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All babies sneeze, yawn, belch, hiccup, pass gas, sleep, eat, smile, cough and cry. Since crying is a baby's only means of communicating, it can mean anything from "I'm wet, I'm thirsty, Turn me over, I'm too hot, I'm too cold, I have a stomach ache, I'm bored, or I'm hungry." You will gradually be able to pinpoint what your baby needs.
Nearly all babies have fussy periods. They may occur regularly - the most common time is 6 to 10 p.m. This is not considered to be colic, but is a normal phenomenon for which there is as yet no good explanation.
"Colic" is an over-used diagnosis. However, if your baby is fussy or irritable much of the time and you are not able to quiet him, you should call your physician. Some babies sleep 20 hours a day or just eight to 10 hours a day. It usually takes an infant six to 10 weeks to develop his own regular 24-hour schedule.
It's true most babies do a lot of crying, but you'd cry too if you had no other way to communicate. There are different reasons for his/her displeasure and equally as many ways to soothe him/her. Following are some common reasons why baby may cry:
- Sleepy - many babies have a fussy time before they fall asleep.
- Hunger. (Breastfed babies eat about every two to three hours, or sometimes more often.) Baby will determine his/her own schedule and will have his/her own eating style.
- Temperature - baby may be uncomfortably cold or warm.
- The need to be held, rocked, cuddled, etc.
- Air bubbles - try burping your baby.
- Clothing may be too tight.
- Bordeom - change your baby's position or offer a toy, etc..
- Digestive problems (or colic). These conditions should improve as baby matures.
- Diaper may need to be changed.
- A more consistent routine may be needed.
- Over stimulation (too much noise, too many new surroundings, too much light, etc.)
- Indigestion or gas (if breastfed, it may be something in the mother's diet).
- Tension, insecurity or conflict in the home.
- Teething.
- Fear.
- A strong sucking need (a pacifier may help).
Is Baby Stressed?
If your child is over-stimulated or too stressed, he may:
- Arch his neck and back.
- Excessive hiccuping.
- Avoid looking at you or shut his eyes.
- Turn his body or face away from you.
- Spit up.
- Change color.
- Straighten his arms out to the side.
- Have rapid and shallow breathing.
- Cry or fuss.
If you think your baby is too stressed or over-stimulated, try one of the following:
- Remain quiet and turn your eyes away (sometimes eye contact is too much for him to handle.
- Pick him/her up and hold him at your shoulder or in a cradled position.
- Talk to him in a soft voice.
- Let him suck on his/her hand, your finger or a pacifier.
- Place your hand on his chest.
- Give him a "time out" or some quiet time alone by himself.
- Gently rock him in a cradled position.
- Change his position.
- Place one of your hands on his head and one hand on his feet to help him "tuck" or flex his body.
- Hold his hands so he is grasping your thumbs and bring his arms folded close to his chest.
Breastfeeding
Baby Care
Crying and Stress
Newborn Appearance
Toys and Games
When to Call the Doctor
Older Siblings
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