LILLY LODGE Blog

Crying is a physiological process in the life of a baby. All normal babies cry to communicate with others. Since they can’t express their feelings in words crying is their only way for communication. If any uncomfortable feeling comes they simply cry. Normally babies cry in situations like hunger, wetting, too hot or cold, tight clothes, pain etc. Some kids need the presence of somebody otherwise will cry simply. Crying without any cause is habitual in some babies.  Even though crying is considered as normal it may worry the family members. Since the reasons for crying ranges from simple causes to serious causes it should not be ignored and hence exact cause has to be identified and managed accordingly.

 

The following are some points which should be considered while dealing with a crying baby.

 

1. It is dangerous to shake the baby vigorously.

 

2. Tight clothes can cause irritation hence it should be removed.

 

3. If the room is hot put a fan on and/or open the windows.

 

4. If the nappy/diaper is wet remove it, and after cleaning the parts make it dry with a soft towel.

 

5. Pat her back or stroke her head slowly and let her hear your soothing sound.

 

6. Give breast milk or a bottle and make her quiet.

 

7. If the climate is cold cover her in soft towel or small blanket.

 

8. Rock her gently in your arms and walk slowly around the room.

 

9. Take a music making doll and let her listen, or quietly sing to her.

 

10. Try a pacifier or help her to suck her thumb or fist.

 

11. If no response, change her position.

 

12. Walk outdoors with her.

 

13. Put her in her cradle or hold her sitting in a rocking chair, and rock gently.

 

14. If no response ask somebody else to carry the baby.

 

 

If, after all these steps, the baby goes on crying look for the following signs. ( Probable cause is given after every sign)

 

1. Press her abdomen gently. If she twists or resists you:—Colic

 

2. Pull her ear gently.  If she becomes worse or pushes your hands away:—Earache.

 

3. Feel her temperature on her forehead with the back of your hands:–Fever due to any infection.

 

4. Examine the skin from head to foot:–Eruptive disease: ,nappy/diaper rash, ,measles, vesicles, allergy, etc.

 

5. See the nose for any discharge:–Head cold.

 

6. Move the head gently to feel any neck stiffness:–Meningitis, head injury, etc.

 

7. Keep your ear near her chest to hear for any rattling sound:– Increased mucus in wind pipes.                                      (pneumonia, bronchitis, asthmatic bronchitis, etc.)

 

8. Examine the anal orifice:–Anal erosion: rectal polyp, crawling of worms.

 

9. Examine the genitalia:–Any discharge or erosion.

 

10. In male baby see the testicles which may be swollen or tender:–Orchitis: inflammation of the testes.

 

11. Also notice the body movements and look for any convulsions, rigors, vomiting, cough, labored breathing, etc.

 

If you see the above signs or any other abnormal signs consult your doctor for proper treatment as soon as possible.

 

Good luck, have fun with your baby, and keep on smiling….it makes people wonder what you’ve been up to.

 

‘Till next time, keep on reading!

 

Lilly

 

 

 

 

 

Tags: baby crying, why babies cry

This entry was posted on Saturday, January 30th, 2010 at 6:20 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.