Excessive crying in newborns

Excessive crying in newborns: The language you need to understand

Crying is the only way your newborn can communicate with the world. It is his language, through which he signals his needs, discomfort, or simply fatigue. However, when the crying becomes prolonged, intense, and seems impossible to soothe, parents begin to feel bewildered, helpless, and even guilty. It is important to understand that excessive crying is a common problem, and it does not mean you are "bad" parents.

Why do newborns cry?

Before panicking, check the baby's basic needs. Most often, crying signals:

• Hunger. A newborn's stomach is very small, so they need feeding every 1.5-3 hours.
• Dirty diaper.
• Discomfort: the baby may be too hot, cold, or bothered by uncomfortable clothing.
• Fatigue: Newborns get tired quickly. If the baby is "overstimulated", it may be hard for them to fall asleep, and they will cry from overstimulation.
• Need for contact: For nine months the baby was in close contact with the mother. After birth, they need hugs, being held, and a sense of security. This is a key need of the "fourth trimester" "fourth trimester".

When is crying colic?

If you have checked all basic needs and the baby continues to cry wildly, especially in the evening, it may be colic. The classic definition of colic is the "rule of threes": crying lasts more than three hours a day, more than three days a week, for more than three weeks. Colic is a diagnosis of exclusion, given when the baby is healthy but cries intensely. You can read about how our family went through this period in the blog "Our story of battling colic".

Purple Crying Period (PURPLE Crying)

Modern pediatricians also use the concept of the "Purple Crying Period" to explain this stage. It is an acronym that describes the characteristics of normal infant crying, which starts around 2 weeks, peaks at 2 months, and subsides by 3-5 months. This helps parents understand that this stage is normal and will end.