Crying is the only way your infant can express her feelings to you. It is her only form of communication. The problem is, it\’s often difficult to identify the specific reasons babies cry. Are they hungry? Are they uncomfortable? Are they upset? Each of these – as well as other – reasons may be the catalyst.

With this in mind, we\’ll take a closer look at the seven most common reasons babies cry. If you can learn to distinguish between them, you\’ll be much more effective in addressing your little one\’s needs.

1 – She\’s Tired

A lot of new parents believe infants can simply go to sleep whenever they desire. In reality, babies are often too tired to sleep. When this happens, they often become frustrated and respond by crying. Eventually, they will cry themselves to sleep.

A related issue is that many babies are tired, but unwilling to go to sleep for fear they might miss out on something. Usually, removing the sources of stimuli solves the problem.

2 – She\’s Hungry

When your baby is hungry, she\’ll let you know by crying. If you can identify the signs of her becoming hungry before her hunger escalates, you\’ll be able to feed her before she cries. Try to notice whether she is smacking her lips. She may also grow increasingly fussy and put her hands into her mouth. These behaviors are common signs of hunger in infants.

3 – She Needs To Be Burped

When your little one nurses or feeds from a bottle, she will swallow air. This air might rest in her stomach and cause discomfort. If it does, she may cry to let you know she\’s uncomfortable. Burping her will help her dispel the air.

4 – She\’s Teething

Infants usually receive their first tooth during their fourth or fifth month. As the tooth breaks through their gumline, they will usually feel pain, causing them to cry. Not all infants experience the same level of pain. For some, it may be ever-present, causing seemingly endless crying. For others, the pain is mild and may cause little more than fussing.

If the pain from teething is severe, give your little one a cold wash cloth to chew. The cool sensation will provide a bit of relief.

5 – Her Diaper Needs To Be Changed

Every baby is different with regard to the length of time they can endure a dirty diaper. Some babies will begin crying almost immediately. Others may let their parents know after an hour. Once your little one is wearing a clean diaper again, she\’ll stop crying.

6 – She Has Gas

In the same way trapped air can make your baby uncomfortable, so too, can gas. In fact, it can make her miserable. This often occurs immediately after nursing, though the reasons are unknown. Some parents will give their babies anti-gas medicine, such as Mylicon. Check with your baby\’s doctor before doing so.

If your little one gets gas occasionally, lay her on her back, lift her feet, and move her legs back and forth. This is usually sufficient to provide some relief. If she deals with gas on a regular basis, ask your doctor for suggestions.

7 – She\’s Under Or Over Stimulated

Once your infant is able to watch the world around her, and track things as they move, she may want more exposure. Some babies are intensely curious. If they do not receive the stimulation they crave, they\’ll cry. Other infants crave less. If they feel overwhelmed by the stimuli that surrounds them, they too, will cry.

In the former case, placing your baby in a sling or carrier will let her explore the world with her senses. In the latter case, finding a quiet spot away from stimulation will likely comfort her.

Babies cry as a natural form of communication. The challenge is determining the reasons. Once you are able to identify why your little one is crying, you\’ll be better able to address her needs.

by Elizabeth Perkins with assist from Lauren Q. Hill.

by Elizabeth Perkins with assist from Lauren Q. Hill – http://www.laurenqhill.com

Author Bio: by Elizabeth Perkins with assist from Lauren Q. Hill.

Category: Parenting
Keywords: why babies cry, crying infants, how to help a crying infant