Category: 4. Crying and colic

In discussions about helping babies learn to fall asleep on their own, you may hear “self-soothing” mentioned a lot. The term can sometimes be interpreted as a parent making a baby “cry it out” or ignoring their cries. This is absolutely not true.

Allowing babies to learn calming strategies gives them an important life skill. Leading by example and teaching good coping skills from the beginning helps babies become happy, well-adjusted children.

Figuring out what your baby needs & what helps

Teaching how to self-soothe involves a learning curve for you as well as your baby. If your baby is extremely irritable, for example, they may be hungry (and then you need to feed them) or very tired (and then you need to try to help them sleep). If you think your baby is in pain, you need to address that.

If all of these are ruled out and your baby is fed, changed, and well rested but fussy, then you can try a progression of calming techniques (see below).

Too often, when your baby is crying (which may seem like all the time!), you may have the instinct to immediately pick them up. Instead, next time try slow down and take steps to really learn about your baby and what they need. Try each technique slowly, and pause to see how your baby responds; you will both learn what helps and what doesn’t.

Soothing techniques to try

The order of the progression is important because you are doing less at the beginning by just using your voice and more at the end when you are holding and possibly feeding your baby. The goal is for your baby to calm with less intervention from you, and for you to move away from holding your baby all day, something that happens frequently with fussy babies.

The CALM Baby Method progression

• Look at your baby, letting them see your eyes.
• Look at and talk to them.
• Put a hand on their belly or chest.
• Hold their arms together in toward the body or curl their legs up toward their belly.
• Change their position by rolling them onto their side (while awake, only).
• Pick up your baby and hold them in your arms or at your shoulder (but don’t move yet!).
• Hold and rock your baby.
• Swaddle your baby and rock them.
• Place a pacifier in their mouth (or assist them to get their hand or thumb to their mouth to suck). You can also try this earlier in the progression if your baby likes pacifiers.
• Feed them if you think this will help.

Other strategies to help calm your baby

Other strategies you can incorporate include massaging their back while you are holding them, singing to them, walking with them, and using white noise. When babies are extremely fussy, we tend to try many things to help them calm. But sometimes this means we are adding more stimulation to an already overwhelmed sensory system, and this can be backfire.

You may hold them, walk around, change positions, pat, sing, pass them on to your partner, for example, and this is too much input. Some parents we have worked with choose an intense strategy, such as sitting on a gymnastics ball and bouncing; however, this is risky, as your baby’s head control may not be strong enough to handle this intense movement or you could accidentally fall off the ball with your baby in your arms.

Give your baby time to settle down

When babies are inconsolable, we advise parents to try one strategy (1 or 2 sensory inputs) for about 5 minutes before moving on the next. This may seem like a long time, but it allows your baby to process the sensations and gives them time to settle. A great position to try is the arm drape or “hanging out” position (holding the baby on your forearm facing the floor, their head near your elbow supported in your hand.) It may take a couple of minutes, and sometimes the crying may escalate before it starts to ease.

Other things you can try include standing up and holding your baby firmly while they are sucking on a pacifier, shushing or patting them, and swaddling and rocking them. Just don’t attempt all the strategies at once or in too quickly in a row, or they will get overstimulated!

You can also try decreasing the intensity of the the interaction; talk more quietly, move more slowly, use less animation in your face. Try to stick with one method for five minutes; if it does not help your baby calm, move on to a different strategy and give that one five minutes. Give each strategy a good try before giving up. Every time your baby cries, try the strategy, and do this for at least a day to see if it helps your baby to make a change. If you feel like a certain strategy works some of the time, try that one first.

Consistency is key when trying to establish some behaviors. Your baby might not stop fussing immediately. But when you use the strategy each time she cries, your baby may be getting used to it and may calm more quickly over time. Remember that one parent may have a strategy that works best for them, while the other has a different strategy that helps most, and this is absolutely fine!

Your growing baby

As babies get older, their cries change, and so should your strategies to help them calm. Sometimes parents find a strategy that works well with their baby, such as doing squats with their baby in their arms, that is much more difficult to do with an older, heavier baby! Parents tend to stay with strategies that once worked and may be reluctant to try something different, fearing that it might not work. Babies can get too big for a baby swing, or a parent bouncing a baby while sitting on a gymnastic ball could be more difficult or even risk a fall as the baby gets heavier. Be open to when it is time to try something different that may be more suitable or safer for your baby as she grows.

Seek help when you need it

Don’t hesitate to talk with your pediatrician. If you and your baby are still frustrated, there are more resources that can help. Consider contacting a pediatric occupational therapist who specializes in treating infants, an infant mental health specialist, or a pediatric developmental psychologist. These professionals can help you understand your baby, help you learn how to read their cues, and help you promote self-regulation. Interview these professionals to make sure they have the professional experience you are looking for to have the best chance of success.

Crying serves several useful purposes for your baby. It allows her to call for help when she’s hungry or uncomfortable. It shuts out sights, sounds, and other sensations too intense to suit her. And it helps her release tension.

You may notice your baby has fussy periods, even when she’s not hungry, uncomfortable, or tired. At times it may seem like nothing can console her. Right after these spells, she may seem more alert than before, and then may sleep more deeply than usual. This kind of fussy crying seems to help babies get rid of excess energy to allow for a more contented state. 

As you get to know your infant’s crying patterns, you may feel as if you can identify specific needs by the way she cries. Is she hungry? Angry? Distressed or in pain? Sleepy? Each baby will use her voice differently.

Different types of cries

Sometimes different types of cries overlap. Newborns generally wake up hungry and crying for food. If you’re not quick to respond, your baby’s hunger cry may turn to a wail of rage. You’ll hear the difference. As your baby ma­tures, her cries will become stronger, louder, and more insistent. They’ll also begin to vary more, as if to convey different needs and desires.

The best way to handle crying is to respond promptly during her first few months. You cannot spoil a young baby with attention, and if you answer her calls for help, she’ll cry less overall.

When responding to your child’s cries, try to meet her most pressing need first. If she’s cold and hungry and her diaper is wet, warm her up, change her diaper, and then feed her. If there’s a shrieking or panicked quality to the cry, consider if a piece of clothing or something else is making her uncomfortable. Perhaps a strand of hair is caught around a finger or toe. If she’s warm, dry, and well fed but the crying won’t stop, try the following consoling techniques. Find the ones that work best for your baby:

• Rocking, either in a rocking chair or in your arms as you sway from side to side
• Gently stroking her head or patting her back or chest
• Safe swaddling (wrapping her snugly in a receiving blanket)
• Singing or talking
• Playing soft music
• Walking her in your arms, a stroller, or a carriage
• Rhythmic white noise and vibration
• Burping her to relieve any trapped gas bubbles
• Warm baths (most babies like this, but not all)

When all else fails

Sometimes, if all else fails, the best approach is simply to leave the baby alone in a safe location such as a crib. Many babies cannot fall asleep without crying and will fall asleep quicker if left to cry. The crying shouldn’t last long if the child is truly tired.

If the crying does not stop, but gets more intense and continues throughout the day or night, it may be caused by colic. Most often, colic means simply that the child is unusually sensitive to stimulation or can’t yet console herself. As your baby matures, this inability to self-console—marked by constant crying—will improve.

In breastfeeding babies, sometimes colic is a sign of sensitivity to a food in the mother’s diet. Colic drops are expensive, and studies suggest that they’re not effective. You can look into more non-medication options such as tweaks to your diet, slow feeding, and appropriate burping ​​to help. 

If your baby is inconsol­able, she may be sick. Check her tempera­ture. If you take it rectally and it is 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher, she could have an in­fection. Contact your pediatrician.

The more relaxed you remain, the easier it will be to console your child. Even very young babies are sensitive to tension and react to it by crying. Hearing a wailing newborn can be agonizing, but letting your frustration turn to anger or panic will only intensify your infant’s screams.

Taking a break

If you start to feel you can’t handle the situation, set the baby down in a safe location and get help from a family member or friend. This will give you needed relief, and a new face can sometimes calm your baby. No matter how impatient or angry you feel, do not shake or hit the baby. Shaking an infant hard can cause blindness, brain dam­age, or even death. It’s important to share this information on crying with any­one else who cares for your baby, including your spouse, partner, or babysitter.

Remember

Above all, don’t take your newborn’s​ crying personally. She’s not crying because you’re a bad parent or because she doesn’t like you. All babies cry, often without any apparent cause. Newborns routinely cry one to four hours a day. It’s part of adjusting to this strange new life outside the womb.

No parent can console his or her child every time she cries, so don’t expect to be a miracle worker. Instead, take a realistic approach. Line up some help, get plenty of rest, and enjoy all those wondrous moments with your child.

Pacifiers have proven themselves to be yet one more source of parenting controversy. Breastfeeding purists say stick to your guns and keep them out of your newborn’s mouth—even when your baby is not yet able to use his own fingers as an alternative. (We would note that if and when your baby is able to find his own fingers, it’s OK to let him continue using them as natural pacifiers.) Others forewarn that pacifiers are simply a bad habit waiting to happen.  Well fear not, as long as you understand a few practical pacifier principles and pitfalls. In fact, pacifiers have, in recent years, earned the status of a valuable ally in the fight against sudden infant death syndrome. Whether you choose to breastfeed or bottle-feed, or a combination of both, here are some tips for if and when you decide to give your baby a pacifier.

• Soothing through sucking. Pacifiers can be invaluable in soothing babies as well as satisfying those who want to suck all the time. You need not worry about your baby developing a lifelong dependency on them. Just be very careful not to offer your newborn a pacifier at times when he really should be fed instead because pacifiers can inappropriately pacify hungry babies as well as those who are looking for comfort.
• Picking out the perfect pacifier. These days, picking the perfect pacifier may seem like a considerable task, given all of the various brands and styles on the market. To the best of our knowledge, there’s no correlation between price or marketing strategy and effectiveness, so we simply recommend trying one out and seeing if your baby likes it.
• If at first you don’t succeed. When you first offer your baby a pacifier, don’t be surprised if he seems uninterested, gets downright angry, or spits it out even when you know he’s not hungry and just wants comfort. For breastfed babies, sucking on a pacifier inherently requires a different technique, and one that may take a few tries. For breastfed and bottlefed babies alike, a nipple that does not provide milk may not be quickly welcomed. As you offer your baby a pacifier, try lightly stroking just to the side of his mouth and then gently holding the pacifier in his mouth for a moment as he starts sucking to keep it from popping right back out. 
• A practical pacifier substitute. The cheap, easy, and ever-present pacifier substitute: your pinky finger. If you find yourself in the position of wanting to soothe your baby by giving him something to suck on other than your breast, you can always use your (clean) little finger. Simply turn your hand palm-side up and let your baby suck on your pinky finger, allowing it to rest gently in the roof of his mouth. As a word of caution for anyone with longer fingernails than ours—you may want to rethink how much you value your long nails, or at least the one on your little finger. You may find that it’s a small sacrifice to make to clip it shorter for the sake of having a contented baby. Some babies will learn to find their own fingers to suck on earlier than others, so do your best to make sure those fingers are clean (and have clipped nails too!)
• Passing on pacifiers. If your baby just isn’t that much of a “sucker,” he may not need to be soothed by sucking on a pacifier at all. Just be thankful that there’s one less thing to keep track of during the day, and just consider offering one as he is falling asleep. 

All babies are born with the need to suck. This is important because babies need the sucking reflex to eat and drink. Sucking for some babies also can have a soothing and calming effect.

What do I need to know before offering a pacifier?

If your baby wants to suck beyond what nursing or bottle-feeding provides, a pacifier may satisfy that need. Before offering a pacifier, keep the following tips in mind:

• Offer a pacifier at nap time and bedtime. This helps to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). If you are breastfeeding, wait until breastfeeding is going well before offering a pacifier. This usually takes about 3 to 4 weeks.
• Do not use a pacifier to replace or delay meals. Only offer it when you are sure your baby is not hungry.
• Do not force your baby to take the pacifier if he doesn’t want it.
• Never tie a pacifier to your child’s crib or around your child’s neck or hand. This is very dangerous and could cause serious injury or even death.
• Be prepared for night waking. If your child depends on a pacifier to fall asleep at night, he may wake up when the pacifier falls out. If you child is too young to put it back in his mouth or can’t find or reach it if it has fallen out of the crib, you may need to wake up and get it for him.

What should I keep in mind when shopping for a pacifier?

• Pacifiers come in different sizes. You will also find a variety of nipple shapes, from squarish “orthodontic” versions to the standard bottle type. Try different kinds until you find the one your baby prefers.
• Look for a 1-piece model that has a soft nipple (some models can break into 2 pieces).
• The shield should be at least 11/2 inches across so a baby cannot put the entire paci¬fier into her mouth. Also, the shield should be made of firm plastic with airholes.
• Make sure the pacifier is dishwasher-safe. Follow the instructions on the pacifier and boil it or run it through the dishwasher before your baby uses it. Be sure to squeeze the water out of the nipple with clean hands; otherwise, the hot water inside might burn your baby’s mouth. Clean it this way frequently until your baby is 6 months old so that your infant is not exposed to germs. After that you can just wash it with soap and rinse it in clear water.
• Buy some extras. Pacifiers have a way of getting lost or falling on the floor or street when you need them most.
• Do not use the nipple from a baby bottle as a pacifier. If the baby sucks hard, the nipple may pop out of the ring and choke her.
• Pacifiers fall apart over time. Some manufacturers have expiration dates for pacifiers. Do not keep pacifiers past that time. Inspect them every once in a while to see whether the rubber has changed color or has torn. If so, replace them.

​​All babies are born with the need to suck. This is important because babies need the sucking reflex to eat and drink. Sucking for some babies also can have a soothing and calming effect. However, when does sucking become a problem?

Read on for information from the American Academy of Pediatrics about pacifiers, when pacifier use and thumb and finger sucking could become a problem, and how to help your child stop pacifier use or thumb or finger sucking.

What do I need to know before offering a pacifier?

• If your baby wants to suck beyond what ­nursing or bottle-feeding provides, a pacifier may satisfy that need. Before offering a pacifier, keep the following tips in mind:
• ​Offer a pacifier at nap time and bedtime. This helps to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). If you are breastfeeding, wait until breastfeeding is going well before offering a pacifier. This usually takes about 3 to 4 weeks.
• Do not use a pacifier to replace or delay meals. Only offer it when you are sure your baby is not hungry.
• Do not force your baby to take the pacifier if he doesn’t want it.
• Never tie a pacifier to your child’s crib or around your child’s neck or hand. This is very dangerous and could cause serious ­injury or even death.
• Be prepared for night waking. If your child depends on a pacifier to fall asleep at night, he may wake up when the pacifier falls out. If your child is too young to put it back in his mouth or can’t find or reach it if it has fallen out of the crib, you may need to wake up and get it for him.

What should I keep in mind when shopping for a pacifier?

• ​Pacifiers come in different sizes. You will also find a variety of nipple shapes, from squarish “orthodontic” versions to the standard bottle type. Try different kinds until you find the one your baby prefers.
• Look for a 1-piece model that has a soft nipple (some models can break into 2 pieces).
• The shield should be at least 1½ inches across so a baby cannot put the entire paci­fier into her mouth. Also, the shield should be made of firm plastic with airholes.
• Make sure the pacifier is dishwasher-safe. Follow the instructions on the pacifier and boil it or run it through the dishwasher before your baby uses it. Be sure to squeeze the water out of the nipple with clean hands; otherwise, the hot water inside might burn your baby’s mouth. Clean it this way frequently until your baby is 6 months old so that your infant is not exposed to germs. After that you can just wash it with soap and rinse it in clear water.
• Buy some extras. Pacifiers have a way of getting lost or falling on the floor or street when you need them most.
• Do not use the nipple from a baby bottle as a pacifier. If the baby sucks hard, the nipple may pop out of the ring and choke her.
• Pacifiers fall apart over time. Some manu­facturers have expiration dates for pacifiers. Do not keep pacifiers past that time. Inspect them every once in a while to see whether the rubber has changed color or has torn. If so, replace them.

When do pacifier use and thumb and finger sucking become a problem?

If your child sucks strongly on a pacifier or his thumb or fingers beyond 2 to 4 years of age, this behavior may affect the shape of his mouth or how his teeth are lining up. If your child stops sucking on a pacifier or his thumb or ­fingers before his permanent front teeth come in, there’s a good chance his bite will correct itself. However, if the bite does not correct itself and the upper adult teeth are sticking out, orthodontic treatment may be needed to realign the teeth and help prevent broken front teeth.

How can I help my child stop her pacifier use or thumb​- or finger-sucking habit?

• As a first step in dealing with your child’s ­sucking habits, ignore them! Most often, they will stop on their own. Harsh words, teasing, or punishment may upset your child and is not an effective way to get rid of habits. Instead, try the following:
• Praise and reward your child when she does not suck her thumb or use the pacifier. Star charts, daily rewards, and gentle reminders, especially during the day, are also very ­helpful.
• If your child uses sucking to relieve boredom, keep her hands busy or distract her with things she finds fun.
• If you see changes in the roof of your child’s mouth (palate) or in the way the teeth are lining up, talk with your pediatrician or ­pediatric dentist. There are devices that can be put in the mouth that make it uncom­fortable to suck on a finger or thumb.

No matter what method you try, be sure to explain it to your child. If it makes your child afraid or tense, stop it at once.

The good news is that most children stop their sucking habits before they get very far in school. This is because of peer pressure. While your child might still use sucking as a way of going to sleep or calming down when upset, this is usually done in private and is not harmful. Putting too much pressure on your child to stop may cause more harm than good. Be assured your child will eventually stop the habit on her own.

​Here are ways you can try to comfort a crying baby. It may take a few tries, but with patience and practice you’ll find out what works and what doesn’t for your baby.

• Swaddle your baby in a large, thin blanket (ask your nurse or child’s doctor to show you how to do it correctly) to help them feel secure.
• Hold your baby in your arms and place her body on their left side to help digestion or stomach for support. Gently rub their back. If your baby goes to sleep, remember to always lay her down in her crib on her back.
• Turn on a calming sound. Sounds that remind babies of being inside the womb may be calming, such as a white noise device, the humming sound of a fan, or the recording of a heartbeat.
• Walk your baby in a body carrier or rock them. Calming motions remind babies of movements they felt in the womb.
• Avoid overfeeding your baby because this may also make them uncomfortable. Try to wait at least 2 to 2½ hours from the beginning of one feeding to the next.
• If it is not yet time to feed your baby, offer the pacifier or help your baby find their thumb or finger. Many babies are calmed by sucking.
• If food sensitivity is the cause of discomfort, a change in diet may help.
  • For breastfed babies: Moms may try changing their own diet. See if your baby gets less fussy if you cut down on milk ­products or caffeine. If there is no ­difference after making the dietary changes, resume your usual diet. Avoiding spicy or gassy foods like onions or ­cabbage has worked for some moms, but this has not been ­scientifically proven.
  • For bottle-fed babies: Ask your child’s ­doctor if you should try a different for­mula. This has been shown to be helpful for some babies.
• Keep a diary of when your baby is awake, asleep, eating, and crying. Write down how long it takes your baby to eat or if your baby cries the most after eating. Talk with your child’s doctor about these behaviors to see if their crying is related to sleeping or eating.
• Limit each daytime nap to no longer than 3 hours a day. Keep your baby calm and quiet when you feed or change themr during the night by avoiding bright lights and noises, such as the TV.

Checklist for what your baby may need:

Here are some other ­reasons why your baby may cry and tips on what you can try to meet that need. If your baby is…

• Hungry. Keep track of feeding times and look for early signs of hunger, such as lip-smacking or ­moving fists to his mouth.
• Cold or hot. Dress your baby in about the same ­layers of clothing that you are wearing to be comfortable.
• Wet or soiled. Check the diaper. In the first few months, babies wet and soil their diapers a lot.
• Spitting up or vomiting a lot. Some babies have symptoms from gastroesophageal reflux (GER), and the fussiness can be confused with colic. Contact your child’s doctor if your baby is fussy after feeding, has excessive spitting or vomiting, and is losing or not gaining weight.
• Sick (has a fever or other illness). Check your baby’s temperature. If your baby is younger than 2 months and has a fever, call your child’s ­doctor right away. See Fever and Your Baby for more information.
• Overstimulated. Try ways to calm your baby mentioned above.
• Bored. Quietly sing or hum a song to your baby. Go for a walk.

Why parents & caregivers need breaks from crying babies:

If you have tried to calm your crying baby but nothing seems to work, you may need to take a moment for yourself. Crying can be tough to handle, especially if you’re physically tired and mentally exhausted.

• Take a deep breath and count to 10.
• Place your baby in a safe place, such as crib or playpen without blankets and stuffed animals; leave the room; and let your baby cry alone for about 10 to 15 minutes.
• While your baby is in a safe place, consider some actions that may help calm you down.
• Listen to music for a few minutes.
• Call a friend or family member for ­emotional support.
• Do simple household chores, such as vacuuming or washing the dishes.
• If you have not calmed after 10 to 15 minutes, check on your baby but do not pick up your baby until you feel you have calmed down.
• When you have calmed down, go back and pick up your baby. If your baby is still crying, retry soothing measures.
• Call your child’s doctor. There may be a medical reason why your baby is crying.
• Try to be patient. Keeping your baby safe is the most important thing you can do. It is normal to feel upset, frustrated, or even angry, but it is important to keep your behavior under control. Remember, it is never safe to shake, throw, hit, slam, or jerk any child—and it never solves the problem!

Does your infant have a regular fussy period each day when it seems you can do nothing to comfort them? This is common for babies. It tends to happen between 6:00 p.m. and midnight—just when you, too, are feeling tired from the day. These periods of crankiness may feel like torture, especially if you have other demanding children or work to do. Fortunately, though, they don’t last long.

When are babies the most fussy?

The length of this regular fussing usually peaks at about three hours a day by six weeks, and then declines to one or two hours a day by three to four months. As long as your baby calms within a few hours and is relatively peaceful the rest of the day, there’s no reason for alarm.

Symptoms of colic in babies

If the crying does not stop, but intensifies and lasts throughout the day or night, it may be caused by colic. About one-fifth of all babies develop colic, usually between the second and fourth weeks. Colicky babies cry inconsolably, often screaming, extending or pulling up their legs, and passing gas. The crying spells can occur around the clock, although they often become worse in the early evening.

What causes a colic?

Unfortunately, there is no definite explanation for why this happens. Most often, colic means simply that the child is unusually sensitive to stimulation. They may not be able to “self-console” or regulate their nervous system (also known as an immature nervous system.)

Sometimes, in breastfeeding babies, colic is a sign of sensitivity to a food in the mother’s diet. The discomfort is caused only rarely by sensitivity to milk protein in formula. Colicky behavior also may signal a medical problem, such as a hernia or some type of illness.

How long does colic last?

As they mature, this inability to self-console—marked by constant crying—will improve. Generally, “colicky crying” stops by three to four months, but it can last until six months of age.

How to relieve colic symptoms

Although you simply may have to wait it out, several things might be worth trying. First, of course, consult your pediatrician to make sure that the crying is not related to any serious medical condition that may require treatment. Then ask the doctor which of the following would be most helpful.

• If you’re nursing, you can try to eliminate milk products, caffeine, onions, cabbage and any other potentially irritating foods from your own diet. This is good to discuss with your pediatrician first. Try eliminating only one thing at a time, and expect it to take about two weeks before you may see any changes.
• If you’re feeding formula to your baby, talk with your pediatrician about a protein hydrolysate formula. Less than 5% of colicky crying is caused by food sensitivity, but in rare cases a change may help within a few days.
• Do not overfeed your baby, which could make them uncomfortable. In general, try to wait at least two to two-and-a-half hours from the start of one feeding to the start of the next.
• Walk your baby in a baby carrier to soothe them. The motion and body contact will reassure them, even if their discomfort persists.
• Rock your baby, run the vacuum in the next room, or place them where they can hear the clothes dryer, a fan or a white-noise machine. Steady rhythmic motion and a calming sound may help them fall asleep. However, never place your child on top of the washer/dryer.
• Introduce a pacifier. While some breastfed babies will actively refuse it, it will provide instant relief for others.
• Lay your baby tummy-down across your knees and gently rub their back. The pressure against their belly may help comfort them. If they fall asleep this way, place them in their crib on their back.
• Swaddle them in a large, thin blanket so that they feel secure and warm.

When you’re feeling tense and anxious, have a family member or a friend look after the baby—and get out of the house. Even an hour or two away will help you maintain a positive attitude. If no other adult is available to help, it’s OK to lay the baby on their back in the crib or another safe place and leave the room for a few minutes.

Remember

No matter how impatient or angry you become, a baby should never be shaken. Shaking an infant hard can cause blindness, brain damage, or even death. Let your own doctor know if you are depressed or are having trouble dealing with your emotions. They can recommend ways to help.

Crying serves several useful purposes for your baby. It gives her a way to call for help when she’s hungry or uncomfortable. It helps her shut out sights, sounds, and other sensations that are too intense to suit her. And it helps her release tension.