Causes of Crying Babies and How to Soothe It
Babies generally will continue to cry and are very fussy when hungry or have not changed diapers, then will be quiet and calm after their needs are met. However, sometimes your little one still cries loudly even though he’s been breastfed. If your little one experiences it, you may be confused and wonder why babies cry after feeding. Here are the causes for babies to cry constantly and how to deal with them that needs to be known.
Cause the baby is crying
Did you know that crying is a baby language? Quoting from from Mayo Clinic, baby crying is a way for your little one to communicate with adults. The following causes babies to cry continuously:
1. The baby is hungry
If you have given milk from 3 – 4 hours ago, then your little one wakes up and starts crying, maybe he feels hungry. Give your little one milk and he will stop crying as one of the newborn care.
2. Your baby is tired
If your little one starts to look lazy with activities, doesn’t want to be invited to play, yawns frequently and then cries, it means that he is tired and wants to sleep.
Before going to bed, it is also not necessary to clean the baby’s body so that he sleeps comfortably.
3. The baby feels uncomfortable
The reason your little one is crying can be because the diaper is too wet, too hot, or cold to interfere with the baby’s sleep. Try to check the condition of your baby’s diapers and clothes, if anything makes him uncomfortable.
4. Your baby is in pain
Your baby will suddenly cry as vigorously as adults or children in general if he feels it there is a pain in his body.
You can check your little one’s body, whether there is a diaper rash that makes him sick or his body temperature is high due to fever.
5. Babies feel excessive stimulation
If the sound in the room is very noisy, there are a lot of people, or there are a lot of people trying to get your baby’s attention, he may cry because of it. Move your baby to a calmer environment.
6. Babies feel lonely
If your baby is asleep, you leave him in his bed alone, and he starts crying when he wakes up, maybe he feels lonely and he doesn’t like being left alone. Hug your baby and give love.
7. Babies feel scared
If your little one suddenly cries when he is carried by a stranger, it indicates that your baby is feeling scared.
Explain to the person that it is necessary to approach the baby first so that he does not feel afraid and cry when he is held.
8. Babies feel bored
If your baby is sitting in his baby chair, you are not paying attention to him and are busy eating or chatting, and he starts crying, maybe your baby is bored. Give him attention and toys to get rid of his boredom.
9. Babies cry because of colic
Colic can make babies cry for a long time. Doctors suspect colic is a kind of condition in which babies have digestive problems.
The cause of colic is unknown. Babies can continue to cry even though they are healthy and have been given enough food.
When the baby is colic, it is very difficult to calm the baby to stop crying. But not to worry, this colic only lasts until the baby reaches 4 months of age.
10. Babies cry because there is too much gas in the stomach
Too much gas in the stomach can make the baby cry after feeding. This can be caused by the baby swallowing a lot of air while breastfeeding, especially when using a milk bottle.
As a result, the baby’s stomach will feel bloated because it is filled with air, making it uncomfortable and uncomfortable. That is why he continues to cry even though he is no longer hungry.
Meanwhile, if breast milk is given, less air will enter the baby’s stomach.
As a solution, try to keep the baby’s body in an upright position after feeding, while gently stroking his back. This method can help remove gas in the baby’s stomach little by little.
11. Babies cry because of GERD
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is more common in adults. But it turns out, babies can also experience it especially if you often find your little one feels uncomfortable and often cries after breastfeeding.
The cause of GERD in babies is because the milk that has just been drunk, actually rises back up into the esophagus. Normally, the stomach has a ring of muscles (sphincter) whose job is to hold back the stomach acid from rising back up.
However, the damage was on sphincter The stomach can cause stomach acid to rise in large quantities, passing through the chest and esophagus.
This condition then causes symptoms in the form of nausea, flatulence, chest pain, and various other unpleasant feelings in the baby’s body.
12. Food allergies
Babies who are still breastfeeding usually cannot eat certain food ingredients directly.
It’s just that babies are still at risk of experiencing certain types of food allergies and lactose intolerance, especially from foods and drinks that the mother has just consumed.
Milk, eggs, corn, caffeine are some of the sources of food and drink that are said to be at risk of causing allergies in babies.
If your baby continues to cry after feeding, it’s best to pay attention to what foods and drinks you recently consumed. Consult your doctor further regarding possible allergies experienced by your baby.
13. Babies cry because of teething
Your little one who is teething will usually continue to cry after feeding. This is because he feels pain in the gums due to friction with the nipple.
What can you do to stop your baby crying?
If you can’t figure out why your baby is crying, start by meeting his basic needs. Give him milk, change his diaper, make sure he is not cold or too hot, and that the clothes he is wearing are comfortable.
Already done that but he’s still crying? Several other ways can be tried, such as:
1. Loosely swaddling the baby
Swaddling is included in the newborn equipment that your little one needs. Being in a swaddle can prevent the baby’s body from shaking, thus making him feel safer and more comfortable.
In addition, this method can also help babies fall asleep more calmly and soundly.
However, there is a moment to watchswallow your little one and know how to swaddle a baby properly. Too tightly stretching the baby can damage the baby’s leg joints.
Even to damage the cartilage from the hip cavity that leads to hip dysplasia, namely a disruption in the formation of the hip joint when the femur is released and is not right in the hip cavity.
Not only that, but stretching the baby too tight can also make it difficult for him to breathe properly. It is enough to stretch your little one loosely like a blanket, so that he feels warm and safe.
2. Place the baby curled up
In the uterus, babies spend most of their time in a curled position. Now, that’s why holding or laying the baby in a curled position can make the baby feel more comfortable.
This position is done by holding the baby on the side of the body, precisely under your arms. Only place your baby in this position if he or she continues to cry.
While in normal conditions, always place your baby in a supine position.
3. Make a soothing sound
In thewomb, babies are used to hearingheart rate mother whose voice is constant over and over again.Mother’s heartbeat will sound in the same rhythm and this will calm the baby.
So, if at any time your little one cries, you can make or play a soothing sound. For example, holding the baby to the chest, listening to the sound of raindrops, listening to the mother’s soft voice as a lullaby.
Apart from that, you can also try to create a sound ‘white noise ‘ to soothe the baby. ‘White noise ‘ is a combination of sounds from various frequencies. For example, the fan noise or just the sound “ssshhh”.
4. Swing the baby
Rhythmic movements such as constantly rocking or shaking your baby will remind him that he is still in your stomach. If it gets tighterthe baby cries, then you have to get stronger as well as swinging your little one.
You can rock the baby’s body while the baby cries while:
- When traveling
- On the rocking chair
- The baby is put in a special swing
- Take a walk in the bassinet
But remember, you have to be careful when swinging your little one. While rocking your baby, you can sing songs with a slow tempo and a soft voice.
5. Soft touch
Touch can stimulate a feeling of comfort in the baby’s brain. That’s why, never underestimate influenceyour touch to make your little one feel more comfortable.
Even so, your baby also sometimes needs more than just touching to make him comfortable, such as patting his back or massaging him gently.
This gentle touch also applies when bathing a newborn which can make it very comfortable.
6. Let him suck on something
Suck on a pacifier, finger, ornipple is a way to soothe a crying baby. However, make sure this is the last step you take if some of the methods mentioned above don’t work.
7. Massage or rub the stomach
Gentle massage can make the baby calmer and you can do baby massage at home. Use a special massage oil for babies, preferably fragrance-free and very light onbaby skin.
But remember, you also have to be careful when massaging your little one, one-one can be bad for him.
Sometimes, a baby crying also indicates that he is hungry or feels uncomfortable because the diaper needs to be changed. So, apart from doing these three things, make sure you know what your little one’s crying means.
If your little one is hungry, immediately give him breast milk. That way, your baby will usually stop crying after you feed him.
Things that must be considered when the baby cries
Crying is your baby’s natural way to communicate and convey feelings of discomfort or need for something. Most babies cry because they have difficulty adjusting to life outside the womb.
For 9 months the baby is accustomed to the atmosphere of the uterus. The presence of light, color, texture, sound, as well as new sensations such as hunger or it will be very disturbing to them.
Therefore, creating a sensation that mimics the conditions in the womb is the best way to soothe a crying baby.
The sound of a high-pitched crying baby is often stressful, but you have to stay awake. Quoting from NHS, avoid shaking the baby’s head because it can cause damage to the baby’s brain.
But if your little one cries continuously even though you have tried to calm it down in the various ways mentioned above, don’t hesitate to contact the doctor.
Especially if you are also observing some unusual signs or symptoms in your baby.