All humans need a language to express themselves and so do their babies. Since babies are too young too talk, crying is the only way to communicate their needs to you. It is their lingua-franca.

Why do babies cry?

Babies may cry for several reasons for instance, when they are hungry, need a change of their nappy, when they are feeling too hot or too cold or when they want the attention of their parents and need to be cuddled. When they are over-stimulated by too much noise, bright colors, unexpected new faces or too much activity they may cry as if saying, ’I have had enough’. Sometimes babies may start crying if they are bored of lying wide awake in their crib alone.

Crying may also accompany the symptoms of an illness like fever, loss of appetite, skin-rash etc. Colic may result in unexplained, high-pitched crying for hours. Babies can become irritable and cry when they are teething.

Calming a crying baby

It is essential to first identify why your baby is crying. If you’ve met your baby’s basic needs and she still continues to cry, you can try pacifying her by adopting one or more of the following:

• Swaddle her in a blanket and hold her close to you. The rhythmic beating of your heart may calm her.
• You can try rocking with your baby either on a rocking chair or while walking or by rocking her cradle.
• Give her a massage or a warm bath.
• If your baby is bored gently pick her up and talk or sing to her.
• Try changing her environment by taking her for a walk in fresh air or driving around in a car with her.

Coping with a crying baby

A crying baby can make its parents anxious and stressed-out. You need to be patient while calming your baby. Try some breathing relaxation techniques or talk to a close friend if you feel the maternal blues. It is good to take a break from caring for your baby by giving the charge to a relative or friend for sometime. This will help to unwind and feel in charge of your life.

However, if you notice something unusual about your baby’s cry you must consult a doctor as it can be an indication of a serious illness.