Why Does my Baby Cry?

Question

We have just had a baby - well he's 8 days old now. I don't have a probelm with his crying, but why does he always do it from about 11pm till 4am?
How long does this last for? His body clock needs adjusting!!!

Answer 1

sounds like he may have colic dr sears has a great website and addresses this among other things on there.
My daughter also did this, and I found a swing helped with white noise. I turned on a hair dryer on low as crazy as that sounds the white noise helped soothe her. I also used gripe water when it was very bad (just obviously don't get the indian brand which has alcohol in it) I used ones from the UK which can be bought at Whole Foods or Organic markets. Also car rides may help a lot.
It DOES get better. Usually after 3 months old.

Answer 2

I use to call it the witching hours, all babies have a need to cry. So long as you have feed,changed, and there is no medical situation it is ok to let a baby cry till they fall asleep. Constant none stop at all for More than 15mins there is something wrong (at this age) You can change these hours but you have to be consistent. Figure out what time baby is the most tired and keep them awake eventually their clock will adjust to your liking. They need to be on a schedule after awhile you have got to have a lot of patience in the beginning There shouldn't be or it isn't easy or really the right thing to do at this age. Put the shoe on the other foot,
Think what has just happens to baby. It takes time to adjust. Give it time. I had so many problems after giving birth, and one day it all got better I mean over night Good Luck Try and sleep when the
baby sleeps if you can

Answer 3

I thnk this is the list of why babies cry:

Hungry, thirsty, wet, dirty, bored, overstimulated, tired, lonely, insecure, frightened, hot, cold, uncomfortable, wants to be left alone.

This does not, of course, include in-pain or ill.

The simple fact is that when your baby was born he didn't know the world existed. Now he's seen it he'd probably prefer to move to somewhere a bit smaller. He cries becaue he has absolutely no other form of communication.

If he is eating OK and responding to his environment then relax and enjoy him - crying and all. If he senses you are calm and confident it will make him all the more comfortable with himself.

I repeat what some other answerers have said, don't leave him to cry - you will break the bond of trust he needs with you. Remember also that, until he is about two and a half, the list of reasons he cries will not include "Wants to wind you up."

If you are into the idea then get a hold of "Secrets of the Baby Whisperer" by the late Tracy Hogg. Its a good straighforward book that teaches nothing but establishment of a routine and making sure your baby is confident in you as a parent.

In a nutshell just be calm, confident, loving, patient and consistent. If you can do that then you will be (a) a great parent; (b) better than me; and (c) the proud parent of a happy baby.

Answer 4

Yes it does. I had this problem, I had it for 9 weeks from birth, all night crying, sleeping all day. You have to be strong, you have to stop it now, if the baby is fed and watered and has a clean nappy you have to ignore the baby. I know this sounds horrible and it is hard believe me or the problem will escalate. Make sure though that, when the baby is due for a feed you wake him up, dont let him sleep on cos you are tired and want to lay on, you will regret it. You will find that he will switch days into nights before you know it. Wake him at his feed time, then bed time after last feed, he is down for the night ( or what ever his next feed is) I had to get my mother and sister to help me turn my daughters clock around as I was too exhausted. All the above was on the advice of my health visitor and doctor. It worked, it only took 7 days.
Best of luck.

Answer 5

If he is crying all the way through every night than he may be a little colicky. No one really knows why babies are colicky, but usually in my experience they are having stomach pain. Is he breastfed or bottle fed? He may need a change of formula, or watch what mom eats before she nurses. Sometimes it is simply a matter of excess gas that needs to be passed.

Some people find that going for a ride or setting the car seat on the top of the dryer (do not leave him unattended!) can calm a cryer down. I suppose turning on the vacuum could help in the same manner. If you get frustrated (perfectly normal) , do not feel guilty about setting him down in a safe place and letting him cry until you get a hold of yourself. He won't necessarily remember any of this, but he will learn that you are a comfort to him just by being available for him.

If nothing works, you will need to call his Dr. and see if they have any suggestions.

Don't worry about his clock, he will regulate himself once he stops needing to sleep all of the time. He will notice that all of his people are more willing to play when the sun is up!

Answer 6

Hi there, I am not a parent yet or married, but I do know about children : Your baby cries most likely for one of the following reasons: Its typical for newborn babies to feel a little insecure when its most cold ( assuming you have a heater) since they are used to being within their mothers womb. Also babies normaly during the first 6 mos need nuitrition every 2 hours ( I do not mean insult - alot of newbies dont know this) . Perhaps he is a very expressive baby? Alot of newborn babies cry during the night for the first 2 weeks because they are adjusting. However you should make sure he is not in any discomfort so you may want to consult with your physician.

Answer 7

Infants only cry out of necessity.They are not trying to annoy you.

Either he is hungry, needs a diaper change, needs to be burped or need help to settle down by being held, rocked and given a binkie to suck on.Remember that sucking is the only way infants can deal with stress.It is important they have access to that.
Try to slip in a nap during the day.
Congrats on your new baby.
He is way too young to expect him to sleep through the night.

Answer 8

my daughter is now 5 months old i had the same problem i put my baby on greedy baby food try that or a new routine like first bottle at 6.00 babies at that age eat every 3 hours so the sooner the first bottle of the day the better.then an hour before last bottle try bathing them and a relaxing massage.works wonders

Answer 9

I'm sorry but you will have to get used to the idea that your baby is not and won't be on your clock for quite a long time.

After you've bathed and changed him, wrap him snuggly in one of your baby blankets so he's good and bound, like swaddling - he'll settle down much easier.
Swaddling is much like a papoose style, lay the blanket flat and fold over one of the corners. Lay baby so his head is at the top of centre of the fold and then straighten his left arm down his side (or slightly bent over his tummy) and grab the right hand side of the blanket corner and bring it over to the right of baby - keeping his arm firmly but gently against his body, and tuck the blanket corner under his back so that his arm is snug against his body without him being able to move it. repeat this process with his right arm and the left corner of the blanket, wrapping the blanket firmly under his back and snug enough that he can't move his arm. Lay him on his back to sleep. Don't be concerned if he struggles a bit. He will calm down.
After you swaddle him and before you lay him down to sleep, you can also try laying him on your lap and gently rocking back and forth and sing softly to him.
Believe it or not, this will calm him right down and he will sleep better and be a much calmer baby.

Hope you have some sucess with this...Enjoy your children. they are fun and miracle, but definately a challenge.

Answer 10

It'll adjust. Feed him and put him back down. Or just hold him a bit. Don't ignore him...he needs the security that you are there for him. 8 days is really young. I always noticed that when they reach the 10 pound mark, they tend to settle in.