Child Behavior - Why is Your Baby Crying and How Can You Stop It?

Of course your baby, or the one you are caring for, cries occasionally. But beyond the obvious reasons of hunger or a need to burp, why is she crying and what can you to get a crying baby to stop? Here are clues to deciphering a baby's cries and possible solutions.

Other reasons why your baby is crying 

1. "I'm hot!" New parents, doting grandparents or overzealous babysitters sometimes overdress a baby for the home or a stroll outdoors. Why it's obvious you don't want your baby to get chilled, the most common mistake in dressing an infant is to over-do it. It's not necessary to have on long sleeves and pants, socks, shoes, hat and then blanket wrap indoors unless it is truly cold inside. The same goes for outside. The best way to avoid over-heating a baby is to dress him in layers. Gauge his body temperature by feeling his tummy or back (cheeks or feet may always seem cool so don't use those as indicators) and then add or deduct clothes appropriately.



2. "I'm overstimulated!" Too much commotion, movement, lights or sounds can totally stress out a young baby to the point of having an "infant meltdown." While you should involve a baby in everyday routines and schedules, watch her coping skills in overly-hectic situations, and if she seems to the breaking point, help her to calm down by taking her to a quiet room with less distractions. Well-meaning parents often overstimulate their youngster with too many selections of toys or educational activities. You can avoid this by introducing one activity or toy at a time, and then watching her reaction.



3. "I'm uncomfortable." Car seats, strollers, baby carriers and more may be designed for babies but they are necessarily comfortable. Your baby may tire in being in a certain position, have clothes bunched up their back, or be situated in too-tight of safety straps. Babies may also dislike clothing labels or certain clothing materials (some cute appliques or designs may irritate delicate skin). You can help avoid this by checking clothes and straps at the start, and then pick your baby up and let him stretch out on occasion.



4. "I feel ignored!" Babies crave attention, and most are social creatures. As babies become aware that they are a separate small human being, they may become more insistent in being around their beloved caregivers. Since they can't call out for mom or dad or even nana by name, all they can do is cry. You can help by showing your baby that out of sight doesn't mean you're away, and that you are within earshot. Offer plenty of love and reassurance during this adjustment period, and consider placing baby during the daytime where he can observe your actions and just have peace of mind that you are nearby.



5. "I'm bored!" As your baby grows, she will quickly become more curious about her world and want to experience as many things as possible. That's why so many babies are content just to be carried around from room to room while a caregiver does different activities. But since carrying your child everywhere isn't always an option (nor should it be), keep in mind that babies have short attention spans and may want new stimulation and things to see frequently. So, you might avoid howls by rotating a baby's placement in the house from a bouncer to a swing or in a front-pack with you and so on.



6. "I'm exhausted!" Babies need sleep. Lots and lots of sleep. So, if you're a parent or caregiver on the go and traipsing a wee one with you on all sorts of errands, chances are that he will begin to let you know about it. Babies can sleep under many environments, but sometimes a quiet sleep in their own bed does wonders for their mood!



7. "I'm colicky!"If your baby continues to whail after being checked out for all the above possible reasons (including hunger and burping), it's possible that your baby may have the dreaded colic.