Babies communicate in their early life by crying. Babies will cry a lot in the first three months. Babies cry when they want to be held, fed, uncomfortable, or in pain. They also cry when overstimulated, bored, tired, or frustrated. Babies' cries become more communicative as they grow: after three months, babies will have different types of cries for different needs. Some researchers believe that different crying sounds communicate different needs, even in newborns. Even if you're not sure what kind of cry you hear, you should always respond to a baby's cry. Reacting quickly to babies is fundamental to their development.
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Part 1 of 2: Understanding Normal Crying
Step 1. Learn the “hungry” cry
Babies who are ready to be fed may begin to cry quietly and slowly. The cry will increase in volume, become loud and rhythmic. Each cry may sound short and low-pitched. A hungry cry is a signal to feed the baby, unless you have just fed your baby and are sure that the baby does not need to eat anymore.
Step 2. Learn the cry of “pain”
Babies who are in pain may cry suddenly. The cry may be high-pitched and rough. Each cry will sound loud, short, and piercing. This cry is done to communicate the urgency! If you hear cries of pain, act immediately. Look for open diaper buttons or broken fingers. If nothing happens, try to calm the baby. The pain will pass and the baby needs comfort.
- If the baby's back is arched and the tummy is hard, a cry of pain could be caused by gas. Calm the baby and hold him in an upright position when feeding him to limit the appearance of stomach gas.
- If your baby's eyes are red, swollen, or tearing, call the doctor. There may be a scratch or something in the eye like an eyelash, which causes pain.
- In the case of a prolonged cry of pain, the baby may experience pain or injury. Call the doctor if your baby cries louder when held or cradled, especially if you detect a fever. If your baby under three months has a fever (38 degrees Celsius) call the doctor right away, even if he is not fussy.
Step 3. Learn the fussy cry
The fussy cry is soft and the volume can start and stop or go up and down. A fussy cry can increase in volume if you ignore it, so don't hesitate to soothe your baby when he is fussy. A fussy cry can communicate discomfort or the baby just wants to be held. Babies often fuss at the same time every day, usually around 4-5 pm or 5 pm-7 pm.
- Babies cry fussy when they want to be held. Newborns are often fussy to be held, because they are used to being in a narrow womb.
- Check for a fussy baby's diaper. A fussy cry can indicate a wet diaper or dirt.
- Check his temperature. Babies can be fussy because they feel too hot or too cold.
- Fussy crying can mean frustration. Babies are fussy when they can't sleep.
- A fussy cry can mean that the baby is overstimulated or under-stimulated. Newborns sometimes cry to avoid stimulation. Try adjusting the light source, music volume, or baby's position.
- Don't worry too much if your newborn doesn't stop fussing when you soothe him. Some babies will be fussy for a long time in the first three months of life.
Part 2 of 2: Understanding the Old Cry
Step 1. Recognize normal and prolonged crying
If you have examined your baby who is hungry, in pain and discomfort, and has calmed him down, he may continue to cry. Sometimes babies just need to cry, especially in the first three months. A normal, prolonged cry sounds like a normal fussy cry. The baby may be overstimulated or have excessive energy.
Normal, prolonged crying occurs in certain cases. Don't mistake it for colic, when the baby cries for no reason at least a few times a week
Step 2. Find out the colic cry
Babies with colic will cry loudly for no reason. The cries are anguished and often high-pitched. The cry sounded like a cry of pain. Babies can show signs of physical stress: clenching their fists, bending their legs, and their tummy hardening. Babies may pass gas or poop in their diaper at the end of a colic cry.
- Colic crying occurs for a minimum of three hours a day, more than three days per week, for a minimum of three weeks.
- Unlike normal, prolonged crying, colic cries tend to occur at the same time each day, at the time of normal fussy crying.
- Try noting when the baby cries and how long the baby cries for a long time. Consult a doctor if you are not sure whether your baby is crying because of colic or not.
- The cause of colic is unknown. There is no proven drug to cure it. Calm a colic baby and hold him in an upright position while breastfeeding to limit the development of gas.
- Babies no longer cry because of colic after three or four months. Colic has no lasting disease effect on the health or growth of the baby.
Step 3. Recognize abnormal crying
Some crying can be an indication that something is really wrong. An abnormal cry can be very high-pitched, up to three times as high as a normal baby's cry. The cry can also be of an unusually low pitch. A persistent high or low cry may indicate a severe illness. If your baby's cries sound strange, call the doctor.
- If the baby falls or bumps and cries abnormally, call the doctor immediately.
- If your baby is crying abnormally and moving or eating less than usual, he or she needs to be seen by a doctor.
- Call your doctor if you notice unusual, rapid, or heavy breathing, or movements that your baby doesn't normally make.
- Call an ambulance if the baby's face turns blue, especially the mouth.
