Newborn Baby Crying

How to determine what your baby needs

A newborn baby comes into the world with only one means of communication: crying. First-time parents often have a hard time when they hear their newborn baby crying determining what the problem is.  However, there are several basic infant needs that the new parent can check.  Any one of them, or a combination of them, can be the reason the newborn baby is crying.   

First, check to see if the baby's diaper is wet or soiled.  That can make an infant very uncomfortable.  Often, a diaper change will solve the problem.  However, a newborn baby may continue crying hard during a diaper change, usually because being uncovered can be quite uncomfortable.  Do the change as quickly and efficiently as possible then cover the baby back up with a blanket or clothing.

Being too hot or too cold could be the reason the newborn baby is crying. Check to see if he is too hot.  If the baby's skin is very red, or if he is sweating, he may need to have his clothing or bedding adjusted to cool him off. If he seems cold add another blanket or layer of clothing. It's very important to keep a newborn baby's temperature right. A wall thermometer will help you maintain the correct room temperature for your newborn.

Often, the most soothing thing for a newborn baby is to be held close by a parent.  This was discouraged in times past, but now we know that it is not possible to hold an infant too much; babies cannot be "spoiled" by lots of love and attention.  If your newborn baby is crying then you should pick him up.

Is the baby hungry?  Perhaps he needs to nurse or have a bottle.  Offer a feeding.  Babies need to eat frequently, as they are growing rapidly.  Feeding soothes and comforts a newborn infant.  Incidentally, a newborn baby will never overeat; so do not worry about overfeeding.  He will stop crying when his hunger is satisfied.

After feeding, gas will develop, due to the immaturity of an newborn’s digestive system and the intake of air during a feed.  If the newborn baby cries after eating it could mean he needs burping.  Place the baby so that he is against your chest, with his chin on your shoulder.  Supporting him, pat him gently on the back to see if he needs to burp.  This can take a little time. Sometimes, walking the baby in this position can help soothe him.  Remember, he was used to movement in the womb.  Another way to help relieve gas is to sit the baby with the palm of your hand against his stomach, and the infant leaning up against that hand.  Pat gently on the back to see if that helps the baby to expel air. 

Newborn babies like to be swaddled in a small blanket.  Swaddling means that the blanket is wrapped around the baby's body fairly tightly so that the arms are held close to the body.  Remember that the baby was all curled up inside the womb not so long ago, so the feeling of being in a cocoon is comforting. There are easy ways to fold a blanket and wrap it around a baby so that the baby is comfortably swaddled.  Always make sure that the head and neck are not wrapped in the blanket!

If you have checked your baby's temperature, changed his diaper, fed and burped him or swaddled him, but he is still crying, you can try making a rhythmic "Shhhh" sound near the baby's ear.  It’s comforting for the baby as it sounds like being in the womb, and can help him to settle down.  The overwhelming sounds in the room could be the cause of the newborn baby's crying.

All of these techniques can be helpful for soothing a crying newborn baby.  However, if you suspect that the baby is sick or in pain, or if he won't stop crying after trying all of these things, check with your baby's pediatrician. Always trust your instincts.