Crying is communication. Always respond to your baby’s cry. Never ignore a crying baby. Attend to your child no matter how busy or tired you are. It is important that you respond so your baby feels safe, loved and grows up to be an emotionally balanced adult.

Babies have the gift to communicate via their cries. Parents and care takers need to be familiar with what the baby needs with the kind of cry it displays.

Be patient and never lose your temper or shake a baby.

Keep calm, take a deep breath or ask for help. If nothing works, call your baby’s doctor immediately.

Let’s learn to be acquainted with your baby’s cry.

• Cry of Parent
  Loud, shrieking, sometimes calling for a parent. Eyes are open, but child won’t recognize you and will even fight you, inconsolable, can last anywhere between 10 and 45 minutes. It may happen when the child has already gone to sleep and wakes up in a terror. Soothe your baby and respond to your baby with a sooth voice, and if required holding your baby close to you. It is important the child feels secure and knows my parents will come to me when I cry. It will build a sense of security in your child. Do not deprive your child of your warmth and availability.
• Cry of Hunger
  A pleading cry pursued by sucking or putting the finger in mouth is may mean, I am hungry. Feed your baby.
• Cry of Pain
  A high pitched angry cry may mean, a baby is startled or in pain, this cry is sharp and leaves the baby breathless. Do not ignore. Attend to your baby and call the doctor.
• Cry of Boredom or Pick Me Up!
  A cry that initiates with a soft cry and then increases in pitch may mean, baby is either tired of something, bored, wants to be held or may want to interact.
• Cry of Sleep, Yawn!
  A long whiny nonstop cry is I am tired please put me to sleep. Put your child to sleep and offer comfort.
• Cry of Uneasiness!
  Whiny, breathy, hesitant, irritable, recurring sound, increases in volume and intensity. The baby may fidget with the body. Cold skin may mean the baby may be stuck in a position, is uneasy in a position, chilly or warm, diaper is wet or full, may have a fever, may be the socks is half out or the clothes are stuck. Attend to your little one.
• The Cry of Separation or Wanting To Be Held
  A puzzled pause followed by a rapid start of high-pitched cry. It may mean they want to be held, or their care taker just left the room. Cuddle your baby and comfort your baby. Hold your baby and soothe your baby.
• The Cry of Tiredness
  A sharp, open-mouthed cry followed with rubbing of eye. Put you’re your baby to sleep on the back in the crib or gently soothe the baby in your arms.
• Cry of Burp
  A whiney cry followed by a sound to a fright grumble cry. It may mean your baby needs to burp, has gas, or stomach pain. Try to make your baby burp and pass gas.