to wail, serve him with milk pronto.

2. I have a tummy ache! Maria Concepcion Cabildo, M.D., a pediatrician at San Juan Medical Center in San Juan, says your baby may have a painful gas buildup or he may be constipated, thus the cry of distress. If he is formula-fed, stomach cramps and slimy poop may occur from improper sterilization of feeding bottles or from the water used. There’s also a chance of him developing milk sensitivity, she adds. Some babies could even have a condition called reß ux where food from the stomach backs up towards the throat.

Solve it. Burp him regularly. Don’t let him lie supine right after eating; set him in a side-lying or seating position instead. If you’re using bottled water, check if it has been certified safe for infant consumption, says Dr. Gorostiza-Banocnoc.

If the symptoms continue, consult your pediatrician, you might need to switch to a soy-based formula or hydrolyzed whey. Opt for slow-flow nipples. Make sure, too, that the nipple and hole size are appropriate for baby’s age, she says. Avoid feeding with his bottle propped up on a pillow; he may swallow more air.

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Read on for more reasons why baby's crying.

3. I’m bored. A baby who feels lonely in his crib may suddenly let out a whimper. A change of scene would be welcome.

Solve it. Move his crib to another part of the room; install a mobile so that there’s something interesting to look at. Better yet, talk to him while you go about your chores. When you go on errands, bring baby along so he can enjoy the sights and sounds a new environment brings.

4. Don’t leave me! Your momentary absence when your baby is between 8 and 12 months can set off separation anxiety attacks, making him wail in panic. This usually happens when you leave him for a few minutes to attend to something else, or leave the house for work.

Solve it. If you’re just going out of the room, give him a kiss and a gentle pat to show him you’ll be coming back. If you’re leaving for work, have somebody (his grandma or yaya) distract him with a favorite toy while you exit. Take comfort in the knowledge that babies outgrow this by the 18th month.

5. Ouch! I’m getting squeezed! A sudden scream with a shrill, high-pitched wail, followed by a lengthy pause that leaves him breathless, before starting all over again could be caused by pain. An older baby usually flails his arms and legs as if trying to rid his body of something. Dr. Gorostiza-Banocnoc says this action is not to be confused with the Moro or startle reflex, which typically disappears between 3 and 4 months.

Solve it. Check immediately if any part of baby’s body is caught on anything, a hair or thread that.s tightly wrapped around a finger, a zipper or sharp object that caught a piece of skin, or a leg trapped between the rails of his crib. Loosen his clothes and check for any tight straps if he is in a car seat or stroller.

Click here for ways to calm baby down and more reasons why baby's crying.

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Here are ways to calm baby down and more reasons why baby's crying.

Calm him down. Here, a couple of techniques to hush a hysterical infant:
•    Swaddling baby in a lightweight blanket works best for newborns; it gives them a secure womb-like feeling.
•    Infant massage soothes and calms a baby to sleep.
•    Lullabies and soft music may help relax a crying infant; it reminds him of his mom’s heartbeat.
•    Close physical contact with a parent can pacify a cranky infant. Babies who are carried at least three hours a day cry less than those who do not experience this kind of warmth more often, says Maria Concepcion Cabildo, M.D., a pediatrician at San Juan Medical Center in San Juan.
•    Gentle, rhythmic movements induced by being in a hammock, rocking chair, and even slow dancing with mom helps baby forget being upset much faster.
•    Another consistent caregiver may just be what baby needs. When you become stressed yourself by baby’s nonstop wailing, he may pick up the negative vibes and cry more. Take a break; replenish your strength and patience. You need it!

6. I don’t feel good. A prolonged cry that sounds weak, whiny and/or nasal can be signs that your baby is sick. Usually, this low-pitched cry of pain is a symptom of an illness when accompanied by a flushed face, lack of appetite, low grade fever, diarrhea, and other physical symptoms.

Solve it. Dress your baby in light clothing; give him a sponge bath. Bring him to the pediatrician.

7. I want to rest. If he is exhausted, expect him to cry with a wailing and trembling, nasal sound that may build up in force and regularity.

Solve it. Gently rock him to sleep. The more tired he is, the harder it is to calm him down. Play some soft music and dim the lights, Dr. Cabildo says. You can also refresh him with a quick sponge bath.

8. I feel irritated! Too much noise and movement in a party, excessive stimulation by too many toys, or loud voices may upset your little one making him ill-tempered and prone to crying bouts.

Solve it. Observe how he is in crowded places. Know when to get him away from the hustle and bustle to prevent the inevitable meltdown. Avoid giving him too many toys at any one time. Moreover, make it a rule not to have shouting matches in front of your child. Keep baby.s environment consistently peaceful and soothing.

Be relaxed when consoling your babe. Letting your frustration turn to anger will only intensify and aggravate the situation, warns Dr. Cabildo. If you are having difficulties handling the situation, ask help from other members of the family.
Always remember that all babies cry, often without any apparent cause, says Dr. Cabildo. It is just part of adjusting to this strange new life outside the womb.

SOURCES
● Nelizza de Gorostiza-Banocnoc, M.D., San Juan de Dios Hospital, Pasay City
● Maria Concepcion Cabildo, M.D., San Juan Medical Center, San Juan City
● American Academy of Pediatrics journals and studies