Coping With Crying - Nine Reasons a Baby Cries

A child who constantly cries can be very worrying tominutes. Swaddling the baby in a shawl may also help.
new parents, but often the cause is much simpler7 - Colic: Regular evening crying could be a sign of
than you think. Here are nine reasons why a babycolic, which is sometimes caused by wind. Burp the
cries, could one of them be the cause of your child'sbaby by placing it stomach down in your knee which
tears?stroking up the back towards the head. Give warm,
1 - Hunger or thirst: Even if a baby has been fedboiled water in a bottle to help bring up wind. Keep a
recently, it may still want more. Or it may be thirsty.record of your diet if you are breastfeeding, or of
If the weather is hot or your house is warm try cool,food given to the baby if not. It may be that a
boiled water.particular ingredient is causing the trouble. If problems
2 - Heat or cold: Are the baby's clothes right for thepersist, see your doctor or health visitor. Colic nearly
weather?always disappears by the time the baby is three
3 - Wet nappy: Check to see if it's time for a change.months old.
4 - Tiredness: Put the baby to bed or rock it to sleep8 - Boredom: Play with your baby and give it plenty
in your arms.of stimulation; even tiny babies love simple games
5 - In need of comfort: Try breastfeeding or talkingsuch as peek-a-boo.
with eye contact.9 - Teething: Buy a water filled teething ring and cool
6 - Irritable mood: Sing to your baby and rock itit down in the fridge before giving it to the baby to
gently in your arms. Take it for a ride in the car, orchew. Rubbing the baby's gums with a clean finger
out in the pram or baby sling. If it's still fractious, trymay also be soothing, or giving chewable foods such
a gentle massage with baby lotion, or turn on aas rusks. If the baby is still in pain, try applying a
vacuum cleaner, radio or hairdryer; background noiseteething gel.
can be soothing and can send a baby to sleep with