“It’s a girl!”
How I love the sound of that! I love babies, especially baby-girls! So, here, I will assume your baby is a girl!
WHY BABIES CRY!
She cries because…
#1:SHE IS HUNGRY.
Always think about this first. She sucks or smacks her lips. She puts her hand in her mouth. Touch her cheeks, and she turns her head towards your hand. Mummy, baby is starving!
#2: SHE IS IN PAIN.
When breast-fed, she sucks air along with the milk. It causes tummy cramps and discomfort. She cries. Inconsolable. For hours, and sometimes, for days. Learn correct breast-feeding posture and technique. After breast-feeding, hold her upright, and gently rub or pat her back; she might burp or belch. See your doctor.
#3: SHE IS TIRED.
It is difficult for some babies to simply go to sleep! She is tired, but the environment is too distracting to allow for some sleep. She yawns. She stares blankly. She cries. Hold her close. Talk to her softly. Rock her. Sing a lullaby. Make a hissing “shhhh…” sound. Good night, baby.
#4: SHE IS SICK.
Her body is hot. She doesn’t feed like before. You have done all you know, and she still cries. And you notice that the sound and the way she cries is quite unusual. Aunty, she wants to pay the Pediatrician a visit! Let’s go there!
#5: SHE HATES THE WEATHER!
She doesn’t like extremes of temperatures — too hot and too cold. She might bear the heat, but she will scream when it is chilly. She cries when she’s undressed or over-dressed. Adjust.
#6: SHE FEELS DIRTY!
Yes, the wet and sticky diapers, soiled with wee-wee and poo-poo, makes her uncomfortable (and she feels dirty!). It irritates her; she cries. SOS! Call the Dad to come change the diapers!
#7: SHE IS TEETHING!
When those hard stones (called teeth) push through her soft tender gums, trying to erupt, it causes pain. It itches. She might become feverish. She cries. Don’t just give her drugs; give me a call!
#8: SHE IS LONELY!
Babies love to be cuddled; they enjoy physical contact. They loved being touched and stimulated. They sometimes cry when they want to be held. Get a wrapper. Buy a front-carrier or a back-pack. Take a stroll. Touch is spiritual.
#9: SHE WANTS TO CRY!
Exactly! Babies sometimes cry for no obvious reason! Don’t worry; it’s normal. However, do a thorough check of all the common causes of crying. And they love crying in the evenings! But why?
I don’t know.
