Hello Parents,
In this article about shaken babies, I want to provide you with more information to tell you about certain emergencies and to break taboos about shaken baby syndrome (SBS).
In this article :
- Why is my baby crying?
- Hints to calm a crying baby
- Suggestions to help parents stay in control
Parents are often tired with the arrival of a new baby in the family. With a baby that persistently cries, some people struggle more than others managing their frustration, impatience and anger when dealing with something they can’t control. Even if these feelings are normal, you need to recognise your limits and find ways to lower tension before doing something you might regret. Expressing your emotions, even if they’re negative (such as being fed up with a crying baby) is the right way to express feelings, but only in specific ways.
Why is my baby crying?
Crying is a signal, an expression, a means to communicate. Some babies will cry more than others, some more intensely than others. However, all babies cry. Today we know that a baby’s nervous system continues to develop after childbirth. Crying is considered very normal and associated with their brain’s neurodevelopmental growth. Peak crying associated with their neurological development is often around 6-8 weeks after birth. Even the baby doesn’t know what they want! 😊
Approximately 30% of healthy babies cry more than three hours a day for different reasons. These can include hunger, discomfort, heat, cold, fatigue or simple boredom. Do you feel you’re the only parents that hear their baby cry more often in the evening? You aren’t, as this period (between 5 p.m. and midnight) is often the most difficult for families. A baby can easily cry for 30 minutes, sometimes more, and are inconsolable. This is also when Mom and Dad are tired after their long day. And now they have to deal with a crying baby. Not easy!
A baby’s crying isn’t dangerous, even if they seemed panicked and their face turns deep red.
Parents often worry a lot about a baby when they cry, whether for several minutes or several hours. They feel powerless because they can’t really do anything. In this circumstance, you have to ensure that the baby doesn’t have other symptoms that might need to be checked by a health professional. These can include fever, poor feeding, changes in their general state, listless, increased vomiting, crying all the time, diarrhea or has red spots on their body.
To continue reading, go to Hints to Calm a Crying Baby.
