Seven reasons why babies cry

I have an 8-month old baby girl. She is most-of-the-time a happy baby. Pero since normal naman talaga sa mga bata ang iyakin, hindi rin kami ligtas sa mga crying moments nya. And even if she cries almost every night before going to sleep, I still find it hard to pacify her or to understand her. Minsan iba iba ang trip nya. Kelangan talaga sa mga mommies i-extend ng todo ang patience. Hehe. I'm lucky to come across this article about the 7 reasons why our babies cry and ways to soothe them. Mommies, try to read the whole article kasi we can really learn a lot from it. To read the complete article, please click here.

Why do babies cry?

1. I'm hungry

Hunger is one of the most common reasons that your newborn baby will cry. The younger your baby is, the more likely it is that she's hungry

2. I just feel like crying

If your baby is younger than about five months old, she may cry in the late afternoon and evenings. This is normal, and doesn't mean there's anything wrong with your baby.

3. I need to be held

Your baby will need lots of cuddling, physical contact and reassurance to comfort her.

4. I'm tired and need a rest

Often, babies find it hard to get to sleep, particularly if they are over-tired. You will soon become aware of your baby's sleep cues. Whining and crying at the slightest thing, staring blankly into space, and going quiet and still are just three examples.

5. I'm too cold or too hot

Use sheets and cellular blankets as bedding in your baby's cot or Moses basket. You can check whether your baby is too hot or too cold by feeling her tummy. If her tummy feels too hot, remove a blanket, and if it feels cold, add one. 

6. I need my nappy changing

Your baby may protest if her clothes are too tight or if a wet or soiled nappy is bothering her. Or she may not mind if her nappy is full and may actually enjoy the warm and comfortable feeling. But if your baby's tender skin is being irritated she will most likely cry.

7. I need something to make me feel better

Be aware of changes in your baby. If she's unwell, she'll probably cry in a different tone to her usual cry. It may be weaker, more urgent, continuous, or high-pitched. And if your baby usually cries a lot but has become unusually quiet, it may be a sign that she's not well. 

What can I do?

1. Find a constant sound (hindi ko alam 'to, may ganitong factor pala ang mga bata lol!)

In the uterus (womb), your baby could hear the beat of your heart, which is why she likes to be held close to you now. There are other repetitive noises that may also have a calming effect. 

The steady rhythm of a washing machine, or the noise of a vacuum cleaner or hairdryer may lull your baby to sleep. But never put your baby on top of a washing machine or clothes dryer, just supervise her on the floor, next to it.

You can also download white-noise sounds or a white noise app for your phone, or buy a white-noise CD created for babies. These mimic the sounds in the uterus and may soothe your crying baby.

2. Rock-a-bye baby (tried and tested)

Babies usually love to be gently rocked. You could:

• Walk around while rocking her.
• Sit with her in a rocking chair.
• If she's old enough, sit her securely in a baby swing.
• Take her out for a ride in your car.
• Take her out for a walk in her pushchair.

3. Try a massage or a tummy rub (I have to try this to my baby)

Using massage oils or cream and gently rubbing her back or tummy can help to soothe your baby. It may also make you feel better, as it's a practical way of reducing your baby's distress. 

4. Try a different feeding position (tried and tested)

Some babies cry during or after feeds. If you are breastfeeding, you may find that improving the way your baby latches on helps her to feed calmly without crying. 

5. Let her suck on something (always works for me, my baby just can't let go of pacifiers til now)

In some newborns, the need to suck is very strong. Sucking at your breast while you are breastfeeding, a clean finger or a dummy can bring great comfort. Comfort sucking can steady a baby's heart rate, relax her tummy, and help her to settle.

6. Give her a warm bath (I haven't tried this yet)

A warm bath may soothe your baby and help her to calm down. Check the water temperature before placing her in there. But bear in mind that this may also make her cry more. In time, you will get to know your baby's likes and dislikes.

7. Don't demand too much of yourself (next time I'll keep this in mind)

If your newborn cries almost constantly, she won't do herself lasting harm. But it's likely to cause you and your partner a great deal of stress and worry. If she's unhappy and resists every effort to calm her down, you may feel rejected and frustrated. But you are not the cause of her crying, so don't blame yourself.


Article source: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/a536698/seven-reasons-babies-cry-and-how-to-soothe-them-