There may be point when you are holding your fussy baby in your arms that you think, What am I doing wrong? Why does she cry so much? While it is easy to blame yourself in those haggard moments, realize that all babies fuss at some point. Often the source of the problem has to do with meeting a basic need, and appropriate attention to newborn care can help soothe your cranky kiddo.
Time for a Baby Diaper Change
A good starting point when going through the mental checklist of "Does she need..." is to consider the diaper.
Despite the fact that diapers can hold a lot of urine, some babies will not tolerate an even slightly wet diaper. Truthfully, can you blame them?
Be sure to check if it is time for a baby diaper change. You also should make sure the diaper isn't digging into her skin and causing discomfort. It may be time for you to up-size her diaper. Other possibilities are a diaper rash or a sensitivity to the diaper. Some diaper brands may be less irritating for her than others.
Feeding Needs
Especially when it comes to newborns, you may need to feed them more frequently than you suspect. Though in decades past doctors recommended strict feeding schedules for babies, the American Academy of Pediatrics now acknowledges that it is best to watch your infant rather than the clock to determine when she needs to be fed. And while you don't want to offer your baby the breast or stick a bottle in her mouth after every fuss and whimper, be sure you aren't tuning out her feeding cues. Feed her appropriately according to her needs, and keep in mind that during growth spurts she may need to be fed more often.
Infant Gas Pains and Burping
Let's face it - if you've got a baby, there is not a day that will go by without some amount of baby gas and a good deal of baby burps. It's possible that your baby is cooking up some good stinkers, and she needs your help to pass them. Infant massage or holding your baby in a way that helps put gentle pressure on her tummy might help clear those clogged pipes. If she's having particular difficulty passing gas, some parents rave about infant gas relief drops, also called simethicone drops. There is no research proving simethicone drops really help, but they won't do any harm if you want to try them.
Burping may also be an issue. Though it seems simple enough, burping a baby may require a bit of finesse. Some babies are harder to burp than others, and you may need to pat more firmly than what you would think is necessary. Moreover, you may need to try different burping positions rather than the traditional over-the-shoulder method. Experiment with the positions to find the one that works best for you and your baby.
If your baby's fussiness continues, you may want to consider other ways to soothe her. Always talk to your pediatrician if you think her fussiness are a sign of a medical problem, such as colic.