Introduction
Babies cry often during the first six months of age. The crying can last between 45 minutes to two hours per day. Colic is a special pattern of crying in which babies cry for more than 3 hours a day, especially in the evening. Crying due to colic can be a maximum between six to eight weeks of age. Though colic can rectify on its own, parents need to soothe the crying and fussy baby.
What Are the Different Types of Cries?
Newborns cry often, especially after getting up from sleep which indicates that they are hungry. If they are not attended to immediately, the crying may aggravate to a wail. With maturity, the baby’s cries become louder, stronger, and more insistent. With different needs and desires, the crying patterns may vary. Response to a crying baby should involve resolving the most wanted needs of the baby.
If the baby feels hungry and cold, the wet diaper should first be changed before feeding the baby. If there is a panicked nature of crying, it can mean that something is making the baby uncomfortable. Other types of cries include:
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The cry of a newborn is distinct and high-pitched while wailing. This does not indicate pain always. The newborns take short, rapid breaths and let out short crying sounds every time they exhale. Older babies take deep breaths while crying so they cry longer.
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Babies who are in pain, suffering from illness or teething issues, and with gas problems let out a piercing cry with a pained look on their faces. These babies are difficult to console.
What Are the Facts About Crying in Babies?
A few facts about crying in babies are:
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Babies cry frequently between two to eight weeks of age.
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All babies cry but the method of communication may differ.
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Crying is the highest at two months of age but can progress till four to five months of age.
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Babies cry more often in the evenings.
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Even healthy infants may cry for four to five hours a day.
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Babies may look as if they are crying due to pain even though they are not.
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Sometimes babies cry to get rid of stress and it is fine.
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Crying might occur in episodes but the reason may remain unknown.
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Crying may not stop for long even if the babies are consoled.
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Crying will mostly stop on its own after a while.
Why Do Babies Cry a Lot?
It might be hard to find out why babies cry often. Babies usually cry for the following reasons:
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Hungry.
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Uncomfortable.
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Frustrated.
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Wet or soiled diaper.
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Overstimulation due to noise or activity.
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Pain or illness.
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Colic, acid reflux, or food allergies.
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Lonely.
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Tired.
Most of the cries can be resolved by feeding or through a diaper change. It is fine to pick up a baby and console them in their hands as they feel secure and reassured. Picking up the babies does not mean spoiling them.
What Is Colic?
Colic is when a healthy, normal-growing baby cries for a long time for no specific reason. Colicky babies cry for at least three hours a day which occurs a minimum of three days a week and continues for three weeks to three months. The cause is unknown and clears by three months of age. Colic is temporary and does not affect the baby’s development.
What Are the Ways to Soothe a Crying Baby?
If the baby continues to cry even though they are well fed, warm, and dry, the following techniques can be used:
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Rocking the baby in the arms or swaying them from side to side.
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Stroking the head gently or patting the back or chest.
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Swaddling (wrapping the baby snugly in a blanket) in a safe way.
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Playing soft music.
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Gentle massages.
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Singing a lullaby or talking.
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Rhythmic vibration or white noise.
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Burping the baby to relieve the gas.
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Warms baths before sleep.
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Walking the baby in a stroller or in the arms.
When all the above methods fail, the baby can be left alone for a while in a safe place like a crib without anything around the baby. Many babies may cry to fall asleep and may eventually sleep after a while. If the child is tired, the crying should not last for a longer duration. Colic in breastfed babies can be a sign of sensitivity or allergy to food in the mother’s diet. Changes in the mother’s diet, slow feeding, and burping the baby can help with crying. Illnesses such as fever can also make the baby cry. If the rectal temperature is 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or more, it could indicate an infection. A pediatrician (child specialist) should be consulted.
What Are the Five S for Soothing a Baby?
The five S’ of soothing a baby are:
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Swaddling: Swaddling means wrapping a baby in a soft blanket in a tight but safe fit. Research shows that babies who are swaddled sleep longer than un-swaddled ones. This is because the snug fit mimics the position of the babies in the womb. This also prevents the baby from waking up suddenly and getting startled due to sounds or movements and moving their little arms. This is called the Moro reflex.
Swaddling is done by laying the baby on a soft blanket or a fabric that is folded into a diamond shape. One side of the fabric is folded and tucked under the baby’s arm. The bottom is lifted and the fabric is tucked in. The second side is folded and the end is tucked into the fabric wrapped around the baby’s back. Swaddling should not be tight, especially around the hips and the legs. The baby should not be dressed in too many warm layers while swaddling and swaddling must not be done when the baby begins to roll.
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Side-Stomach Position: Research shows that babies who sleep on their tummies sleep for longer durations and do not respond quickly to sounds. However, this poses a risk for Sudden Infant Syndrome (SIDS- it is the sudden, unexplained, and unexpected death of an otherwise healthy baby). Holding the babies supine (face upward) triggers the calming mechanism and soothes them. The baby can be held on their tummy or the side and can be laid on the shoulder or across the forearm with the hand supporting the head. Once the baby falls asleep, it must be ensured that they are laid down on their backs.
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Shush Technique: The baby inside the womb is used to many sounds such as the rhythmic breathing and the pumping circulation of the mother, the rumbling of the digestive system, and the muffled sound on the outside. Making the "shhh" sound resembles the blended sounds in the womb and soothes the baby. Besides, controlled inhalation and exhalation breathing sounds can alter the baby’s heartbeats and improve their sleep.
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Swing: Movements can calm a crying baby to a great extent. Research in both humans and animals shows that babies carried around by their moms tend to stop crying. Swinging can be done by supporting the baby’s head and neck and swaying them back and forth about an inch with a little bounce.
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Suck: Sucking is one of the basic reflexes that begins in the womb as early as 14 weeks. Babies enjoy and are calmed by sucking even if they are not feeding. This is called non-nutritive sucking. A pacifier can be used to stop crying. Some parents may worry that using a pacifier can become a habit but habits are not developed till 6 months of age.
What Are the Baby-Holding Positions to Stop Them From Crying?
Various baby-holding positions are:
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The ‘Hold’ Technique: One of the popular baby-holding positions to soothe a crying baby is the ‘hold technique’ introduced by an American pediatrician (child specialist) named Dr. Robert Hamilton. This technique comprises four simple steps as follows:
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The baby’s arms are folded across their chest.
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The arms are secured gently.
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The baby’s diaper area is grasped or gently held before the final step.
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Rocking the baby at an angle of 45 degrees.
The parent or the caretaker holds the baby in one hand around the baby’s chest and the other hand grasps the baby’s diaper area while gently rocking them back and forth. This position is effective in two to three months old babies as it recreates the environment inside the womb and makes the baby feel secure.
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The Cradle-Carry: This position involves bending both elbows at 45 degrees and positioning the baby’s head in the crook of one arm and supporting the back with both forearms. This is followed by gently rocking or bouncing the baby. The cradle-carry technique can make the baby comfortable as they can see their parent’s or caretaker’s face.
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The Football Hold: This method puts mild pressure on the baby’s tummy and helps to relieve gas. The baby is held with the face facing downwards along one forearm and using the crook of the arm to support the neck. The other arm is placed between the baby’s legs to support the lower body.
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Over-The-Shoulder Hold: In this position, the baby’s stomach is held against the shoulder and the head and neck are let to drape over it. The head must be supported with the hand till the baby gains control over it. This position also helps to relieve gas.
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Heart-To-Heart Hold: The baby is held vertically with the head resting on the chest close to the heart and swayed from side to side.
What Are the Strategies to Be Avoided When the Baby Is Crying?
The common strategies to be avoided are:
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Inserting a pacifier immediately after the baby begins to cry. This can shield the exact reason for the baby’s cries.
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Feeding every time the baby cries without ensuring that the baby is hungry or not can conceal other reasons for crying. This can also lead to overeating and can make the babies think that eating is the only way to comfort themselves while crying.
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Too many soothing techniques should not be tried at once. It may take some time for the baby to get adapted to a soothing position. Changing techniques can irritate and agitate the baby.
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A crying baby should not be shaken violently to stop them from crying as it can cause Shaken Baby Syndrome (a serious brain injury as a consequence of shaking the infant or toddler forcefully).
Conclusion
Crying is normal in babies. No parent or caretaker can console the baby every time they cry and this does not mean ‘bad parenting’. Babies at times cry for no reason. It can be frustrating to see the babies cry continuously. In such situations, parents can leave the baby safely in a crib without any objects surrounding them or hand over them to a family member and take a short break and relax.
