What to do when your newborn cries?

Bringing a newborn home can be both exciting and daunting. While there are many joyful moments, dealing with a crying baby is not one of them. Whether you’re suffering from sleep deprivation or just trying to keep your sanity intact, figuring out what’s causing your little one to cry non-stop can feel like an impossible task.

Fear not, new parent! With our comprehensive guide on ‘What to do when your newborn cries,’ we’ll help you decipher those cries and soothe your baby in no time.

Building the Perfect Baby Toolkit

Babies need some basic things for comfort and safety during their first few months. Before we jump into how best to calm an upset infant, let us have a quick look at the equipment required for successful parenting.
Here’s what should already be stocked up:

  • Diapers (lots of diapers)
  • Wipes
  • Formula/breastmilk
  • Burp cloths
  • Pacifiers (or dummies as we say in Britain)
  • Baby calming lavender oil
    • Also doubles as stress relief
      for mums who love herbal scents

Depending on individual family preferences or babies’ unique requirements might add some items such as; bottles/nipples, pumps & sterilizers sets, etc.

Now that essentials are covered, let’s move onto how-to techniques when that comes outburst arrives

Working Through The Different Types Of Crys

Not all cries mean the same thing – if only it were so simple! Babies typically cry because they need something or require attention for various reasons which include hunger,colic/wind/constipation,boredom,fear,wanting attention,misunderstanding feelings,and pain.Though identifying each type of sigh isn’t effortless exactly by practice reviewing the volume/timing/length/how intense came through usual cycles with coordination within other signs of baby’s situation.

For example, “I’m hungry,” cry will usually sound like a repetitive rhythmic noise that escalates in volume and pitch. However, ‘I’m suffering from excessive gas’ is often lower-pitched with longer pauses between cries.

Here are the most common reasons for crying babies:

Hunger

  • Signs:
    • Mouth movements (sucking especially when given finger)
    • Loud and insistent crying, agitated movement
  • Remedy:
    Feed your little one immediately or check if they require more feeding

Discomfort / Colic/Wind/Constipation

The cause can be food intolerance/allergies/muscular immaturity because uncomfortable position as feeling trapped inside belly-movement area.
-Colicable cries last an average of three hours per day; typically peaks around six weeks old.

  • Signs:
  • High-pitched wailing/crying shortly after feeding/napping
  • Curling up to knees while pressing legs down stiffly
  • Red flushed face while tilting their heads back.

Remedies:
There are several things you can try depending on what could have triggered discomfort[1]:

  • Burp the baby routinely over laps/chest-to-chest holding putting gentle pressure along the backbone.
  • Walking with them held against your body facing outwards while supporting head leaning->right ear to right shoulder then lowering -> front-focussed direction repeatedly alternate until there signs immediate improvement.
    Bouncing/jiggling/swaying rhythmically vertically/horizontally gently might do also comfort infant along with white noise e.g.shushing sounds/hairdryer etc. Often working together [2]
  • Use warm compresses placed strategically above navel area/padding ointment rubbed into skin/stomach massage clockwise..etc.[3]

### Boredom/Loneliness

Who doesn’t get bored occasionally? Imagine how frustrated your baby feels when they don’t have a way to express it! These cries are typically lower in pitch and volume than other cries, signaling their need for attention.

  • Signs:

    • Whimpers without liasing-up crying
    • Fussy behavior developing while not waking up yet fully.
  • Remedy:
    Distract the baby with new toys or images (ceiling mobiles/computational devices),reading/storytelling[/Play] relaxation techniques [3]

### Fear
Newborns are discovering a brand-new world that’s full of surprises! It makes sense that they would sometimes feel apprehensive about what’s around them.This cry is often sharp/sudden/strident/shrill sounding scream escalating swiftly.

  • Signs:
    • sudden startled move/lurch/back arching/head bowing back mouth strains opening/
      -Eyes appears wide alarmed,worried,scared.

Remedy:
Provide comfort/protection by participating in activities such as singing soothing songs/humming /creating swaddling/receiving blankets comforts[fave teddy bear],holding securely chest-to-chest(reassuring touch from those who smell familiar).

Attention Seeking

Finally, some babies will cry simply because they want your undivided attention! This kind of crying can happen at any time and is usually similar to whining.

Signs:
Same as boredom-related crankiness;often expressed through cooing/noise-making while grown-ups nearby but leaving escalated within no attending approach.

Remedies:

Newborn infants doesn’t understand the concept of ignoring behaviors yet so we suggest you offer close contact/calm exposure +/- sensory stimulation by having skin-to-skin-time/ massage playtime}/

Hopefully breaking down various categories has helped you pinpoint why your little one is crying

Calm Baby Rituals & Techniques

Dealing with fussy newborns isn’t easy, but we’ve broken down the most effective calming techniques to soothe your little one. Keep in mind that every newborn is unique and might prefer different comfort methods. Practice helps you figure this out.

For instance, if rocking them back won’t calm down sufficiently, walking around with a carrier may do the trick -besides affording some movement-free upper body time for you too!

Here are some of our favorite tactics:

Swaddling

Newborns have spent nearly nine months like sardines inside our bellies; and being tightly wrapped mimics similar sensations as well as keep hands arms out-of-way fidget ability save sudden starsle incidents

To swaddle correctly[4] :

  • Take a blanket or baby-specific wraps
  • Lay it on flat bed/surface,with top corner folded in(creating reverse-triangle shape) place baby’s head above fold highest point
    -tuck both sides up/down snuggly then fold bottom up/half tuck under themselves while placing securely over chest via velcro tapes/clips.

Things got easier using ready-made versions secured with zippers/buttons .

Before incorporating this method into bedtime routine warning about overheating leading to potential risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) which trumps importance maintaining healthy sleep guidelines were checked by carefully following temperature control recommendations

White Noise /Shushing

It often comes as surprise how much humdrum high-pitched machinery/tv background sound/crowd noise softens their cries..Effectiveness varies including replicant sounds such ‘shhhhhh’ can be utilized.

Remedies:
Play continuous white noise machine or humidifier.
Shushing twice per month slowly fading tone towards calm restful ending

Some parents implement recordings cloud-based emitting various audio relaxation therapy stimuli since dynamic changing auditory atmosphere entertains & comforts babies who may not yet differentiate between awake/asleep mode yet {5]

Baby Wearing

Most babies love close contact, especially against their caregivers. “Babywearing” a newer practice growing more and more popular because it’s so convenient!It lets you keep baby physically safe/monitored while maneuvering errands or chores (free arms!) thereby increasing parent’s convenience with potential positive effects on mood development .

Things to take into consideration[6]:
– Pick suits age-range weight-fit preference carrier out of many types/styles offerings providing safe spinal support during growth changes.
-Watch for overheating especially if involved outdoors /posture change elements such as unsafe belts/too narrow leg width ones not ensuring hip arrangement related structural musculoskeletal dysfunctions

Massage

Massage can benefit both parents by relaxing/as well stimulating infant muscles/facilitating digestion/bonding techniques through skin-to-skin-time-providing empowering experience

Ways To Start:

  • Keep environment peaceful/ warm temperature-wise;then ensure clean hands have some neutral scent lotion/oil available.
  • Gently rub down the limbs/tummy/chest focussing on gentle strokes that use soothing circular motion patterns whilst maintaining eye-eye contacting calmingly talking to.

Remember to avoid overly stimulating touch hovering onto neck/knee areas-not forcing facial expressions like smiling-whilst monitoring response adjustments pacing accordingly adjusting sensitivity amount [7]

Now that you’re familiar with techniques remember – this period shall pass too! After going through different situations in identifying cries root-causes ,checking the basics are right(pamper,sleep cycles,stress management) when all fails even though healthy happiness levels runs normal range baby should soon develop new communication tools and make interacting much easier. Hang In there![8]

References :

1-“Treating colic in babies” www.nhs.uk – accessed September 2021

2-“Calming a crying child?” raisesmartkid.com-accessedSeptember 2021-

3-Burlew,Katie, ‘The 5 S’s for soothing babies,’ vivehealth.com , accessedSeptember2021

4-“How to swaddle a newborn”parentsisland.com-accessed September 2021-

5- “7 reasons why white noise is great for your baby,” thesleepjudge.com -accessed September 2021-

6-“What Are The Benefits Of Baby Wearing?”-https://www.careforyou.co.nz/ accessed- October 018

  1. “Baby Massage: Overview And Effectiveness”, VeryWellFamily TeraVisioni / miHo YoShI_NoRi_CEREJAyJaCampitelli-CERJArtStudio/Hathix on Unsplash-Acessed September 2021-

8.”Why Do Babies Cry & What Can You Do About It?-happiestbaby.com– AcesssedOctober018

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