Crying is to be expected and is healthy, and for the next year — or more — it will be your baby’s signature mode of communication. At first, it can be a challenge to decipher what each cry communicates, and that’s to be expected. You are just getting to know each other, but very soon you will find that you understand your baby’s coos, gurgles, and cries as only a parent can.
Every baby is unique and your newborn has his own very recognizable cry that helps you to differentiate your baby’s sound from that of other crying babies, but at the root of each cry is a shared baby language. Researchers generally agree that within this language, the most used vocabulary is that of the howl, the whine, the wail, the whimper, the rhythmic sob, and the rhythmic cry. The vocabulary list we’ve compiled is meant to help you understand your baby’s language during the first wonderful months that mark your life together, and provides a guide as to what you may hear, and what it means.
A loud, sudden and piercing cry that repeats, getting louder each time, with pauses for baby to catch his breath between each cry. This vocalization and your baby’s body language — wide-open mouth and a tense body with arms and legs that may flail about — say, “Something hurts!” Look for immediate causes, like fever. Press around baby’s body gently, to see if you can determine what hurts. If the cry becomes excessive, with no discernible cause, contact your doctor.
A nasal cry that starts out soft, building in intensity as it continues. Accompanied by general fussiness, this is baby’s way of saying, “I’m tired!” If it is not nap time, it may be a sign that baby is over-stimulated by whatever is going on around him — too much handling, noise, etc., — and baby needs to be held and soothed. If your baby is already in his crib give him a few minutes to settle down and drift off.
Similar in sound to the howl, but typically accompanied by more wriggling and fussiness that communicates, “Change me!” Check for wetness and rashes and proceed accordingly.
A thin-sounding nasal cry, usually of low pitch and prolonged duration with pauses for breath. May be accompanied by a flushed face, listlessness and/or a refusal to eat that says, “I’m sick!” Check for fever and body language that can help you decipher the problem: Is baby rubbing his ear, which may indicate earache? Hold and soothe your baby, and if the crying continues and becomes excessive, contact your doctor.
A whimpering, low-pitched and persistent cry that says, “I want attention.” Baby may be bored or feeling excluded and is asking to be picked up, which usually calms him right away.
A low-pitched cry of stops and starts, without the shrillness of cries that sound desperate. Instead, this cry is accompanied by general fussiness and/or finger-sucking that is more demanding and communicates, “I’m hungry!” If it is feeding time, offer the breast or bottle. Burping your baby can also provide some relief.
This cry is easy to recognize because it occurs like clockwork daily and can go on for a few hours, during which time baby is not easily consoled. About twenty percent of babies suffer from colic, which may start at week two and decreases with age, typically ending by month five,2 although it may continue until month twelve.
Hunger is the most common cause of crying.
Babies cry, and as the saying goes, that’s their job. And sometimes your baby will cry for no apparent reason, in which case he may just need soothing. Carrying your baby provides warmth and closeness and can help relax him, as can the comforting motion of a rocking chair, car ride, or infant swing. A pacifier satisfies baby’s instinctive urge to suck (not related to hunger), and swaddling is often a successful soothing technique as it helps baby feel safe and secure.
Baby Fact: Always try to translate your baby’s message and soothe him, but know too that sometimes babies simply need to cry, and that crying can be self-soothing.
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