Crying is a normal event in the lives of all babies. When a baby comes out of the womb the first thing they do is cry. By the first cry he will take some air into the lungs. After delivery if the baby does not cry then crying should be stimulated by slightly pinching or gently stroking 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, especially in the middle of the night.
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 etc., But the best way to get 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 fed. 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 diaper is changed and bottom are cleaned and made dry .
3,Company:–
The majority of babies need somebody near. If they feel lonely they cry. When their favorite toy slips away from their grip they will cry for help.
4,Tired:–
When the baby is tired and unable to sleep just cry. It may seem like they are crying for no reason, but they simply feel tired or uncomfortable.
5,Heat & cold:–
If they feel too hot or too cold they become restless and cry. Baby is comfortable in a room with good ventilation.
6,Tight clothing:–
Tight cloths, especially during warm months is intolerable for babies. Tight elastic in the waist, arms and legs can also produce soreness in that 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. Of course he will be irritated by strong light resulting in cry.
8,Nasal blockage:–
Child may not be able to sleep when there he has a cold and go on crying till the passage is open. Raise the head of the crib mattress slightly by placing a pillow or rolled up receiving blanket under the mattress.
9, Phlegm in throat:–
This also causes difficult breathing resulting in cry. Often a typical sound can be heard with each breath.
10,General aching:–
Generalized body ache with restlessness is seen in flu and beginning stages of some infectious diseases can result in continuous cry.
11,Habitual cry:—Some babies cry without any real cause. There is always a reason the baby is crying.
12, Dentition:–
During dentition child becomes restless with crying. Often associated with gastric troubles and diarrhea
13,Diaper rash:– If a tight and wet diaper is kept on for a prolonged period, it could lead to diaper rash.
Rash can also be due to some allergic reaction to the elastic material of the diaper. When the rash appears it causes soreness and baby become sleepless and cry. All other skin lesions like eczema also causes some problems.
14,Earache:–
Ear infection is common in babies. The infection may spread from the throat. Ear infection can result in rupture of ear drum causing discharge of pus. Earache 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 problem 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 can produce allergic reactions. Allergy is manifested in the form of redness, breathlessness, gastric symptoms and continuous cry.
18,Hard stools:–
Constipated babies with hard stools may cry when they get the urge for a bowel movement. Some children hesitate to have a bowel movement because of pain .
19,Vomiting:–
Here baby cries with vomiting of food after feeding. This could be due to failure of the lower part of esophagus to close after eating causing regurgitation from the stomach. It may be solved by changing the formula the baby is using. Always check with the pediatrician before doing anything.
Some rare reasons
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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 relieved. 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 agonizing pain making them restless.
7,Major injuries:–
Major injury to any parts of the body causes pain. Occasionally children will fall when becoming more mobile, resulting in injury. Head injury is associated with reflex vomiting and convulsions.
