Why Babies Cry
Provided by Healthy Start, Grow Smart
Newborns communicate through crying. Your new baby cries to let you know she needs
or wants something.
The first thing to try when she cries is to feed her. By noticing when she wants to be fed and when she doesn't, you will learn which cries mean that she is hungry, uncomfortable or wants attention. Sometimes she will want to be held. Sometimes she wants a dry diaper. Sometimes she is tired or bored.
As you and your baby get to know each other, you will eventually be able to tell
the difference between each kind of crying. You can then try to give her what she
needs.
Responding to your baby when she cries will not spoil her. It will help your baby
feel loved and secure.
Smile, touch and talk to your baby as often as possible. Do this when you feed her,
change her diaper or give her a bath. Your baby will learn that she can rely on
you to take care of her.
Ways to Soothe Your Baby
Sometimes babies cry even when they have been fed, changed and are healthy. If your
baby is crying because she needs comfort, there are many things you can do.
Here are things you can try to best determine what calms your baby.
- Rock your baby in your arms or while sitting in a rocking chair.
- Stroke your baby's head very gently, or lightly pat her back or chest.
- Make soft noises, such as cooing, to let your baby know you are there and you care.
Talk to your baby.
- Sing softly to your baby or play soft music.
- Wrap her up snugly — but not too tightly — in a baby blanket.
Every baby is different. If your baby continues to cry after you have tried everything,
stay calm. Babies sense when you are upset. Most importantly, no matter how stressed
you are, never shake your baby. Shaking your baby can cause blindness, brain damage
or even death. If you need a break, call a relative, neighbor or friend to help.
All babies cry. You will not be able to comfort your baby every time; that does
not mean you are a bad parent.
One simple tip to help your baby cry less is to carry her. Research shows that babies
who are carried more often don't cry as much as other babies.
Healthy Start, Grow Smart: U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department
of Education and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
