Why Is My Child Crying? Important Things Every Parent Should Know

Crying is a way of communication for infants and newborns. According to the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP), it is normal for an infant to weep for 2 to 3 hours each day during the first three months of their life. It is the only way by which the infant conveys its needs to the parents. However, if the child keeps crying the entire day despite getting good sleep or being fed properly, it could be an indication of something that may require medical assistance.

Reasons why your child could be crying!

Some of the common reasons that may make your child weep inconsolably are:

• Hunger: If the child has just woken up from sleep or it has been three to four hours since they last ate, hunger may cause them to weep. If your baby hasn't eaten in a while and his/her mood is rapidly deteriorating, it's time for the parents to feed him/her properly.
• Child diseases: Excessive sobbing may also result from a medical condition or infant sickness. Some of the diseases that may make your child weep include gastroesophageal reflux, hair wrapped around a finger, toe, or penis (hair tourniquet), a cut on the eye's surface (corneal abrasion), an anal fissure, and middle ear infection.
• Colic: According to research, colic is a symptom characterised by extreme sobbing and sudden abdominal discomfort. The painful attacks generally affect newborns under the age of three months and may last many hours. The fact that the disease seldom lasts more than three months should be comforting.
• Separation anxiety: Separation anxiety disorder (SAD) may occur at any age in a child's life, but it is most frequent between 12 and 20 months. A child's concern or dread of being apart from family members can lead to the development of SAD. SAD may be diagnosed by a child psychiatrist or another mental health professional after assessing the child's mental health.
• Other reasons: Over-tiredness is a typical cause of crying. Crying during the night or trouble getting back to sleep after waking up are two of the common reasons for crying in infants. Furthermore, night-time phobias can get frequent after the age of three. Children from the age of 3 to 8 months often cry out in the middle of every night. They may not recall the dream or reason for sobbing when they wake up.

When to seek professional advice?

While crying is a normal phenomenon in infants, you must consult a doctor:

1. When there is inexplicable, frequent, or prolonged sobbing.

2. If the baby's weeping is accompanied by patterned behaviour such as fidgeting or rocking.

3. When there is a fever or other indicators of sickness, along with constant baby weeping.

Newborn care: how to calm a crying infant?

Parents must understand and respond to their children's needs to comfort them. Some of the reasons for a baby's cry may be addressed by gently rocking them, feeding them on time, monitoring their temperatures, and ensuring that they receive enough sleep. However, there can be times when the parents would have no clue about why their child could be sobbing. In such cases, it is important to consult a doctor to ensure the baby's well-being.

If you need medical advice, 

Consult an Apollo Paediatrician

 

Medically reviewed by Dr Sonia Bhatt.