Crying Spells

Did you know that an average toddler cries for one hour to three hours a day? And maybe for some more hours of unbearable whining. Sometimes you've done everything but nothing seems to be the solution. And sometimes you just want to cover your ears and wish that the crying would stop in a blink of an eye. I can relate. I am a mother to a 20 months old boy. My son has few vocabulary words and because of his nature, the messages are compose of screams and wailing most of the times. It helps me to comprehend that this is perfectly normal. It's their way of communicating with us. Sometimes, they just want to tell:

I'm hungry.
This is probably the first thing you think of when your baby cries. Learning to recognize the signs of hunger will help you start your baby's feedings before the crying stage. Some signs to watch for in newborns: fussing, smacking of lips, rooting (a newborn reflex that causes babies to turn their head toward your hand when you stroke their cheek), and putting their hands to their mouth.

I need to be held.

Babies need a lot of cuddling. They like to see their parents' faces, hear their voices, and listen to their heartbeats, and can even detect their unique smell. Crying can be their way of asking to be held close.

I am tired and need a rest.

Aren't babies lucky? When they're tired they can simply go to sleep – anytime, anywhere. Or so adults like to think. In reality, it's harder for them than you might think. Instead of nodding off, babies may fuss and cry, especially if they're overly tired.You may wonder if you'll spoil your baby by holding him so much, but during the first few months of life that isn't possible. To give your arms some relief, try wearing your baby in a front carrier or sling.

I'm too cold or too hot.

When your baby feels chilly, such as when you remove his clothes to change a diaper or clean his bottom with a cold wipe, he may protest by crying. Newborns like to be bundled up and kept warm — but not too warm. As a rule, they’re comfortable wearing one more layer than you need to be comfortable. Babies are less likely to complain about being too warm than about being too cold, and they won't cry about it as vigorously.

I need my nappy changing.

Some babies let you know right away when they need to be changed. Others can tolerate a dirty diaper for quite a while. Either way, this one is easy to check and simple to remedy.

I need something to make me feel better.

If you've met your baby's basic needs and comforted him and he's still crying, he could be coming down with something. You may want to check his temperature to rule out a fever and be alert for other signs of illness. The cry of a sick baby tends to be distinct from one caused by hunger or frustration. If your baby's crying "just doesn't sound right," trust your instincts and call or see a doctor.

I just feel like crying.

Full tummy? Check. Clean diaper? Check. Fever-free? Check. So why is your baby crying? Babies have their own good reasons. Persistent and inconsolable crying in an otherwise healthy baby is traditionally called colic. Tummy troubles associated with gas or colic can lead to lots of crying. If your baby often fusses and cries right after being fed, he may be feeling some sort of tummy pain. Many parents swear by over-the-counter anti-gas drops for babies or gripe water (made from herbs and sodium bicarbonate). If your baby cries after a feeding, a good burp may be all he needs.

It's upsetting when it seems you can't do anything to ease your baby's distress. However hard it is at the time, rest assured that your baby will grow out of this trying phase. 

Source: BabyCenter

There you go fellow moms! Hope this helps in understanding and sympathizing our cry babies! :)