Why do babies cry?

The majority of the time a baby cries to communicate a need, as an infant cannot speak. The baby may be hungry, wet, or otherwise in need of diaper change, too hot or cold, tired, uncomfortable or even in pain from for example gas or teething. Sometimes a baby will also cry if frightened, bored, or stressed. Many babies will also cry if their immediate caregiver becomes upset. No matter the reason crying is an indicator your baby needs you.

Is there a way to determine what a baby needs from its cry?

Yes. Though cries for specific things may vary from child to child, a mother or father can determine what a certain type of cry means by paying close attention to what stops a certain cry. Interestingly many babies have a common type of cry for three main things. A semi-frantic, upset cry usually indicates a direct need, such as to be fed or changed. A soft, somewhat whining cry is more often a sign of emotion, such as a feeling of loneliness, boredom, or sleepiness. Finally, a shrill, intense, ear-shattering cry often indicates pain.

What do I do if my baby just won’t stop crying? How do I cope?

Remain calm; remember that a baby crying does not mean you’re a bad parent. Remember that you can do this. If you start to feel overwhelmed, begin by stopping counting to ten and just trying to relax. If this doesn’t work and you really feel you cannot handle it anymore, step away, take a few moments to yourself. The number one reason parents give that they shake their babies, resulting in shaken baby syndrome is that the baby wouldn’t stop crying. One in four babies that are shaken die. A crying baby is better than a dying one. If you find yourself in this position often talking to a loved one may help, or even asking for help. Parents need down time to recharge too, and you shouldn’t be afraid or ashamed to ask for it.

Could there be a medical reason if my baby never stops crying?

Yes. If your baby cries excessively more than three nights a week, you should contact your healthcare provider. In infants, this is called colic. A colicky baby can actually have medical reasons behind their crying, some of these reasons can be indentifying and may be able to be treated such as gas or acid reflux. Not all the reasons for colic are known, but some are.