Newborn’s Tears- The Why’s of Infant Cries

What a miracle!

My first daughter was born at 2:14 P.M. on a Friday afternoon.  The Doctor slapped her, and she started crying.  Then, she didn’t stop crying for the next six months…At least it seemed that way to me, the new mother of one.  She would fuss frequently and I didn’t really know what to do in order to help calm her down.  That’s when I decided I wanted to educate myself more on infant’s needs, and how to effectively provide for them.

Because crying is a newborn’s only form of communication, a baby will cry when they are hungry, tired, or when they just feel like fussing.  Crying helps them to achieve their agenda of having their needs fulfilled. It also creates an avenue for them to vent a little emotion.

I found several books on children’s sleep habits which helped me to recognize that most babies need a schedule of eating and sleeping.  A newborn needs to eat every 2.5-4 hours.  Newborns should also nap between each feeding. If their needs for sleep and food are met and they are still fussy or crying, baby is most likely either uncomfortable or just needs to fuss.

Crying: Should I Wait It Out or Worry About It?

Don’t worry that picking up and comforting your infant will spoil them.  The American Academy of pediatrics advises, “Respond promptly to your infant whenever he cries during the first few months.  You cannot spoil a young baby by giving him attention.â€? However, it should also be noted that many doctors indicate that as long as the babies basic needs are met, and there is nothing inherently wrong with the child’s health or wellness, then it’s also not harmful to let the child “cry it out”, and learn to calm themself down.

After reading up on the reasons for my little girls fussiness and talking to my pediatrician, I was able to implement a sleep plan that worked for me and my daughter.  Her fussiness continued, but it was lessened and predictable because I had learned the why’s of infant cries. 

Baby Schedules: Recommended Reading

I recommend that all new parents find a few good books on sleeping and schedules for baby.  Look on the web or at your local library under child care or baby sleep.  Here are a few personal recommendations: dry your eyes and read up.

“On Becoming Baby Wise: Giving Your Infant the Gift of Nighttime Sleep� by Gary Ezzo and Robert Bucknam

“Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child� by Marc Weissbluth

“The No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night�
by Elizabeth Pantley and William Sears

“The Happiest Baby on the Block: The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Newborn Baby Sleep Longer�  by Harvey Md Karp

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