Crying is your baby’s only way of telling you they need comfort and care. Promptly responding to your baby’s cry and needs will make them feel safe and secure and help their brain grow and develop.
You can’t spoil a baby by responding and carrying them.
At first, you may find it difficult to interpret cries, but over time you will be able to read the cries more easily. There may be times of the day when your baby tends to cry a lot and can’t be comforted. Early evening is the most common time for this to happen. This can be hard for you as it’s often the time when you’re most tired and least able to cope. If possible, have company and support during these times.
We all react to a baby’s cry with an increased heart-rate, raised BP and sweating – all signs of stress. A baby’s cry is meant to be stressful to evoke an immediate response.
Babies cry for many reasons; the most common reasons are:
- Wanting a cuddle
- Hunger
- Tiredness
- Over stimulation
- Fear
- Boredom
- Pain
- A dirty or wet nappy
Try some of the following ways to comfort your baby.
- Offer your baby a feed.
- Hold your baby in skin to skin.
- Hold your baby or place them in a sling so that they are close to you.
- Move about gently, sway, talk or sing to baby.
- Rock your baby backwards and forwards in the pram, or go out for a walk.
- Find something for them to listen to or look at.
- Try stroking your baby’s back gently and rhythmically, you could undress your baby and massage them with vegetable oil (Some Children’s Centre’s and baby clinics run baby massages courses. For information, ask your Midwife or Health visitor).
- Try giving your baby a warm bath.
- If you feel you are becoming frustrated and angry, or can’t cope, put your baby down, leave the room for a few minutes and come back when calmer. Ask for help from friends and family.
For further information
DVH Growing a Happy Baby video discusses how important it is to respond to your baby’s needs to help their brain grow and develop.
Please watch the DVH Growing a Happy Baby video
- ICON Infant crying and how to cope https://iconcope.org/
- NHS Soothing a Crying Baby - NHS
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/caring-for-a-newborn/soothing-a-crying-baby/
- Building a Happy Baby Leaflet - UNICEF UK
- https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2018/04/happybaby_leaflet_web.pdf