Understanding Your Newborn’s Crying: What Are They Trying to Tell You?
Your newborn is crying, maybe even screaming and it can be nerve wracking. First, take a breath. Then realize newborns have limited ways of expressing themselves, and crying is one of the primary ways they do so. It is OK for them to cry. There is no such thing as a completely silent baby!
Since they are communicating their needs through crying, let’s try to interpret them! Understanding why your baby is crying can help you respond appropriately, soothe your baby, and provide the comfort they need. This blog will explore the most common reasons why newborns cry, how to interpret these cries, and the strategies you can use to calm your baby. We’ll also dive into insights shared by experts, Oprah’s well-known discussion on baby crying with Priscilla Dunstan and how to interpret the different types of cries.
Why Do Newborns Cry?
Crying is a natural and instinctive behavior for babies. In fact, newborns have an innate ability to communicate distress through their cries. Since they can’t talk or use gestures, crying becomes their sole method of communication. There are several common reasons for crying, each associated with a specific need or discomfort. Understanding these can help parents identify and address the underlying issue more quickly.
1. Hunger
Hunger is perhaps the most obvious reason for a newborn's crying. In the early weeks and months of life, babies have tiny stomachs and need to feed frequently. Newborns may cry when they are hungry and looking for nourishment, whether from breastfeeding or a bottle.
How to Identify Hunger Crying:
Hunger-related crying is often a rhythmic and repetitive cry that increases in intensity. Your baby may begin to root (turning their head towards your chest or neck) or suck on their hands as they look for food. This cry can be high-pitched and become more insistent as the baby’s need for food grows.
How to Respond:
If you suspect hunger is the issue, try offering your baby a feeding. For breastfeeding mothers, ensure that your baby is latching properly, and for bottle-feeding, make sure the milk is at the right temperature. If the baby calms down after feeding, you’ll know that hunger was the cause of the cry.
2. Discomfort
Babies experience discomfort for various reasons, including a wet or dirty diaper, tight clothing, or feeling too hot or too cold. Since they don’t yet have the ability to adjust their own clothing or clean themselves, they rely on their caregivers to address these needs.
How to Identify Discomfort Crying:
Discomfort-related crying is often more abrupt and sudden compared to hunger crying. It can sound distressed, and the baby may fidget, squirm, or kick their legs as they try to communicate their discomfort.
How to Respond:
Check to see if your baby has a dirty diaper, if their clothes are too tight, or if they feel overheated or cold. Make sure their clothing is comfortable, and adjust the room temperature to ensure they are neither too hot nor too cold. A diaper change may immediately stop the crying if that’s the cause.
3. Fatigue or Sleepiness
Newborns require a lot of sleep, often up to 16-18 hours a day. As they grow, their sleep cycles become more regular, but in the early stages, they may still struggle with establishing a sleep routine. Sometimes, babies cry simply because they are overtired and need rest, but they may have trouble settling down.
How to Identify Tired Crying:
A tired cry may start off more subtle and gradually grow louder. It is often a whiny or whimpering cry that sounds different from hunger or discomfort cries. Your baby may show signs of tiredness, such as rubbing their eyes, yawning, or becoming fussy.
How to Respond:
If you recognize that your baby is tired, help them fall asleep by creating a calm and quiet environment. Swaddle them securely in a soft blanket, gently rock them, or sing soothing lullabies. Sometimes, just offering a pacifier can help your baby settle down for a nap.
4. Gas or Colic
Many newborns experience gas or colic, which can cause significant discomfort. Gas occurs when air is swallowed during feeding or when the digestive system is still developing. Colic is often a term used to describe excessive crying and fussiness in the first few months, though its exact cause is not always clear.
How to Identify Gas or Colic Crying:
Gas and colic cries are often intense and persistent, with the baby appearing to be in pain. The baby may pull their legs toward their belly, clench their fists, and arch their back. Colicky cries tend to peak in the evening and can last for hours.
How to Respond:
To help alleviate gas, try gentle tummy massages or bicycle movements with your baby’s legs. Giving your baby tummy time when they are awake can also help relieve gas buildup. For colic, a warm bath or a soothing, repetitive motion (like rocking or walking with your baby) may bring comfort.
5. Overstimulation
Newborns are sensitive to their environment, and sometimes too much stimulation can lead to fussiness or crying. Overstimulation can occur when there is too much noise, light, or movement around your baby, or when they’ve had too much handling or playtime.
How to Identify Overstimulated Crying:
An overstimulated cry may sound frantic and high-pitched. Your baby may appear wide-eyed or overly alert, and they might squirm, kick, or try to turn their head away from the stimulus. This type of cry often happens after a busy period with lots of activity or interaction.
How to Respond:
If your baby seems overstimulated, take them to a quiet, darkened room to help them calm down. Gently swaddle them, hold them close, and offer soothing sounds like white noise or gentle rocking to help them relax.
6. Need for Attention or Comfort
Babies are social creatures, even from birth. Sometimes, crying is simply a way for your baby to ask for attention, comfort, or affection. Babies thrive on physical touch and emotional connection, and they may cry when they want to be held, cuddled, or comforted.
How to Identify Attention Crying:
Attention-seeking cries are often less intense than hunger or discomfort cries. They may sound more like a whimper or a soft cry, and the baby may calm down when held or comforted.
How to Respond:
If your baby is crying for attention, try holding them, comforting them with a gentle rocking motion, or talking softly to them. This type of crying may subside once they feel secure and connected to you.
Interpreting Baby Cries: Insights from Experts
While the above reasons are the most common causes of crying, the challenge is that each baby is unique, and sometimes it can be hard to determine exactly what’s causing the distress.
One of the most insightful and informative resources for understanding baby cries came from Oprah Winfrey's interview with Priscilla Dunstan, a child behavior expert and creator of the Dunstan Baby Language. In this interview, Dunstan explains that babies communicate through five distinct sounds, each corresponding to a specific need or discomfort. By recognizing and responding to these cries, parents can soothe their babies more effectively and confidently.
Priscilla Dunstan’s Baby Language: The Five Distinct Cries
In the interview with Oprah, Priscilla Dunstan shared her groundbreaking discovery that babies make five distinct sounds to express their needs. These sounds, she claims, are universal and can be understood across cultures, making them an essential tool for parents everywhere. According to Dunstan, these cries are rooted in reflexes that all babies share, and by understanding them, you can better address their needs.
Here’s a breakdown of the five sounds and their meanings:
1. “Neh” – The Hunger Cry
The first sound that Priscilla Dunstan highlights is "Neh," which is a short, repetitive cry that babies make when they are hungry. This sound originates from the baby’s sucking reflex, as they try to tell you they are ready to feed.
What Does It Mean?
When you hear your baby make the "Neh" cry, it typically means they are hungry and looking for food. This sound is often heard when babies are about to start fussing, and it’s their way of signaling that they need nourishment.
2. “Owh” – The Tired Cry
The second sound in Dunstan’s Baby Language is the "Owh" cry. This sound is usually soft and whiny, and it occurs when babies are tired and in need of sleep. The sound itself comes from the baby’s body trying to relax and let go, which is why it’s closely linked to sleepiness.
What Does It Mean?
The "Owh" cry indicates that your baby is feeling sleepy or fatigued. This is a common cry that signals that your baby is not getting enough rest or needs help falling asleep.
3. “Heh” – The Discomfort Cry
The "Heh" cry is a sound that signifies discomfort or frustration. This is one of the most common cries that parents encounter, as babies may feel discomfort for a variety of reasons—whether it’s a wet diaper, tight clothing, or gas.
What Does It Mean?
When your baby makes the "Heh" sound, it’s a sign that something is causing them discomfort. They might be experiencing pressure from gas, need a diaper change, or be too hot or cold.
4. “Eairh” – The Pain Cry
Another key sound that Dunstan identifies is the "Eairh" cry, which is often associated with pain or a feeling of distress. This cry is typically longer and more intense, and it signals that something is causing your baby genuine pain or discomfort.
What Does It Mean?
The "Eairh" cry typically means that your baby is in pain, either from something like teething, an injury, or even reflux. It is often more intense and can come in short bursts.
5. “Eh” – The Burp Cry
The final sound Priscilla Dunstan mentions is the "Eh" cry, which usually occurs when your baby is trying to release gas or burp. This cry is generally short and repetitive, indicating that your baby needs help with digestion.
What Does It Mean?
The "Eh" cry typically means that your baby has air trapped in their stomach or is feeling uncomfortable due to gas. Babies often swallow air while feeding, which can cause discomfort if it’s not released.
Conclusion
Understanding your newborn’s crying can feel like a daunting task, but with time, practice, and a bit of patience, you’ll start to recognize the differences in their cries. Whether your baby is hungry, tired, or seeking comfort, responding effectively to their cries will help you build a strong bond and promote a sense of security.
While crying is a natural part of newborn development, it’s essential to remember that babies are not "manipulating" you—they are simply trying to communicate their needs. By paying attention to the context of the crying and using the tips and strategies outlined here, you can better understand what your baby is trying to tell you and provide the care they need to feel loved, safe, and secure.
