CRYING CHECKLIST FOR INFANTS
A crying baby has something to tell us. We just have to figure out what it is.
CRYING CHECKLIST FOR AN INFANT (in order from most common to rare.)
Is he hungry? This is easy to find out: offer some milk. If he slurps it up like he is starving, then probably he was hungry. It is always possible he is hungry, even if he just ate.
Is she wet or poopy? Check the diaper. Even if you just changed her.
Does he need to burp? Hold him upright over your shoulder, and gently jiggle and rub the lower back.
Is she too hot or too cold? This can be a little harder to determine. Use common sense. (taking the temperature does not help ... we will get to “fever” in a moment.)
Is his skin uncomfortable in some way? Itchy skin is common. It can be due to allergies, lotions, soaps, or most anything. A tiny baby will not necessarily scratch. Eczema is VERY common, and will show up as dry skin. New unwashed clothes will itch. A sock can be too tight, or any article of clothing might be twisted in an uncomfortable way. The best course of action is to undress the baby completely and take a good look all over at the skin.
Does she have a tummy ache? Tummy aches are common, and it can be hard to be sure. Most baby tummy aches feel better if you lay the baby crossways across your lap, tummy down, and bounce baby very gently up and down with your legs.Some babies like to be carried upright and have their tummy rubbed. Usually she will soon pass some gas and feel better. (Or, she may produce a monster poopy and then feel better!)
Is it “colic’? After a while, you will definitely know if you have a “colicky” baby. Once you recognize a colic episode, follow your pediatrician’s advice. Often you will do lots of walking and carrying the baby around. Avoid ANY medication at this age! That includes anything “natural” or “homeopathic” or “over the counter” or whatever. Nothing is safe to give the baby at this age. Your baby will outgrow the colic soon. Comfort him and be patient. However, the very first colic episode is difficult indeed! Colic tends to start suddenly, and you won’t know what’s going on. Keep going through this check-list!
Is he just tired and grumpy? Well, that’s likely. If you have tried everything above, then just try cuddling and rocking, or cuddling and walking, for at least 15 minutes by the clock. He should begin to calm down. If he is beginning to calm, keep going for a bit. After he stops crying, keep going another full minute or two, then gradually decrease the pace of the walking or rocking. Very very gradually, slow down to where you are motionless, without changing your position of holding him. Usually, he will give a little startle about 30 seconds after you become still. If he does not wake up at that point, he is relaxed, and you probably can lay him down.
If none of that works, then you must consider more difficult problems.
Is she sick? Check the temperature. If it is over 100, call your pediatrician’s office.Don’t give any fever medicine at this age until you have spoken with the nurse.(If Baby has a fever, it might be something serious, and it’s important that she still have it when she arrives at the emergency room or clinic.) If you can’t get the nurse, take the baby to the nearest hospital which has some sense about children.
Is he hurt? Broken bones are not usually obvious in a small baby. Broken bones can occur due to falling or being dropped, and also due to child abuse.Think back over anything that might have happened in the last day or two, and also think back over who has cared for your child if you weren’t there. Go to the emergency room. The health and safety of your child take priority here over anything else!
Is it something weird and rare? It’s not likely, but it’s possible. If you are worried, call the pediatrician or go to the nearest well staffed hospital.In general, a “doc-in-the-box” is not a good idea before the age of 2. Babies are VERY VERY different from adults, and the average “urgent care” doctor does not have adequate training. If the crying won’t stop, don’t hesitate: take the baby to the ER!
Are you, or your partner, very stressed out by this crying? To the point of possibly hurting the baby? This happens. The parents are exhausted, and are experiencing many life changes. One or both parents may know very little about babies, and may feel like the baby is crying on purpose. IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO SOLVE THE CRYING BY ANY TYPE OF DISCIPLINE! DO NOT PHYSICALLY HURT YOUR BABY! It won’t help. It will make things MUCH worse. If you are at this point, you need to get HELP, in the form of another person. Call anybody you can think of! It might be a friend or relative. You might have to call 911. Or, you might need to just walk over to the nearest kindly neighbor and beg for help! Someone will help you. There is no need to hurt your baby!