Parents, we all know of that one couple whose baby - since the day it was born - has been an absolute angel. No crying, no whining and sleeps through the whole night without so much as a peep.
However, for most parents, this is not the case. During the first few months of a newborn’s life, babies tend to cry a lot as crying is their main form of communication.
Some crying is normal. You need to expect it. However, stay alert to certain identifiable cries. For example, a high pitched, piercing cry may be a signal of either internal or external body injury. Such a cry, if persistent, should be brought to the attention of your baby's doctor. If you haven't already, get into the habit of checking your baby over once a day.
As much as you love your newborn child, listening to a baby cry for hours on end can be grating to the ears. Nevertheless, you should think of crying as a signal that your baby is sending to you. As a mummy or daddy, learn to assess your baby's cry so you can respond properly. The ability to read your baby's cry will give you confidence in parenting. Here are some common reasons why a baby is crying and how to solve them:)
Reason 1: Your baby is hungry.
Keep track of your child’s feeding times and look for signs of hunger, like lip-smacking or putting fists to their mouth. Babies who routinely cry and act hungry and a half are probably not getting enough food. Consider whether there is adequate nutrition for your baby. Some indicators of adequate nutrition include baby's weight/height gain, regular stools and six to eight wet/saturated diapers daily.
Reason 2: Your baby’s diaper is wet or they are uncomfortable.
In their first few months, babies tend to wet and soil their diapers a lot. Check their diapers when they’re starting to fuss and see if that is what is causing the problem.
Check your baby from top to toe. Is he having a fever? What about his ears and nose and mouth? Any redness? Don't forget the fingers and toes too. Sometimes a strand of hair, or a thread can get wrapped around a baby's toe or finger, causing him to be uncomfortable.
Another thing to note, is your baby's arm or leg stuck in a crib slat? That might be causing his discomfort.
One cry that needs investigation is when your baby wakes up in the middle of his nap with a loud piercing cry. This could be caused by gas. For gas, you should burp your baby, especially after a meal.
Reason 3: Your baby is sick.
Check your newborn’s temperature. If your baby is younger than 2 months and has a fever, go to the doctor as soon as you can.
Is your baby teething? Usually by six months, one baby out of three has one tooth, and by nine months, the typical baby has three teeth. Irritability, fussiness, increased salivation, and a slightly raised temperature sometimes accompany new teeth. Try giving a teething toy to your baby to chew on, to soothe his gums. Make sure you wash the teething toy regularly and thoroughly with soap and water.
Reason 4: Your baby is bored or overstimulated.
If in a crowded area, try bringing the baby somewhere quiet, like to their own room. Quietly sing or hum a song to your baby.
If you’ve tried just about everything and your baby is still fussy, you might find yourself getting frustrated. Take a moment to calm yourself as babies can feed off your negative energy and get more fussy themselves.
If you’re finding it hard to calm down, pass your baby to your partner or a family member you are comfortable with and take a break. Never shake or hit a newborn out of frustration as they are still young and can injure easily.
Taking care of a baby can be a very difficult experience so don’t feel ashamed if you need help in this challenging time. Consider enrolling your child in infant care.
For parents living in the Tampines, Nurture Infant House has had 20 years of experience in caring for your beloved children. Rest assured your baby will be in good hands when the time comes for you to head back to work.
Reason 5: Your baby is fatigued.
The traits of a fatigued baby are different from a tired baby. A fatigued baby is a baby who has been awake and has skipped his naps for a few days. It may come as a result of your baby's routine being out of whack for several days. How can you re-establish your baby's sleep routine?
We recommend mummy to find a comfortable chair, a good book, sit down and let baby take his nap in mummy's arms. This can extend into the next day. However, on the third day, be sure to put your baby back into his crib so that he does not make it into a habit to fall asleep in your arms!
About Nurture Infant House Tampines
We are guided by three central elements: attachment, routines and play. Our daily routines include structured activities and rest, as well as time for independent exploration and learning
Nurture Infant House (Tampines)
At Nurture Infant House, our passion is to love and care for each infant and to provide a safe and interactive environment for infants to learn and grow in body and in mind independently.
If you are looking for infant care in Tampines or in East, do visit Nurture Infant House. We have over 30 years of experience in nurturing thousands of infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers.
If you are looking for a preschool for toddlers and older children in Tampines or in East, do visit Genesis Childcare 1989.
Feel free to book an appointment through WhatsApp. You can visit us at the following venues:
Nurture Infant House (Tampines) (2 to 18 months Infants) Blk 433 Tampines Street 43 #01-61 Singapore 520433
Tel: 96664141
Genesis Childcare 1989 (Tampines)
Blk 433 Tampines Street 43 #01-63/65 Singapore 520433
Tel: 96664141
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