My Baby Won't Stop Crying!

It's inevitable - babies cry.  Just as inevitable, they'll decide to do so for hours on end, when you're trying to get some sleep.

Unfortunately, babies can't express themselves in words, so all normal babies cry as a form of communication.  Some of them will cry as soon as they're uncomfortable; for example, they'll cry when they're hungry, they're wet, they're too hot or cold, or they are in pain. Some babies will cry out of habit for attention.  For the most part, baby crying is normal, but sometimes it can alarm family members or be indicative of serious conditions that should be handled straight away.

Tips for Parents Challenged with a Crying Baby

No matter what, if your baby won't stop crying, it is dangerous to shake the baby vigorously in order to get it to stop.  Here are some tips to deal with a crying baby who is crying for common reasons that are not serious.

1. Tight clothing can cause irrigation, so it should be removed.
2. If the room is hot, turn on a fan or open the windows.
3. Remove a wet nappy and clean, then dry your baby off with a soft towel.
4. Pat the baby or slowly stroke its head.  Soothing sounds will help in this process.
5. Feed the baby.
6. If it's chilly, cover the baby with a soft blanket or towel.
7. Show the baby an interesting toy, such as a music-making doll.
8. Try giving the baby a pacifier.
9. Take your baby for a walk outside.
10. Put the baby in a cradle and rock it gently.
11. Change the baby's position.
12. If the baby will not respond to you, see if your spouse or someone else can carry the baby and take it for a short walk.

When Prolonged Baby Crying Can Indicate Something Serious

If your baby is constantly crying and the above techniques do not work, there is a possibility that there could be a medical issue that requires attention.  Here are a few possible problems that could be making the baby cry:

• Colic.  If you press the baby's abdomen gently and it twist or resists you, there's a possibility of colic.
• Earache.  If you pull the baby's ear very gently and it starts crying worse or tries to push your hands away, there could be an earache or ear infection.
• Fever.   You can feel the baby's temperature with the back of your hands.
• Nappy rash, measles, allergies, etc. can be observed with a close examination of your baby's skin, from head to foot.
• Meningitis or Head Injury.  Move the baby's head gently to feel for any stiffness of the neck.
• Respiratory Problems.  Listen to your baby's chest for any rattling sounds or mucus in the wind pipe.  This could be indicative of pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, or other respiratory illnesses.
• Other Illnesses might be recognized by vomiting, coughing, convulsions, and the like.

If you suspect that your baby has any of the above or other medical conditions, contact your doctor immediately.  Prolonged crying could be indicative of health issues that are not apparent to people who are not trained in medicine.

"My Baby Won't Stop Crying!" contributed by Doris O'Shea