Love at First Cry | Find out why babies cry and learn of tips to handle the tears

According to experts, babies cry anywhere between 1 and 4 hours a day.

So, here’s what you need to know to keep those soft whimpers and loud wails at bay.

Grab a tissue, because Greendigo is about to give you the details.

Reasons for Baby Cries

All babies cry, and they do so to express themselves. Since they cannot talk, this is their primary form of communication. As a parent, it’s up to you to decode your baby’s unique cry. Call it a sixth sense or maternal/paternal instinct, but there’s no one better than you to make sense of that screech. And boy, can they be varied.

Here are some of the main tear triggers.

1. Hunger
2. Sleepiness
3. Gas (digestive issues)
4. Body temperature (too hot or too cold)
5. Overstimulation (bright lights, loud noises, lots of activity, too many people)
6. Overfeeding    
7. Neediness (wanting to be held, cuddled)
8. Pain or discomfort (teething, allergies)
9. Fear or stress
10. Uncomfortable attire (tight and itchy clothing)
11. Soiled diaper
12. Colic (bouts of inconsolable crying for no apparent reason)

Please contact your healthcare provider if your baby suffers from trigger number 12.

Types of Cries

Generally speaking, there are four types of cries, however, some may choose to bifurcate them further.

Greendigo urges you to look out for these.

Hungry Cry

Newborn babies usually feed every few hours. 8 to 12 times a day on average. Crying can therefore be a late sign of hunger. A telling gesture is when they smack their lips. The crying usually stops when you initiate a feeding, with your child calming down instantly. If not addressed, the cry can turn into a loud wailing.

Sleepy Cry

Newborn babies sleep 16 to 18 hours through the day, with only a few periods of wakefulness. A crying baby is, hence, most likely a sleepy baby. Look out for signs such as yawning, eye rubbing, and ear tugging. When babies crave sleep, they will seem fussy and irritable.

Uncomfortable Cry

A baby will cry if they are ill at ease. This could pertain to their attire, the state of their diaper, the environment, as well as the temperature. This cry is usually easier to identify as it happens outside of their sleep and feeding routines.

Scared Cry

A baby can get easily startled by loud noises, stern facial expressions, and sometimes even their own actions like sneezing or coughing. You will be able to easily tell this one apart from the other cries as it will be instantaneous.

Tips to Cope

The best way to soothe those tears is to respond to what your baby needs and here are some ways to achieve this.

1. Swaddle your little one with an organic cotton wrap or blanket.
2. Rock your baby gently in your arms.
3. Pat your baby’s chest or gently stroke their forehead. 
4. Give your baby an infant massage, followed by a warm bath, and tuck in.
5. Change your baby into something light and comfortable.
6. Give your baby a pacifier.
7. Cuddle with your baby.
8. Nurse your baby.
9. Sing to your baby.
10. Allow for some diaper-free time.
11. Dim the lights.
12. Play a lullaby or white noise.

Turn that frown upside down, mamas, because you’ve got what it takes to bid those cries goodbye.