What is causing my baby to cry and how do I calm him down?

It’s the one thing that all parents struggle with: what is causing my baby to cry and how do I calm him down? It’s completely natural for your baby to cry and it is the way that he expresses himself to the world.

As baby sleep consultant Natalie Herman explains, by learning to understand your baby’s cues, you’ll soon know how to respond:

HUNGER Create a log so you know when your last feed was. In the early days when fatigue is at its worst, it can be very hard to remember when you last fed your baby.

DIRTY NAPPY Check your baby’s nappy and make sure you change it regularly – as in every few hours.

FATIGUE When did you last put your baby down for a nap and how long did he sleep for? An overtired baby will cry quite hysterically and will show many tired signs, such as rubbing his eyes, pulling his hair, arching his back and yawning. Try not to keep him awake too long in between naps.

He wants to be held While it’s important not get into bad sleeping habits, don’t forget that sometimes your baby may just want to be held. It can be that simple.

HE WANTS TO BE CLOSE TO HIS MOTHER He was inside you for a whole nine months so it’s natural that your baby needs to be in close proximity to you. Make sure to always tell your baby when you leave the room and when you are coming back.

HE IS SICK If you notice that your baby just isn’t himself, such as fatigued, not hungry and crying for excessive periods of time, take him to the doctor just to ensure he’s not sick.

HE IS TEETHING This can be a very painful process. Consult with your doctor before giving him
pain medication to ensure you are prescribing the appropriate dose for your baby’s age group.