Newborn behaviour: in a nutshell

In your baby’s early months, she is working out what the world is like. If your newborn cries and someone comes, and if she is cuddled, kissed and played with, she is going to think the world is a pretty OK place.

On the other hand, if your baby cries and nobody comes, or if nobody ever smiles or cuddles him, he is going to think the world is a pretty hard place.

Research shows that when a parent responds quickly to comfort a crying infant, the baby cries less often overall. It is absolutely fine to pick your baby up when she cries. It tells her that she is safe because you are a caring, responsive parent who loves her.

Why babies cry

Crying is a newborn’s way of communicating, of telling you what he needs. It’s a sound that can spur you into action (even when you are fast asleep). It can turn on a mother’s milk like some kind of magic remote control.

Crying peaks at six weeks old. This kind of crying will pass. The crying baby flowchart (PDF doc: 212kb) can help you eliminate possible causes of crying, but you might not be able to stop the crying every time. This can be hard for you.

Inconsolable crying

Some babies suffer long bouts of unexplainable crying, commonly called colic. Some people believe colic is because of stomach pain caused by wind. Many doctors now think it is simply natural behaviour for some babies, especially at the end of a long day.

Recent research suggests inconsolable crying might be caused by too much stimulation. Crying might help a newborn take control of her environment. It’s as if your baby is saying, ‘Enough already! I’m just going to cry to shut out the world’.

Coping with inconsolable crying

• Reduce the stimulation around your baby. This might help to soothe her.
• Try sitting in a quiet, dimmed room. Lay your baby on his side and rhythmically pat his back (remembering to turn him onto his back if he falls asleep).
• Inconsolable crying can be very distressing for parents. Try putting in some imaginary earplugs. Let the sound of the crying pass through you, and remind yourself that everything is OK. You are doing all you can to help your baby. 

If you feel frustrated, angry, helpless or distressed and are not able to respond to your baby safely, you might need to leave her to cry for a short time while you take time out or ask for help. Lay your newborn on her back in a safe place, like her cot, while you take a short break.

Dealing with crying gets easier as newborns get a handle on the world around them. Babies get better at showing us what they want. Also, we become experts at ‘reading’ their behaviour. Remember, no-one knows your baby better than you, but if you’re worried about your baby’s crying, talk it through with your doctor or child health nurse.

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  By Raising Children Network

  Newborn babies communicate by crying. It’s their way of telling you that they need something, maybe food, a nappy change or a cuddle.
  
  You can never give a newborn baby too much attention. In fact, a quick response to comfort a crying infant helps her understand that she is loved and cared for, and can ensure less crying overall.

  • Crying peaks at 6–8 weeks.
  • Inconsolable crying could be a sign that your baby has colic or that she is overstimulated.
  • Cope with crying by dimming lights in the bedroom and using a rhythmical patting motion to calm your baby.
  • If you feel you can’t cope, put your baby somewhere safe, take some time away from her and ask for help.

  This article is an extract only. For more information visit raisingchildren.net.au/behaviour/newborns_behaviour.html

  Sourced from the Raising Children Network's comprehensive and quality-assured Australian parenting website www.raisingchildren.net.au.