Newborns go through so many changes and developments in their first weeks of life. And while all these changes are going on, their only way to communicate their needs with you is through crying – it’s how they’ll communicate their thirst, hunger, drowsiness, pain and even fear. While these reasons can be easily gauged as you get to know your baby, there are times when the babies cry incessantly, for what might seem like no reason.
So Why Do Babies Cry?
Other than the reasons stated above babies usually resort to crying when they feel uncomfortable and need immediate attention. Some of the common explanation behind a baby’s cries are-
- When the baby is overtired
- When the baby wants to be held
- When the baby is suffering from stomach irritations
- When the baby needs a burping
- When the baby is feeling too hot or too cold
- When the baby becomes sensitive to one or more pieces of her clothing
- When the baby is teething
- When the baby is overstimulated
- When there is little or no stimulation around the baby
- When the baby is sick
Grandma Suggested Remedies for Crying Babies
When your baby cries and you’re not sure why, you might feel a little helpless. While family members can be the worst when it comes to giving unsolicited advice, we’ve listed some suggestions from Grandmothers below that are actually pretty genius – even the experts agree! Here’s their advice for soothing a fussy baby:
Grandma says: Give her a frozen washcloth to chew on – it’ll help her while she’s teething.
Experts say: Great idea! Teething can be especially painful for little ones, but we can always see it when it’s happening. There’s lots of teething toys out there, but in a pinch a frozen washcloth or even your finger will help soothe her gums.
Grandma says: Rub petroleum jelly on her face and around her mouth to soothe any irritation from drool.
Experts say: Parents are usually on the lookout for diaper rash and might overlook rashes in other areas around the face and neck from excessive drool. Baby’s skin is very sensitive, so make sure you’re addressing any irritation quickly.
Grandma says: Swaddle, swaddle swaddle!
Experts say: Your baby just spent 9 months in the comfort of the womb – so the outside world can be pretty overwhelming. Swaddling can help recreate the womb environment by keeping them wrapped up tight and will help keep your baby from getting overstimulated. Swaddling has also been shown to help extend your baby’s sleep cycle – so they’ll sleep better too!
Grandma says: Put them to bed as soon as they start yawning – don’t let them get overtired to keep her from getting fussy!
Experts say: An overtired baby is MUCH harder to soothe. Take note of your baby’s sleepiness cues – yawning, drowsy looks, droopy eyes, etc. and put them down as soon as they start to avoid getting them overtired.
Grandma says: Bring him into a darker, quieter room, especially if you’re in public or have other things going on at the house where there’s lots of distractions.
Experts say: Your baby’s environment plays a huge role in their behaviour and reactions. When you’re trying to get them to calm down, it’s best to take them to an area with minimal distractions so they’re not overwhelmed.
Grandma says: Sometimes it’s just a little burb trapped in your baby’s belly. If they’re getting really fussy, especially if you fed them not too long ago, just try burping them!
Experts say: Whether you’re choosing to breastfeed or bottle fed, make sure you’re burping your baby after every feed. If you think air might be trapped, rub their back or belly gentle for about 3 minutes to relieve any excess gas.
Grandma says: Fussy babies love a relaxing bath!
Experts say: Bath time can also remind your baby of the womb environment – but it’s not for every baby. If your baby does enjoy bath time, a warm bath might help her when she’s feeling especially fussy.
Grandma says: Put them to bed as soon as they start yawning – don’t let them get overtired to keep her from getting fussy!
Experts say: An overtired baby is MUCH harder to soothe. Take note of your baby’s sleepiness cues – yawning, drowsy looks, droopy eyes, etc. and put them down as soon as they start to avoid getting them overtired.
Grandma says: Cut out the tags from clothes – they rub up against their skin and makes babies get fussy.
Experts say: Since a baby’s skin is sensitive, tags on clothes can irritate them. You can definitely cut them out, but make sure to save any important washing info or warning labels.
Grandma says: Remember to check their temperature, they could be coming down with something.
Experts say: It’s always a good idea to check in with your pediatrician if you think something might be wrong. Use your mother’s intuition! If you think your baby is running a fever or might be ill, call your doctor.