It happens to every newborn; either they sleep, or they eat, or they cry. But it is exhausting and frustrating for parents when their baby is crying continuously, especially at night. Sometimes you become worried thinking about what is wrong with your baby. At times you blame your parenting skills. Almost all the parents go through this similar situation. It rarely happens that newborns sleep and eat quietly, without crying. Most of them become fussy and don’t want to stop crying. There are many reasons for their nonstop screaming. This article is all about those reasons and how to handle your baby in these situations. Keep reading.
Why Does My Baby Scream for No Reason?
First of all, you need to know that newborns communicate through crying. So, there is always a reason behind his screaming. Every baby is different, but all of them cry when they need anything or upset due to some reason. Never compare your junior with another baby. Instead, a baby who doesn’t cry or scream less and comfortable to handle is a bit unresponsive, when a baby doesn’t react much needs to see a doctor.
Crying is the babies’ communication options to their parents, making them understand their needs and pains. As infants grow up, they start to smile, several movements and sounds, crying decreases.
Sometimes we see some parents complain that their baby sleeps during daytime and cries all night. It’s because a newborn takes time to settle into a new world. After spending nine months in total darkness, daylight may create discomfort for them. Therefore, they sleep all day long and cry at night because they are hungry or need a changed, fresh diaper.
When Babies Cry Nonstop?
To calm down a crying baby or giving him comfort, at first, parents need to know the causes. There are many reasons which can make your baby feel distressed and force him to cry incessantly. Give a glance at the following:
Hunger: Hunger is the most common reason for crying. As the infants have a very tiny stomach, they eat less in each feeding time. So, they need to eat every two or three hours. If the time break between two feeding time becomes lengthy, a kid initiates crying to let the mother know that he is starving.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: As they don’t have a developed digestive system, Gastroesophageal Reflux is common among babies. Frequent vomiting and discomfort like coughing, refusing to eat are some common symptoms of acid reflux. When an infant struggles with Gastroesophageal Reflux, he expresses his pain by nonstop crying or screaming.
Sleepiness and fatigue: If your baby gets tired, he may cry and show up upset until you respond to him. Try to understand his favorite place to sleep, where and how he feels comfortable. Learn by trial and error, after some days you will get the point.
Food allergies: Some babies may have a sensitivity of specific foods like cow’s milk, eggs, fish, wheat, etc. If your baby shows an allergy to these products, you will have to stop consuming them. You won’t be able to get the result immediately; it will take a couple of weeks.
Overstimulation from noise: When noise or other disturbing activity affects babies, they show their irritation by whining. Sound calamities affect toddlers most.
Pain or illness: Sometimes, babies may suffer from a physical problem, for which he is screaming in pain. Your baby can become fussy due to belly pain, skin irritation or any other pain.
Stranger anxiety: Some babies feel insecure around unknown people and express their fear by crying. They prefer the presence of their parents or familiar adults. And when the relative staying your home is stranger for your kid, it may make him uncomfortable.
How to Make Babies Stop Crying?
Always check the clock and feed him before he starts crying for hungriness. If it’s almost two-three hour from the last feeding, feed him again.
If your baby is suffering from acid reflux or frequent hiccupping, try burp during feeding. It will reduce colic and spit up after feeding. Check our article on baby hiccupping remedies.
Consult with a doctor. He will diagnose if your baby has a sensitivity to dairy products. If he has, you need to remove all kinds of dairy products from your diet.
Babies who don’t like noise; place them in a room where they can sleep peacefully. Or, create a place that he will love to sleep.
Try to understand if he has any pain, for which he is not feeling well. Belly pain is prevalent among baby due to food sensitivity, or Gastroesophageal Reflux. Increase burp while feeding to reduce the chance of these problems.
Break your babies fear in your way. Make him familiar with the unknown people around him. Hold and adore him, sing, talk to him and make others do the same with your baby.
Change baby’s diaper from time to time. It will make him feel comfortable and help you to keep your baby away from diaper rash.
Soothe a Crying Baby or Calm a Crying Infant in 5 Seconds:
- Make sure he doesn’t have a fever. Keep checking the body temperature of your child. And, if it is more than 100.4°F, call the pediatrician immediately.
- Swaddling the baby in a towel may make him feel more secure.
- Let him lying on his stomach and burp on his back. It will feel him alright if he is suffering from any stomach problem like gas, colic etc.
- If he is annoyed by noise, make another sound which will drown out other noises. If possible sing or talk to him.
- Make a rhythmic motion without shaking him too much, take him to a balcony, or ride in a stroller.
- Give him a pacifier to suck it.
The most important thing is how much you understand your baby. The more you will understand the reason behind his crying, the merrier you will be able to make him stop crying. Try to understand the difference between the sounds. Sounds of crying due to hunger must be differing from crying due to pain. Try to understand the intensity of his expression and body languages. Thus you will be able to find a way to stop a crying baby.