Courtesy
of Baby Care Basics
by Dr. Jeremy Friedman, Dr. Natasha Saunders, with Dr. Norman Saunders © 2015 www.robertrose.ca Reprinted with publisher permission.
Available where books are sold.
Interpreting Crying
As parents, we are often sleep-deprived and
worried, which makes interpretation very challenging at times. Use these
questions to try to identify why your baby might be crying:
1. Are
you hungry? Most babies will cry when they are hungry. Your baby may put his
hand to his mouth, suck vigorously on a finger or pacifier, smack his lips, or
root. Try offering your baby a feed.
2. Do you
need a diaper change? Babies vary in how long they will tolerate a wet or
soiled diaper. Some will want to be changed right away; others don’t seem to
notice. A clean diaper will quickly resolve crying as a result of a dirty
bottom.
3. Are
you tired? Babies need a lot of rest, but often have difficulty soothing
themselves to sleep. They will often fuss, cry, and become agitated or
inconsolable when they need to sleep, especially if they are overtired.
4. Do
you want to be held? Babies love to be held close in order to feel, hear, and
smell their caregivers. Many people worry about spoiling a baby by carrying
them too much, but you cannot spoil a baby with attention in the first few
months of life.
5. Is
your tummy bothering you? Gas can make an infant uncomfortable. Infants may
pull up their legs, pass gas, or strain and grunt when passing stool. Try
placing your baby on his belly, moving his legs back and forth in a bicycling
motion, or giving him a gentle tummy massage.
6. Do
you need to burp? Crying that occurs during or after a feed can be due to gas
or liquid and stomach acid traveling back up the esophagus. Babies can swallow
a lot of air while breast- or bottle-feeding and may need to burp during or
after feeding. Some babies burp spontaneously, but others need help to do so.
7. Are
you too warm or cold? Babies may feel too hot or too cold, and are very
sensitive to being over- or underdressed. Generally, one light layer more
than what an adult is wearing will keep a baby comfortable.
8. Are
you in pain? Little things that can be hard to spot may be causing pain. Your
baby may have a small cut or abrasion that is difficult to see, or a rough tag
or stitching on clothing may be causing him discomfort.
9. Are
you teething? In general, the first tooth arrives between 6 and 10 months, but
there is huge variation. Teething pain may be relieved by over-the-counter pain
medication, including acetaminophen, or by providing a cool, clean cloth or
teething ring for your baby to chew on.
10. Do
you need stimulation or a break? The sights, sounds, sensations, and smells of
the world outside the womb are all new to a baby. Sometimes a baby
may want to experience more of what is around him and he’ll cry to
tell you he needs more stimulation. Other times, a baby may cry to tell you
there is too much going on and he needs a break. Finding the right amount of
stimulation for your baby is a learning process, and that amount will
change as your baby grows.
11. Are
you sick? Babies may cry to tell you they are feeling sick. A sick baby may be
less active, may not want to feed or may feed less, or may have a fever.
Trust your instincts, because you know your baby best. If you suspect your
baby is sick, talk to your doctor.
DR. JEREMY FRIEDMAN, MB.ChB, FR CPC, FAAP, is the Chief of Paediatric
Medicine at the Hospital for Sick Children and a Professor of Paediatrics at
the University of Toronto.
DR. NATASHA SAUNDERS, MD, MSc, FR CPC, is a pediatrician at
the Hospital for Sick Children and the mom of two small children.
Find
more information on how to care for your baby in Baby Care Basics.
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