Crying in infancy
Information:
Definition:
An audible sound made in response to a stimulus. Infants have a cry reflex that is a normal, involuntary response to a stimulus. Older children and adults cry for emotional reasons, such as pain, fear, sadness, or embarrassment. Premature infants frequently do not have a cry reflex.
Why infants cry:
A cry is the infant's first verbal communication and can be interpreted as a message of urgency or distress. Infants can cry for 1 to 2 hours each day for the first few weeks of life and at 6 weeks of age may cry for 2 to 4 hours per day. No one fully understands why infants cry so much, but many believe that crying helps infants expend energy and may be a reflection of the normal development of the central nervous system. Baby animals cry in response to isolation or loneliness, in an effort to locate their parents. Many parents learn to differentiate and interpret their infant's cries.
While understanding that infants cry for many reasons, the stress and anxiety that parents experience in response to the constant crying of their infants can be devastating.
What to do when baby is crying:
When unsure of why your baby is crying, try eliminating the sources that you can address.- Check his physical safety. Check to see that he is breathing easily and that his fingers, toes, and lips are pink and warm. Check to see he is not in pain and not hungry.
- Check his skin for bleeding, swelling, reddened areas, wetness, rashes, cold fingers and toes, twisted arms or legs, folded earlobes, or pinched fingers or toes.
- Check to see that your baby is not too anything. Not too cold, not too hot, not too wet, not too tired, not too restricted, not too bored.
- Check his surroundings for too much noise, too much light, too much wind, bed clothing not soft enough, inadequate stimulation and interaction.
- Talk to your baby. Hearing your voice is reassuring.
- Change his position. Turn him over or turn his head to the other side.
- Realizing that you can't hold your baby every time he cries, if you are still unsure why he is crying and you have checked out every possible source of pain, discomfort, or need you may choose to hold your baby. Sometimes infants cry because they are frightened or feel lost in this big world and NEED to be held.
- Hold your baby close to your chest. Sometimes, infants seem to need to experience familiar sensations, like the sound of your voice in your chest and your heart beat, the feel of your skin and hands and breath, the smell of your breath and hair, the warmth of your arms and chest, the movement of your body, the safety and comfort of your hug.
- Try using soft, gentle music to mask disturbing noises of everyday life and comfort your child. You may want to try "white noise" which is the sound of static from radios and televisions. Make an audiotape of your voice talking gently to your baby to be played when you can't be with him.
- If you reach the point where you can't determine the cause of your baby's crying and you can't meet whatever needs he is trying to express, call a healthcare provider for advice.
- Be sure you get adequate rest. Exhausted parents are less able to deal with the stresses of caring for a baby. Use the resources of family, friends, or outside care givers occasionally to allow yourself time to rest and recover your energy and interest. You will be helping yourself and your baby.
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The information provided herein should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Copyright 2000 adam.com, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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