Crying Baby - Reasons
Introduction:
Crying is a normal event in the lives of all babies.When a baby comes out of the woomb the first thing to do is crying.By the first cry he will take some air in to the lungs for the first time in their life.After delivery if the baby doesnot cry then it should be initiated by slightly pinching or gently strocking the feet.From this it is clear that the healthy baby should cry and it is a normal physiological event ,still some times it can upset the mother or family members.
We all know that a baby can’t tell his needs or troubles in words. The only way for him to communicate with others is by crying.Babies show some other signs like feet kicking,hand waving and head turning ect.But the best way to take the attention of others is by crying.
Excessive crying may not have a firm definition because the crying habit changes from baby to baby and some babies can be calmed easily but some are difficult to sooth.If crying is distressing for the mother and home nurse it can be called excessive.Many a times baby become quiet by giving breast milk or by carrying with a gentle rocking.Sudden onset of excessive crying means baby is distressed and needs attention.The causes of crying extends from simple reasons to life threatening conditions.Hence crying of a baby should not be ignored.
Most of the time it is difficult to find the cause of the cry .Common causes are discussed here for awareness.
Common reasons for crying:
1,Hunger:–
A hungry baby will cry till he gets the milk. Here the old saying comes true’crying baby gets the milk’.
2,Wetting:–
Urination and defecation causes some discomfort and results in crying till his parts are cleaned and made dry .
3,Company:–
Majority of the kids need somebody near. If they feel lonely they cry.When their favourite doll slips away from the grip they cry for help.
4,Tired:–
When the baby is tired after a journey and unable to sleep just cry simply.They feel tired in uncomfortable sourroundings and due to unhealthy climate.
5,Heat & cold:–
If they feel too hot or too cold they become restless and cry. Child is comfortable in a room with good ventilation.
6,Tight cloathing:–
Tight cloaths especially during warm climate is intolerable for kids.Tight elastic of the the dress can also produce soreness in the hip region.
7,Dark room:–
When the baby wakes up from sleep he needs some dim light.If there is darkness he will disturb the sleep of parents by crying.Ofcourse he will be irritated by strong light resulting in cry.
8,Mosquito:–
Yes,these creatures disturb the sleep by their blood sucking and make the baby to cry.
9,Nasal blocking:–
Child may not be able to sleep when there is a cold and go on crying till the passage is open.
10, Phlegm in throat:–
This also causes difficult breathing resulting in cry.Often a typical sound can be heard with each breath.
11,General aching:–
Generalised body ache with restlessness is seen in flu and prodromal stages of some infectious diseases can result in continuous cry.
12,Habitual cry:—Some babies cry without any real cause ending the parents in agony.Many a times doctor is called for help.
13,Nappy rash:– If a tight and wet nappy is kept for a long time results in this conditon. Rash can also be due to some allergic reaction to the elastic material of the nappy. When the rash appears it causes soreness and baby become sleepless and cry. All other skin lesions like eczema,ecthyma ,candidiasis ect also causes same problems.
14,Earache:–
Ear infection is common in wet climate.The infection may spread from the throat.Ear infection can result in rupture of ear drum causing discharge of pus.Eareache usually becomes worse at night when lying down.Child will become restless with cry and may not allow you to touch the ear.Some children with earache rub the affected ear frequently.
15,Colic:–
When the baby cry continuously most of us diagnose it as colic.This roblem is still a topic for debate because exact cause for colic is not known and diagnosis is also difficult to confirm.Colic may be associated with rumbling and distention of abdomen.Child often feels better when lying on abdomen.Some children may not allow you to touch the abdomen.If the child cries continuously doctors help is needed.
16,Infections:–
All infections causes some kind of pain or irritation resulting in cry.Infection may be anywhere in the body.Usually it is associated with fever, redness and swelling.
17,Reactions to certain food:–
It is said that one man’s food is another man’s poison. Some food articles can produce some allergic reactions.Allergy is manifested in the form of redness, breathlessness,gastric symptons and continuous cry.
18,Hard stools:–
Constipated babies with hard stools may cry when they get the urge for stool.Some children hesitate to pass stool because of pain .
19,Gastro esophagial reflex:–
Here baby cries with spilling of food after feeding.If this continues it may be due to gastroesophageal reflex.This is due to failure of the lower part of esophagus to close after food causing regurgitation from the stomach.It is difficult to diagnose this condition and can be confirmed by giving antireflex medicines.
20, Dentition:–
During dentition child becomes restless with crying. Often associated with gastric troubles and diarrhoea.
Some rare reasons —————–
1,Bowel obstruction:–
Bowel obstruction is associated with severe pain and vomiting. Abdomen is distended with rumbling sound. Baby is constipated with absence of flatus.
2,Septicemia:–
Invasion of pathogenic micro organisms in to the blood is called septicemia. Fever is associated with this condition.
3,Torsion of testes in male kids:–
When a male baby cries continuously his scrotum should be examined. Torsion of the testes produce severe pain which will be worse by touching the affected testes. When the testes is pressed upwards pain is releived. If this is not treated properly it can damage the affected testes due to lack of blood supply.
4,Meningitis:–
Initially there may not be fever,hence crying baby with alternate vacant stare and irritability should not be ignored. Fontanel is bulging. Neck rigidity and seizures may appear later.
5,Retention of urine:–
Children with retention of urine will have agonising pain making them restless.
7,Major injuries:–
Major injury to any parts of the body causes pain. Occasionally children will fall while arrying and results in head injury. Head injury is associated with reflex vomiting and convulsions.
FirstTimeMom December 7th, 2008, 11:43 am
what are the reasons baby wakeup at night crying?
but when pacifier is given or u pat them, they go back to sleep. I am analyzing what's the cause they get up so that I can try to eliminate all the possibilities of my baby getting up and cry like that. by the way she is 4.5 months old now.
could it be cold temperature, but when u r asleep how can u know it's cold with a warm blanket covering u?
Monalisa December 7th, 2008, 4:45 pm
stomache ache, usually stomache problems. tooth aches usually things you dont know of.
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ttcANGEL#1 December 7th, 2008, 4:47 pm
She could be having nightmares.
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grandmadarcy December 7th, 2008, 4:49 pm
Could be a number of reasons….even a bad dream. The biggest issue is feeling secure and loved…by giving the best of yourself to your child.
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neato1975 December 7th, 2008, 4:51 pm
Babies wake several times throughout the night and since all your baby needs is the pacifier or a pat, I would say that she isn't able to soothe herself back to sleep yet and is just looking for a little reassurance and comfort form mom or dad.
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tru_blu December 7th, 2008, 4:53 pm
babies do that, sometimes its caused by gas pains or a dirty diaper, hunger, bad dream, or just needing to be comforted. if the pacifier or patting her works then thats all you can do. soon enough your little girl will sleep through the night, but dont wish these sleepless nights away some day you might actually miss them =)
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smisty52 December 7th, 2008, 4:55 pm
she could be hungry maybe lonely and needs to know your there stomache ache
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cazza_8u December 7th, 2008, 4:57 pm
You cant possibly eliminate all the reason why a baby would wake up in the middle of the night, my daughter used to sleep all night and now since she has started to teeth she is waking up during the night. Do you sleep all night through or do you wake up to go to the toilet? Babies wake up during night for any number of reasons and probably dont understand why it is dark and may get scared. Try getting a night light.
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Mum to 8 month old
jan2281 December 7th, 2008, 4:59 pm
at 5 months old my son was doing the same thing waking up it seemed every hour, I talked to a friend at work about it and she recommend I feed him some baby cereal, I was a Little leery about feeding him cereal so early but I did it and he took well to it, so I gave it to him every night before and he slept ALL night..breast milk or formula may not be enough for her.
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kissyh14 December 7th, 2008, 5:01 pm
Sometimes they could have a toothache, or a belly ache, or to just know that you are still there. They wake up and they don't see you so then they cry but when you go in there to give them their binky or give them a little love rub then they know that you are still around and everything is ok. It could be just a security thing knowing that you are there all the time for them.
Once when your daughter can figure out how to put her own binky in her mouth then it will eliminate that factor but also you may want to consider teething. Sometimes at night that really bothers them. If you notice that she is teething ask your doctor about giving her a little bit of infant tylenol.
Before you go to bed feel your daughter's arm if it is exposed a little bit. If it is cold then she is a little cold. If her arms are not exposed feel the neck area or her cheeks. If she is not to big for a sleepy sac then I would suggest getting one of them to help keep her warm if you find that she is cold at night.
But remember when you figure out one thing then another thing may start. It is a never ending battle. The main thing is feeling loved and secure.
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Mom of two…
J M December 7th, 2008, 5:03 pm
At her age she is more than likely teething. Teething pain and growth occurs during the nighttime and that is why babies let out wimpers and bouts of crying. Try teething tablets or Baby Orajel for nightime. Try looking in her mouth for bulging areas that are somewhat white or very very pink, this will tip you off for teething
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my_sweet_revengemcr December 7th, 2008, 5:05 pm
Maybe she gets scared waking up alone in her room. Hungry, cold, bloated bad dream, etc. Maybe needs pacifer put back in mouth, needs to be re-wrapped, things like that. Good luck!!!
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New mom of a 7 week old.