Crying Baby – What to Do About It?

The sight of a crying baby is not uncommon. Babies cry to communicate their feelings about many things; discomfort and displeasure are two common reasons. As children grow, their parents and caregivers teach them how to communicate their feelings, wants, and needs appropriately. While some children are easy to work with and find instant results, others may find it tough to handle.

This article discusses the reasons that may cause crying in babies and share a few tips on dealing with crying babies. We will also let you know whether your child is fussy because they need attention from you or care from the doctor. So, keep reading to know everything!

Infographics: Reasons Why Babies Cry

What Causes Crying in Babies?

Crying babies are never easy to deal with, especially after a long and tiring day. Knowing the many reasons that could cause a baby to cry will help you quickly identify and deal with the problem. Here we have compiled for you a few of the most probable causes for your child crying:

1. Tiredness

When babies become tired, they cry. If you suspect that your little one may be crying due to exhaustion, there are some signs to look out for. Rubbing the eyes, yawning a lot, an inability to maintain eye contact, loss of interest in fun activities, and irritability are some of them. When the little ones are exhausted, they find it difficult to fall asleep. This will naturally result in toddlers crying.

2. Hunger

A baby’s body reacts similarly to an adult’s body when they are hungry. Going for an extended period without eating anything may cause a drop in blood pressure levels. This will release cortisol and adrenaline, resulting in a person or baby becoming what we now call “hangry.” This happens when a person is angry and hungry or angry due to hunger. The only way for a baby to make their “hangry” feelings known is to cry.

3. Overstimulation

Children can only take in a certain amount of stimulation in their environment. When they have exhausted their ability to cope, the only thing left for them to do is cry in frustration and fatigue. Your child may try to corner themselves or hide behind you as a way of limiting or avoiding the stimuli. The extent to which each child can cope depends on the individual child.

4. Discomfort and Pain

Babies have limited ability when it comes to communication. They are also unable to process certain things fully. If your baby is in some discomfort due to their clothing, position, environment, or even pain, they are bound to become fussy and cry.

5. Fear

When a child cries in fear, the cry will be sudden and loud. It will often come as a response to an external factor, such as a loud noise or the face of a stranger. Babies can also cry in response to nightmares, and as they grow and understand more concepts, they can even cry at the thought of losing someone they love.

6. Separation Anxiety

Anxiety is very normal, and babies begin to experience it between 18 months of age and three years of age. Separation anxiety is the most common and well-known form of anxiety seen in children. This appears when a child has to be away from their primary and secondary caregivers.

7. Disappointment

For children, the smallest thing can seem life-changing. If your child does not find their favorite toy, it could seem like the end of the world to them. This could result in them having a breakdown.

8. Emotions

Babies have a limited understanding of their emotions, and the only way to express themselves sometimes is to cry. A baby may cry when lonely, and as a baby grows and understands more, may even cry as a result of something bad that they have done, or if they feel empathy for others.

9. Attention Seeking

Babies love attention, and if they are not getting enough of it, it could result in crying. They know well enough from experience that when they cry, someone comes to see them. Understanding when a baby is crying for attention is easy enough as a baby is quite easily calmed when someone goes to them.

10. Medical Disorders

Excessive crying is more likely to be caused by one of the reasons discussed above than a medical condition. However, children do get sick, and when they do, they cry. While some medical reasons can be a cold or a scratch, there are sometimes more serious medical reasons that you will need to look deeper into with your doctor.

How Do You Stop a Child From Crying?

Handling a baby crying can be stressful, and learning new ways to keep the crying to a minimum can be just what you need. Here are a few ways to stop the habit of crying in children:

1. Remain Calm

It can be easy to become agitated or frustrated when you cannot get your child to stop crying. The treatment of crying children is crucial, so it is important to be intentional about remaining calm. If required, give both of you a few minutes before trying again. Your calm energy will help calm your baby down, and you won’t say or do anything you will regret.

2. Identify the Issue and Deal With It

The logical first step to tackling any problem is to find out what is causing it in the first place, and it is no different when trying to calm crying children. Babies cry when they need something, so if your baby is crying because of discomfort from a dirty diaper, clean her up. If your baby is crying because he is over-stimulated, take him away to a quieter area.

3. Be Intentional With Words

Though infants cannot talk, they learn every moment that they are awake. So, when talking to your baby and trying to calm them down, make sure you avoid saying anything negative, especially if you are upset. This is why it is important to take a breather if you feel like you cannot handle the situation. Use a calming and soothing tone, and only speak positive words. Rather than saying “Stop crying,” say something like, “Let’s get you changed” or “Let’s take a break and try again.”

4. Guide Them Through the Learning

Whether you are dealing with an older child or a toddler, you must help your child learn. If your child is upset and crying that someone has taken their toy, you can use the opportunity to teach your child that sharing is good.

5. Stick to Routines and Schedules

Routines and schedules help when it comes to reducing how much your baby cries. By keeping a consistent schedule, you eliminate the need for your child to cry for basic reasons, such as hunger, tiredness, or boredom.

6. Teach Babies to Use Their Words

Toddlers can use some words to communicate, so don’t be afraid to start encouraging your babies to try using words to tell you what they want, rather than crying about it.

When to Contact the Doctor?

There may be times when nothing you do seems to work, and you cannot console your child. In such cases, it is best to have your child checked by their doctor. Children who cry more than normal may have underlying medical conditions causing the discomfort. Once you know what the problem is, the doctor will be able to aid you in coming up with a plan to help your child.

Crying is just a part of the normal development of a child, and though you may want to move mountains to help your child, it is extremely important to teach your child how to manage their triggers instead. By understanding the cause of the crying, you can help your child learn to identify the problem for themselves and handle it appropriately without crying. Parents are encouraged to allow their children the chance to work through things themselves rather than always stepping in and fixing the problem.

Also Read:

Understanding Infant’s Cry
Is Crying Good for Your Infant?
Why do Infants Cry before Sleeping