Crying in Infancy

What to do when a baby is crying

When unsure of why your baby is crying, try eliminating the sources that you can address:

• Check his physical safety first. Check to see that he is breathing easily and that his fingers, toes, and lips are pink and warm. Check to see he is not in pain and not hungry.
• Check his skin for bleeding, swelling, reddened areas, wetness, rashes, cold fingers and toes, twisted arms or legs, folded earlobes or pinched fingers or toes.
• Check to see that your baby is not too cold or too hot. Check to see whether the diaper needs to be changed.
• Check his surroundings for too much noise, too much light, too much wind, bed clothing not soft enough, and/or inadequate stimulation and interaction.
• Talk to your baby. Hearing your voice can be reassuring.
• Change his position. Turn his head to the other side.
• Hold your baby close to your chest. Sometimes, infants need to experience familiar sensations like the sound of your voice in your chest, your heart beat, the feel of your skin and hands and breath, the smell of your breath and hair, the warmth of your arms and chest, the movement of your body, and the safety and comfort of your hug. For most of human history, babies were held constantly and the absence of a parent meant danger from predators or abandonment. You cannot spoil a baby by holding him or her too much during infancy.
• Try using soft, gentle music for comfort.
• If the crying continues for longer than usual and your baby is not able to be consoled by any of the means listed above, call a health care provider for advice.
• Try to get adequate rest. Exhausted parents are less able to deal with the stresses of caring for a baby. Use the resources of family, friends, or outside care givers to allow yourself time to sleep and recover your energy and interest. This will be helpful for both you and your baby -- it does not mean that you are a bad parent or are abandoning your child. For most of human history, people raised their children in the presence of extended families, so there was less pressure on the mother and father than there is now. The baby's grandparents are often highly helpful, if you let them be. Don't worry that they don't do everything the way you have learned from the latests books or articles-- they managed to raise you to adulthood, after all!
• If the baby's crying is associated with any significant findings such as fever, diarrhea, vomiting, rash, breathing difficulty, or other signs of illness call your physician immediately.