One of the most upsetting sounds to a parent can be that of their crying infant. Though most people are aware that crying is a natural part of caring for a baby, many people wonder whether their baby’s crying is excessive. We are here to reassure you that it is likely not. 

All babies, whether or not they have colic, cry more during the first three months of their life than at any other time. Some studies have shown newborns can cry up to an average of 5 hours per day. This actually means that many newborns cry in excess of 5 hours. Yikes! Similar studies have also linked the sound of an infant’s cry to elevation of hormone levels in their mother. This is why it’s so hard on you if you hear your baby cry! Often times, mothers can feel their baby is in distress. They feel as though their baby may have gas, an upset stomach, and/or be in pain. These are all normal signs/symptoms for a newborn. Try to remember that newborns are experiencing all these feelings for the first time in their life, and even mild and innocent things such as hiccups or gas, may cause them to cry or scream in distress. 

Your pediatrician will look at your baby’s growth and development during routine check-ups. Many harmful conditions can be ruled out if a baby is growing well. Your physician will also check for things like thrush, rashes, a hair tourniquet, infections and/or allergies to milk protein, all of which can make your baby cry more than typical. A normal physical exam in a growing infant should be very reassuring. If your pediatrician thinks there some colic at play, that can seem daunting but there is good news: colic typically resolves by 3 or 4 months of age and will not affect your baby long term. It is around that time that infants grow into babies and they learn to communicate their wants and needs in other ways. Those 3-4 months are often harder on the family than on the infant. Hang in there! It may not seem like it, but it will certainly improve and this too shall pass. 

The cause of colic is still unknown, however, we do know that it is not caused by something in the baby’s environment or something the family is doing. Your Pediatrician may review some soothing techniques including using a pacifier, taking your infant for a walk or a car ride, rocking your infant, providing a warm bath, doing baby massages, providing white noise etc. Your Pediatrician may also review feeding techniques with you and go over proper swaddling techniques. Occasionally, none of those measures will work, and it is just a matter of having patience and giving it a little time. In those cases, I highly recommend not trying to “do it all”, rest as much as possible and use all the helping hands you can get. If you get frustrated, put the baby down in a safe environment on their backs and give yourself a break. 

At PediPals we understand that dealing with fatigue and a crying infant is a one of the most stressful parts of caring for a newborn. Talk to your doctor about your baby’s growth and development. The best thing he or she can tell you is that your baby is normal and this will all pass. Remember that most colic resolves within the first 4 months of life and that colicky babies will not remember a thing about this challenging time when they are older! Look to family members and spouses for support, and if you get frustrated or overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to ask for help. You got this!

Your PediPals