Just like us adults, babies have various needs from the very beginning of their life. To get your attention, your child whines or cries. All babies are born with the ability to cry. This is crucial for your baby’s survival: By crying, a baby gains your attention and ensures that you attend to and care for him or her.
Some reasons why your baby might be crying:
Your baby is hungry or thirsty.
Watch for possible “warning signs” of hunger or thirst (such as sucking on its hand).
Your baby is tired.
Look for possible “warning signs” of tiredness (such as eye rubbing, yawning).
Your baby is overstimulated.
Too many stimuli at once (such as hectic handling; being passed around frequently; loud noises like voices, television; bright light, etc.) or transitions (such as going from awake to asleep) can overwhelm your baby.
Your baby needs comfort.
Sometimes your baby needs reassurance that you are nearby. Often, your touch is enough to make him or her feel safe.
Your baby is physically uncomfortable.
Check if the diaper needs changing, if he or she needs to burp, if it’s too warm or cold, or if the clothing is too tight or scratchy.