Women's Health

• Hunger
• Wet or dirty diaper
• Uncomfortable - too hot, too cold, scratchy clothing, etc.
• Gas on tummy
• Need to change positions
• Wants to suck
• Wants to be held
• Wants to be close to you
• Just having a fussy time

To figure out why your baby is crying, first check that your baby's basic needs are met - has she been fed recently? Is her diaper clean, dry, and fastened correctly (not too tight)? Is she dressed appropriately (comfortable clothes, not too warm or cold)? Is it time for a nap?

Ways to Soothe Your Baby

If all of the basic needs have been met, and baby is still crying, check for other causes of discomfort. Your baby may have gas on her tummy or be colicky. Try burping her, or apply light pressure on the tummy to soothe and help relieve gas. Some ways to do this are to carry her like a football, face down on your forearm, with his/her legs straddling your elbow and her chin in your hand, or place her tummy-down across your knees and gently bounce your legs. If this is a persistent problem, you may want to ask your baby's doctor about giving your baby an infant strength anti-gas medicine (available over-the-counter).

Of course, there are times it seems impossible to figure out why a baby is crying. Keep in mind that just like the rest of us, babies have their good days and their bad days, and someimes your baby may just be in a fussy mood. So what do you do then? Here are a few ideas:

• Change position - Has baby been sitting in his/her swing for a long time? Trying laying him/her on her back or tummy on a blanket with a few toys. A change of scenery can do wonders for even the youngest baby!
• Sing a song or talk to your baby - Your baby loves the sound of your voice, and that may help to calm and reassure him/her.
• Move around - take your baby for a ride in the car, or for a walk in the stroller, or even dance around the house. Sometimes babies just want to be close to you and get a change of scenery.
• Try a pacifier - Many babies have a strong need to suck, unrelated to hunger, and find it soothing to suck on a pacifier, a finger or thumb.
• A warm bath - this can distract your baby from crying, as well as soothe and relax him/her before bed.
• Give him/her a few minutes alone - Just like the rest of us, sometimes babies need some "down-time." If you have checked out all of his/her needs and have tried other means of soothing your baby to no avail, it is okay to leave your baby alone in his/her crib for a few minutes. Come back a few minutes later to check on your baby and to reassure him/her, then step out of the room for a longer period of time. Your baby may just need to be alone.

Unusual Crying