maternity
IS MY BABY
TOO MUCH?
crying
In the first of a new series of medical columns, the team at OT&P
address this and explore what your baby is trying to tell you
F
or a newborn baby, there
are only a few ways they can
express themselves and crying
is one of them. While it is
expected, sometimes it feels like they
are crying too often. But why are they
crying? Maybe it is hunger, tiredness,
a wet nappy, a cold, or pain. One of
the most common reasons is that they
want your company.
Different types of cry:
Although this can be hard to establish
in the beginning, parents usually learn
how to decipher their babies crying; for
example, a cry from hunger can sound
different from a cry for attention. Some
babies cry more often than others
and stop immediately when you pick
them up or feed them, while others
take longer to pacify. Listening to and
watching how your baby reacts can help
you pinpoint the source of the crying.
What should you do?
Even if your baby cries as you cuddle
them, they can still feel the security of
your presence, and often this is what
they are really longing for. If your baby is
still crying after a while, you can change
the nappy or see if the baby is too hot or
too cold. Hunger is also often the reason
for crying, and you should ensure that
your baby is well fed.
If your baby cries without any obvious
reason for extended periods (more than
an hour or two and without stopping),
consult your doctor to check for other
factors, such as an ear infection or
some form of injury. As a parent, feeling
helpless in the face of a lot of crying is
quite common; just remember to be
patient and try different methods and
positions to soothe your baby. While it
might not always stop their crying, your
baby will appreciate extra cuddles.
What NOT to do:
Never ever shake your baby, no matter
how tired or frustrated you may feel. This
can cause internal injuries to the baby.
If the urge presents itself, put the baby
down, walk out of the room, and close the
door. If you have a friend or partner nearby,
ask for some help. You will be surprised
how willing they will be to help you. If
not, take a little bit of a break. Enter the
room again when you feel that you have
calmed down. Most importantly, try not
to feel guilty; this is something that many
parents experience at some point in their
parenthood journey, but the main focus is
to deal with the situation in the correct way.
Is it colic?
It is also possible for your newborn to
have colic. When a baby has colic, they
will be crying on and off almost every
day. This could last for a period of one
to three hours. Check with your nearby
baby clinic or have a midwife identify if
your baby has this condition. Should this
be the case, usually the best solution
is to keep the baby as close to you as
possible—you will end up giving lots of
cuddles, tummy time, and chest time.
A sling and/or baby carrier can also be
helpful, and both parents can do this.
A pacifier is sometimes helpful and
movement can help with the crying.
OT&P has five clinics
located clinics across Hong
Kong. www.otandp.com
Summer 2019
19