CRYING

I think the crying of your baby can be one of the most difficult adjustments as a new parent. You might feel very anxious when your baby cries or you might feel very helpless. Why is your baby crying? What can you do to calm your baby?

Crying is normal.

Some babies are what we call “low criers” and other babies may be “high criers”. A “low crier” may cry 2-3 hours per day. A “high crier may cry 5-6 hours per day.   Why?    We don’t know exactly why some babies cry more than others. Since crying is the only way they can communicate their needs right now, we will hear quite a bit of crying.

There is a predictable time for increased crying, which is at 2 weeks of age according to their due date. This crying tends to peak at about 2 months and then decreases until 3-4 months. This is normal. All babies go through this.
The National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome has called this “the period of “PURPLE Crying”. They have promoted the education of parents to this period of crying as a prevention of shaken baby syndrome.

Each letter of purple describes the crying.

            P   is for peak, which is 2 weeks until 3 or 4 months.

           U   is for unexpected. The baby can be fine and suddenly start crying.

           R   means the baby may resist soothing.

           P   means they may have a pain-like look on their face.

           L   is for long lasting. Some babies may cry for up to 5 hours.

           E   the crying usually happens in the evening.

This crying can be difficult for the parents to deal with. If you ever find yourself getting very frustrated with the baby:
1) hand the baby to another adult for a little while
2) if you are alone- lay the baby down in a safe place while you step away from the baby and calm yourself.
You may need to call someone else to give you a break or just talk you through the frustrations. Babies are able to “drive us to the edge”. The wise parent knows when to ask for help.

In my package for babies 0-12 weeks I will teach you ways to comfort your baby and minimize this period of crying. 

Sleep Packages

Helping Babies Sleep