Common Causes for Crying in Babies

Crying is one of the most natural things a baby does. Right after being born the first thing it does is cry. This first cry brings air into its lungs for the first time. While a healthy baby cries, it can still take an eventual toll on any new mom. Information about the reason for the crying can be very reassuring.

A baby can’t let his needs known by talking or with words so the only way for it to communicate is by crying. This is a surefire way to get attention and hopefully what he or she needs.

The level of crying varies from baby to baby and it is difficult to know when to label it excessive. Likewise some babies are easier other to soothe. Some will ceases crying simply by being given a pacifier while other parents have to resort to a short car ride to get their little ones to settle down.

Often gentle rocking by mom will get will get a crying baby to stop, but if crying does persist it is important that it never be ignored.

Common causes for crying in babies:

Hunger:

When your baby is hungry and wants to be fed he or she will be certain to let you know. Breast milk or formula will usually quiet the crying.

Full Diaper:

When your baby needs his diaper changed he will often cry due to the discomfort of a full diaper. A dry diaper will make things right again.

Loneliness:

Not surprisingly, when your baby feels alone and wants company they will cry until you return and then will become playful as soon as you arrive. They can also cry if their snuggle toy falls or slips away.

Sleepiness:

When your baby is tired and hasn’t had an opportunity to sleep, he will often react by crying.

Temperature:

No not the babies, but the environment he or she is in. If the room is too hot or too cold the resulting discomfort will cause the baby to cry until it is more comfortable.

Clothing:

Tight clothing against the skin, especially during the summer months can cause the baby to become uncomfortable and start to cry. Additionally watch out for itchy and tight elastic waistbands.

Room to dark or too bright

If the baby wakes up and feels alarmed because the room is overly dark or find brightness that is blinding he will of course begin to cry.

Mosquitoes

A buzzing insect around the babies face can be very disturbing and cause the baby to cry. These little things have nearly brought me to tears when I have been trying to sleep.

Cold symptoms.

If the baby is suffering from a common cold or other non serious illness the symptoms can become extremely uncomfortable and lead to the baby reacting with tears.

Earaches:

Earaches are a common cause of a crying infant. This can be particularly frustrating for both baby and parent as the baby can’t let mom know what hurts. Watch for the baby to rub the affected ear as some indication.

Colic

A baby crying continuously may be an indication of Colic. The jury is out on the exact cause of this frustrating condition, but it maybe associated with abdominal distention. Sometimes the baby will feel better when placed on the abdomen, but some may not allow this. Continuous crying should be referred to a doctor.

Food Reactions

Some foods and cause an allergic reaction that can take the form of redness, swelling and crying among others.

Hard Stools

Hard stools and constipation can be a source of pain for a baby and can very often lead to crying as the baby hesitates to have a bowel movement.

Dentition

Often associated with diarrhea and gastric troubles, a baby often becomes restless and cries during dentition.
Less Common Causes:

Bowel obstruction:

Bowel obstruction is accompanied by intense pain and often vomiting. The abdomen becomes distended and the baby is constipated.

Septicemia

This is pathogenic micro organisms entering the blood. Fever often accompanies this condition.

Torsion of the testes.

When a baby boy continuously cries his scrotum should be examined. This condition causes extreme pain and needs to be treated properly to avoid any damage to the testes.

A crying baby that won’t settle down can be one of the most frustrating experiences a new mom has to deal with. But by paying careful attention to the other signals the baby is giving off it is possible to truly listen and understand exactly what your infant is trying to tell you.