Taking care of a crying baby can be a challenge for parents, especially in the first few months after bringing baby home. All babies cry, and surprisingly, there isn't always a specific reason for their crying. It's okay to not know why your baby is crying, to guess why, and to try again if they continue to cry.
Babies tend to cry the most between 1 and 2 months old, and they often go through a more colicky phase that peaks around 6 weeks. "Colic" is a word we use to describe infants who cry for long periods, and these periods can come and go unexpectedly without knowing why. It might look like the baby is in pain even when they're not, and they might not stop crying no matter what you try. During these times, remember this phase will come to an end after a few months.
When you're not sure why your baby is crying, you can try this step-by-step approach to identify the reason and try to calm them:
- Are they hungry?
- Do they need a diaper change?
- Do they need a nap?
- What is baby trying to say?
- Are they overstimulated, tired or bored?
- Is something else wrong?
- Try calming measures.
- Take a break.
When you aren’t sure why baby is crying, sometimes it’s helpful to step back and think, “Could something else be going on with my baby or the environment we’re in?” This could be something as simple as baby needs to burp or baby too hot or cold to baby having a fever. You could also ask a family member or friend for ideas that you might not have thought of.
There are many calming measures you can try to help soothe your baby. These could include:
- Positions your baby likes, such as in your arms, swaddled or on the floor on a blanket.
- Movement your baby likes, such as rocking or bouncing.
- Sounds your baby likes, such as music or reading.
- Things your baby likes to suck on, such as a pacifier.
- Touch your baby likes, such as massages or belly rubs.
- Distracting your baby with a toy, game or looking out the window.
However, there may be times when these comfort measures don’t work, and your baby continues to cry. At this point it may be time to take a break. Remind yourself that feeling uncomfortable when caring for a crying baby is normal. Remember you’re not alone and check in on yourself. Identify what it feels like when you are becoming stressed and what you can do to soothe yourself in that situation. It is perfectly healthy to put a crying baby in a safe crib while you take a short break to mentally re-group.
If you have specific questions or concerns about crying, contact a Prevea Pediatrician.