Babies can't talk so they cry in order to communicate with you.  Sometimes they are in distress but at other times they may just want to say 'Mum, I'm here...'

Most crying occurs within the first 12 weeks.  Some babies are very placid while others seem to cry all the time, but the amount they cry varies as much as the amount some people talk.  It's important to remember that your baby is not crying because you have done anything wrong.

Sometimes a baby cries because he's hungry or uncomfortable.  It may be something as simple as lying on an uncomfortable crease in his cot bedding, or being wet.  He may have had a bad dream or just needed to see your face.  He may even be telling you he wants to go to sleep and doesn't want to be passed from pillar to post!  You will learn to recognise many of his cries and you will get to know which cries are 'out of character' and which may signify that there is something wrong such as illness or fear.

Never hesitate to consult your health visitor or doctor if you are unable to calm your baby once you have addressed all the usual concerns such as hunger or changing his nappy.  If your child does not seem ill and you just can't pinpoint what is going on, then try the following:

• Carry your baby with you from room to room as much as possible.  Babies like to be close to you so have him in a baby sling or carrier and talk soothingly as you move around the house.
• Put the baby in the car and have a drive. Many babies love the motion of a car.
• Ask a friend to come to give you a breather. A mum can get very stressed when she hears her baby crying incessantly. A friend doesn't have the same emotional attachment and can care for your baby while you have a coffee or a walk round the block.
• If you feel at the end of your tether and there is no-one to help out, put the baby in his cot and leave the room for 10 minutes. Your baby will not come to any harm in this time and you are not to blame. Try to calm down and take some deep breaths. When you feel better, go back to your baby. He will feel better if you feel better.
• Remember that periods of crying will almost certainly diminish as time goes on. At three months of age many babies cry for between two and three hours in a day. It seems a lot when it comes all in one go but it will lessen as your baby gets used to the world.
  

Last Updated: August 14, 2007