Coping with Crying

Crying newborn

Congratulations on your baby!

Your days are filled with a baby who eats, sleeps, poops, and….CRIES! All babies cry to let us know when they need something.

It can be normal for an infant to cry up to 6 hours each day.
Some babies cry more and some cry less.
Crying peaks at 4 weeks of age and begins to decline around 4 months of age. It does come to an end!
There is no need for alarm if your baby calms within a few hours and is relaxed the rest of the day.

Why is my baby crying?

Hungry
Tired
Too cold or hot
Dirty diaper
Sick

Your baby may just be fussy even if all their needs are met. Remember, crying is normal for a baby.

How can I comfort my baby?

Swaddle your baby in a thin blanket. This helps your baby feel secure.
Hold your baby as much as you want. You cannot spoil a baby.
Walk or rock your baby. These motions are like when your baby was inside the womb.
Talk to your baby.
Calming sounds like a vacuum cleaner, humming of a fan or dryer, or white noise machine are also like the soothing sounds from the womb.

Do not overfeed your baby. This can be uncomfortable. Try to wait at least 2 hours between the beginning of one feeding to the beginning of the next.
Offer a pacifier if it isn’t time for a feeding. You may want to wait to give your baby a pacifier until breastfeeding is going well.

What if the crying is too much for me to handle?

Take a deep breath. Count to 10.
Put your baby in a safe place like the crib. Put your baby on its back.

Walk away. Come back every 5-10 minutes to check on your baby.

Call a friend or family member for support.
Relax by taking a shower or bath. Exercise or listen to music.

What is abusive head trauma?

Abusive head trauma (or shaken baby syndrome) is a preventable. It is a severe form of child physical abuse. It is caused by violent shaking of a baby by the shoulders, arms, or legs. This may happen from shaking alone or shaking with impact against a surface. This type of head trauma is the leading cause of child abuse deaths in the United States.

Do you know the signs and symptoms of abusive head trauma?

Fussiness
Lethargic (more sleepy)
Vomiting
Trouble breathing
Seizures
Coma

What can happen as a result of being shaken?

Death
Permanent developmental delays
Seizures
Paralysis
Blindness

Being a parent is a big job. It’s ok to ask for help.

Call your baby’s health care provider if you are:

Still worried about your baby’s crying.
Feeling depressed.
Having trouble dealing with your emotions.

Your health care provided can recommend ways to help.

Remember, it is never ok to shake a baby. No matter what you are feeling.