TAKING CARE OF A CRYING BABY

A colleague’s wife called recently due to frustration from the baby endless cry at night. She was frustrated due to sleepless nights resulting from this. The mother advised her to get some over the counter medications, while some other people suggested an herbal mixture. I advise her to keep doing exclusive breastfeeding, making sure the child is comfortable at all time by  making sure room is well ventilated, wearing light clothing for the baby when the room is stuffy, feeding baby on demand and changing diaper as at when due.

 I discourage her from buying the over the counter drugs as most may bring about a temporary and not a permanent relief but causing unfavourable side effects to the babies especially constipation.

She called back to say the excessive crying is now under control without any medication.

Sometimes, a child who is less than 90 days old may have the sudden onset of unexplained crying. The parents may notice that crying is the only symptom they can relate to the doctor, because the younger the child, the harder it is to identify the cause of the crying.

The common causes of new-onset crying include hunger, desire to sleep, pain, when the child feels too cold or too hot, or when the clothing is too tight. Sometimes, the main cause of recurrent crying may be the normal fussy crying.

When a child cries for over three hours in a given day, it may be due to colic. Again, babies cry because of a bloated stomach as a result of overfeeding. Unlike gas, excessive milk can cause temporary discomfort.

Generally, gas does not cause crying, as all crying babies pass lots of gas and their intestines make lots of gassy noises. The gas comes from swallowed air and it is normal and does not become trapped or cause any pains.

Abdominal colic

This can cause excessive crying by the baby once or twice per day. When it happens, the baby is usually consolable when held and comforted. He acts normal (happy, contented) between bouts of crying, especially when he gets enough to eat and is not hungry. In this case, the baby is not sick.

The colic usually starts before a child is two weeks old and usually resolves by the time he is three months old and sometimes when he is four months old. In most cases, it does not require any medications.

Tackling normal crying or colic

•Reassurance: All babies cry when they are hungry. In addition, the average baby has one to two hours of unexplained crying scattered throughout the day. As long as they are happy and content when they are not crying, this is normal.

•Colic: Some babies cry excessively (over three hours a day) or are very difficult to comfort. If they are growing normally and have a normal medical exam, the crying is called colic. Remind and reassure yourself that colic is due to brain immaturity and has nothing to do with your parenting or any medical issue.

•Feeding: Feed your baby if more than two hours have elapsed since the last feeding (one and a half hours if the baby takes only breast milk).

•Hold and comfort: Hold and try to calm your baby whenever he cries without a reason. The horizontal position is usually best for helping a baby relax and go to sleep. Rock your child in a rocking chair, in a cradle or while standing. (Many babies calm best with rapid tiny movements like vibrations).

•Place the child in a windup swing or vibrating chair. Take him for a stroller ride, outdoors or indoors. Do anything else you think may be comforting (such as a gentle massage, or warm bath).

•Caution: Avoid baby slings before a child is four months old because they have caused suffocation in some babies!

When a child cries to sleep

If you can’t stop the crying and your baby is not hungry, let your baby cry himself to sleep. For some overtired babies, this is the only answer. You may strap him to the back your baby firmly, because if more than three hours have elapsed since he had the last nap, you can be sure your baby needs to sleep.

To take care of this problem,

•Encourage night time sleep (rather than daytime sleep): Try to keep your child from sleeping excessively during the day. If your baby has napped two hours or longer, gently wake him. Play with him or feed him, depending on his needs. This will help to reduce the amount of time your baby is awake at night.

•Warning: Never shake a baby. It can cause bleeding on the brain and severe brain damage. Also, never leave your baby with anyone who is immature or has a bad temper. If you are frustrated, put your baby down in a safe place and get help!

•Expected course: Once you find the right technique, the crying should decrease to one hour per day. Colic improves after two months of age and is usually gone by the time the baby is three months old. No medication is required!

In conclusion, call your paediatrician (baby doctor) if your baby starts to look or act abnormal, if he cries constantly over two hours even when you are using this advice; or if he cannot be comforted or the child becomes worse.