Babies cry to communicate their needs and feelings. But sometimes, it can be hard to tell what they want. One of the most common reasons babies cry is hunger. But how can you tell if your baby is hungry or just fussy?
Babies cry for various reasons and it's normal. But as a parent, you want to know what your baby is feeling when they cry. Are they hungry, scared, angry, or have another problem?
Knowing the meaning of baby cries can help you respond appropriately and soothe your baby effectively. However, not all parents can easily tell the difference between baby cries.
Whereas, each baby cry has different characteristics and tones, depending on what they want to convey. Here are some ways to tell the difference between baby cries when hungry, scared, and angry.
Baby Cries When Hungry
Baby cries when hungry are usually characterized by short, low-pitched, and repetitive cries, broken up by long pauses. As your baby gets hungrier, their cries will gradually build up, getting longer and louder with shorter pauses. Before your baby gets too worked up, you'll usually notice other signs of hunger. If your baby is under 5 months old, look for them to:
- clench their fists
- smack their lips
- turn their head toward anything that touches their face and open their mouth
- put their hands in their mouth¹
What it means: It's time to eat! Newborns usually breastfeed or formula-feed every two to four hours.
What to do: Offer your baby the breast or bottle, and let them eat until they're full (babies may close their mouth and turn their head away when they've had enough). In general, try to respond to your baby's early hunger cues as soon as you spot them, since crying is often a late sign of hunger.
Once your baby's crying, getting them to settle down and eat can be more difficult. Crying can also cause a baby to swallow air, causing discomfort – and leading to even more crying.
Baby Cries When Scared
Baby cries when scared usually occur suddenly and loudly, due to something that surprises or threatens them². For example, loud noise, bright light, strangers, or animals³. These cries are also accompanied by a frightened facial expression and a tense body².
What it means: Your baby needs reassurance and comfort.
What to do: Hug and hold your baby while talking softly and soothingly². If necessary, take your baby to a quieter and more comfortable place³. Avoid forcing your baby to interact with the source of their fear if they're not ready³.
Baby Cries When Angry
Baby cries when angry are usually characterized by loud and long cries, without breathing pauses. These cries are also accompanied by an angry facial expression and a writhing or kicking body. Usually, babies cry because they're angry when their wishes are not met or they feel uncomfortable.
What it means: Your baby is unhappy and wants something different.
What to do: Try to find out what makes them unhappy and try to change it. For example, change a wet diaper, change the sleeping position, or give their favorite toy. If there is no clear problem, try to distract your baby with a sound or an interesting object.
Source:
(2) https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/crying-colic/pages/Responding-to-Your-Babys-Cries.aspx.
(3) https://www.mylicon.com/advice-item/baby-crying-types/.
0 Comments