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Parenting Tips
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The tips & advice featured on the Blue Zoo Baby Boutique are for information purposes only, please consult a Doctor if you suspect anything wrong with your baby/child. If it is an emergency call 911 or your local community emergency number.
If you have any tips you would like to add or think we should offer, or find incorrect, please contact us at bluezoobaby@telus.net
Understanding A Crying Baby
Crying is a normal event in the lives of all babies. When a baby comes out of the woomb the first thing they usually do is cry. With the first cry they will take some air into their lungs for the first time in their life. From this it is clear that crying is a normal physiological event, still sometimes it can upset Mom or Dad & other Family members.
We all know that a baby can't tell his needs or troubles in words. The only way for him to communicate with others is by crying. Babies show some other signs like feet kicking, hand waving and head turning, ect. But the best way to take the attention of others is by crying.
Excessive crying may not have a firm definition because the crying habit changes from baby to baby and some babies can be calmed easily while others are difficult to sooth. If crying is distressing for the mother, father or caregiver it can be called excessive. Many a times baby will become quiet by giving breast milk, a bottle,soother or by carrying with a gentle rocking motion. Sudden onset of excessive crying means baby is distressed and needs attention. The causes of crying extends from simple reasons to life threatening conditions. Hence crying of a baby should not be ignored.
Most of the time it is difficult to find the cause of the cry. Common causes are discussed here for awareness.
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Common reasons for crying:
1, Hunger:
A hungry baby will cry till he/she gets milk. Here the old saying comes true "crying baby gets the milk".
2, Wetting:
Urination and defecation causes some discomfort and results in crying until his/her diaper area is cleaned.
3. Company:
Most babies/children need somebody near. If they feel lonely they cry. When their favourite doll slips away from the grip they cry for help.
4. Tired:
Babies also cry when they are overtired, something may have woken them up to early from a peaceful sleep, which can cause them to be overly tired. Baby may find it hard to sleep in unfamiliar surroundings or after being overstimulated from quickly moving objects & a changing surrounding. Ensuring proper sleep for age & folling a routine can help baby settle.
5. Heat & cold:
If a baby feels too hot or too cold they become restless and cry. Good Ventilation & a comfortable temperature will help baby sleep better.
6.Tight clothing:
Tight cloths especially during warm climate can cause the baby distress. Tight elastic or a clothing label that rubs against sensitive skin, can make baby feel uncomfortable & cause crying. Look for soreness areas that may/may not be red from rubbing, especially around the hip & inner thigh region.
7. Dark room:
Some babies need the area they are sleeping in to be dim or completely dark, especially babies with FASDE (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Effects), also know as FAS. Then there are some babies who wake in complete darkness & are scared, finding your babies preferance can be hard, so having a dimly lit night light can help ease the transition into sleep or waking up. Waking to strong light with also cause crying.
8. Mosquito:
Yes,these creatures disturb sleep by their blood sucking and bzzzz noice and make baby cry. Using a baby/child approved crib netting system can help keep these forever buzzing, biting creatures at bay.
9. Nasal blocking:
Baby may not be able to sleep when they have a cold or virus which is causing plugged nasal passages. Using a nose asperater may help to open them, if even for a little while, some relief always feels good. Make sure to follow all directions properly, Most Dr`s recommend the short neck asperaters.
10. Phlegm in throat:
This also causes difficult breathing resulting in cring. Often a typical sound can be heard with each breath. Raising the head of babies crib, by placing a rolled towel UNDER the crib mattress, can help.
11. General aching:
Generalised body ache with restlessness is seen in flu and prodromal stages of some infectious diseases can result in continuous cring. Always seek your Dr`s advice.
12. Non-Stop crying:
Some babies cry without any real cause, which can make a parent or caregiver feel at a loss of what to do. Many times a doctor is called for help or baby is rushed to a clinic or emergency department. If a parent or caregiver can not find the cause, it`s always best to seek a Doctor`s opinion, unless life threatening, than 911 or your local emergency number should be called right away.
13. Diaper/Nappy rash:
If a tight and wet diaper is kept on baby for a long time, it can result in a rash. A diaper rash can also be due to some allergic reaction to the elastic material of the diaper fabric or laundry detergent used to launder it. When the rash appears it causes soreness and baby become sleepless and cry. All other skin problems like eczema, ecthyma, candidiasis, ect., can also cause the same problem. An allergy to certain foods eaten by baby or mom which baby nurses from, can also cause a rash on baby. Again, always seek the advice of a physician, especially if you notice the rash has open sores, bleeding, cracked skin, yellow or any other color discharge, or is raised with blisters of any size. Most diaper rashes will heal if babies skin is washed with warm water & left to air dry & by changing as soon as baby is wet.
14. Earache:
Ear infections can be common in wet climates. Ear infections can spread from the throat. Ear infections can also result in rupture of ear drum causing discharge of pus. Ear aches usually become worse at night when baby is lying down or if there is a slight to strong wind. Baby will become restless and cry and may not allow you to touch the ear. Some babies with ear aches may rub the affected ear frequently. You may or maynot notice a red ear or the area around the ear to be red. Proping babies crip mattress up with a rolled towel UNDER the mattress may help to relieve some of the pain. Always seek medical advice immediately if you suspect baby has any type of ear infection, problem or injury.
15. Colic:
When baby crues continuously most of us diagnose it as colic. This problem is still a topic for debate because exact cause for colic is not known and diagnosis is also difficult to confirm. Colic may be associated with rumbling and distention of the abdomen. Baby often feels better when lying on their stomache, which is not the recommended position for babies to sleep in. Holding baby on your lap with their stomache facing your legs length wise, while support babies head, can help, some babies with colic find relief in some holding positions, using the football hold, has also been shown to help. Some babies may not like the feeling of their stomache being touched. Baby massage class may be helpful as well & most babies with colic enjoy a nice warm bath. Always seek the advice of your Doctor to diagnose colic.
16. Infections:
All infections cause some kind of pain or irritation resulting in crying. Infection may be anywhere in the body. Usually it is associated with fever, redness and swelling.
17. Allergies:
It is said that one man`s food is another man`s poison. Some food particles can produce some allergic reactions. Allergy is manifested in the form of redness, breathlessness, gastric symptons and continuous cring. Your Doctor will help you with ruling out problem foods, additives & other ingredients that can cause allergic reactions. Animal have also been know to cause allergic reactions, but these are very rare.
18. Hard stools:
Constipated babies with hard stools may cry when they get the urge to deficate/go to the bathroom. Some babies will hesitate to pass stool because of pain. A warm bath can help alleviate that pain. Always seek your Doctor`s advice before giving any type of medication for constipation or any other aliment.
19. Gastro esophagial reflex:
If baby cries after spitting up liquid or solids soon after feeding, it could be caused by gastroesophageal reflex. This is due to failure of the lower part of esophagus to close after food causing regurgitation from the stomach. It is difficult to diagnose this condition and can be confirmed by giving antireflex medicines. Again, consult your babies physical first before giving any type of medication or treatment, never self-diagnose.
20. Dentition:
During dentition baby can become restless with crying. It is often associated with gastric troubles and diarrhoea.
Some rare reasons are:
1. Bowel obstruction:
Bowel obstruction is associated with severe pain and vomiting. Abdomen is distended with rumbling sound. Baby is constipated with absence of flatus.
2. Septicemia:
Invasion of pathogenic micro organisms in to the blood is called septicemia. Fever is associated with this condition.
3. Torsion of testes in male babies:
When a male baby cries continuously his scrotum should be examined. Torsion of the testes produces severe pain which will be worse by touching the affected testes. If this is not treated properly it can damage the affected testes due to lack of blood supply.
4. Meningitis:
Initially there may not be fever, hence a crying baby with an alternate vacant stare and irritability should not be ignored. The Fontanel may bulge, there could be neck rigidity and seizures may appear later. Seek Professional advice as soon as possible.
5. Retention of urine:
Children with retention of urine will have agonising pain making them restless.
6. Major injuries:
Major injury to any parts of the body causes pain. Occasionally a baby will fall while crawling or learning to walk or climbing and it could result in a head injury. Head injury is associated with reflex vomiting and convulsions. Always seek medical advice immediately if you suspect any type of injury to your baby or child.
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| DISCLAIMER
Best efforts have been made in the preparation of this information. The Blue Zoo Baby Boutique has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information herein. However, the information contained within this site is given without warranty, either expressed or implied. The Blue Zoo Baby Boutique can not be held liable for any damages caused directly or indirectly by the links and information on this site. In addition, changes and improvements to the information provided herein may be made at any time.
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