For many new parents trying to understand their newborns is a bit like trying to decipher a code – near impossible. The cries they thought were from hunger aren’t. The fussiness they thought was from soiled diapers isn’t. As a result many new parents are left wondering how to interpret the signs their babies are giving them so that they can take better care of them.
Understanding a baby’s cues isn’t always easy or automatic, as sometimes the process takes time and experimentation. However once you know what to look for you may find it a bit easier to decipher your baby’s needs in good time. Being able to do so brings relief for both parents who hate to see their infants suffer as well as for their babies whose sole means of survival in the world is dependent on having caregivers understand their most rudimentary form of communication.
Many baby experts claim that during the first 6 months of life, a baby is learning to regulate themselves to the world around them and they do this through their crying and behavior. And if parents respond to baby’s cries and gestures properly, baby in turn will start to develop feelings of safety and security in regards to having their needs met in life.
What to do first if baby is crying?
Don’t Panic
Firstly check yourself and endeavor to try and remain calm around your baby. Baby’s are so receptive to energy that they can easily pick up on any panic that a mother or caregiver is feeling. Attempt to create an atmosphere of serenity and love so that your baby isn’t affected by your emotions in addition to trying to deal with their own.
Pick Them Up
Once you have checked your own emotions if your baby is not already in your arms the next step to take is to pick them up. If they were feeling abandoned or lost this act will instantly reassure them. If after a minute or two they still haven’t calmed down you will want to investigate for other needs.
Check for Hunger
If they haven’t eaten in the last 30 or more minutes, you may want to offer them the breast or another food source. If they seems satisfied then this indicates they were hungry. The younger a baby is, the more often it needs to eat so don’t worry too much about overfeeding unless baby is frequently spitting up a lot afterwards.
Check for Soiled Diapers
Babies often don’t like to be wet or feel “dirty” so this may be another factor that is causing them to feel uncomfortable. Check diapers to see if baby needs changing.
Been Burped?
Your baby may be experiencing gas or intestinal discomfort. If their cry is more of a shriek than a wimper then it could be indicating pain. Try burping them to see if any air is released from either outlet.
Sleep?
If baby is yawning or shutting its eyes, they may be indicating that they are tired. Try and place your baby in an appropriate environment for them to fall asleep and see if this calms them.
Warm or Cold?
If these first actions haven’t worked to calm baby, check to see if your baby is too warm or too cold. Oftentimes babies feel cooler than we do because they don’t have the same amount of fat protection as we do. Try adding an extra layer or removing a layer – whatever seems appropriate to your climate and time of year.
In general to ensure newborns are adequately comfortable, consider always keeping hats on them when they are outdoors unless the temperature is too hot and it would make them more uncomfortable.
Reducing Overstimulation
Believe it or not in some cases a baby’s cries could be due to overstimulation –especially if you notice they are closing or trying to cover their eyes. Evaluate your surroundings and try to decipher whether the noise level, the lights, a TV, or even the interactions amongst people present may be overwhelming for your baby. Try taking the baby out of the room into a darker and quieter environment and seeing if baby responds to the change.
By paying close attention to baby’s expressions and types of crying most parents learn to interpret their baby’s cues over time. Keep in mind that responding to your baby’s cries will in no way spoil them – so no need to worry about that.
