Why Do Babies Cry at Night?

A baby crying throughout the whole night can be exhausting and frustrating for the parents. But what must be taken notice of is that crying is your baby’s way to communicates his or her needs with you, or asking for your attention. That is why most babies stop crying when you comfort them. However, if your baby does not respond to your efforts to soothe him or her, there can be an underlying problem.    

A baby crying at night is usually normal. As said a baby cries to communicate his or her needs. It is also possible that the baby has confused day and night and sleeps through the day to stay awake at the night and crying for attention. The baby may also be trying to tell you that he is hungry, hot, cold, wet, uncomfortable or simply bored.

Here are some common reasons why a baby may cry at night:

1. Hunger

Learning to recognize the signs of hunger helps you to feed the baby on time and not let the baby’s hunger reach the crying stage. Hunger signs to watch for in newborn babies are fussing, rooting, and putting their hand to mouth.

2. Stomach ache from gas or colic

Tummy troubles can be a cause of lots of crying. If your baby fusses or cries right after being fed, he or she may have some stomach related problem. Schedule a check-up with the doctor to find out the definite ailment and get treatment for the same. Refrain from using anti-gas drops for babies or gripe water without consulting a doctor.

3. A dirty diaper

Some babies can deal with a dirty diaper for a while whereas some cannot tolerate it at all and they burst into crying asking you to clean them up.

4. Needs to sleep

Although it may seem to you that a tired baby would doze off to sleep right away, it is not the case. A baby instead of going to sleep at once may fuss and cry when they are overtired.

5. Extreme temperatures

If a baby is uncomfortable with the temperature of the room, he or she may resort to crying. Babies like to be kept warm, but if it gets too warm for them, they will make sure that you get to know it. However, they cry with more vigor when they feel chilly as compared to the crying when they feel too warm.

6. Teething pain

Teething can be a painful process for a baby. He or she may have to suffer from extreme pain as each tooth pushes out through tender gums. This may cause them to cry hard in pain. Try to feel the baby’s gums with your finger. You may find a hard nub of an emerging tooth.

7. Feeling unwell

If you have checked for every basic need and your baby is still crying, he or she may be coming down with something. Check the baby’s temperature for fever and be alert for other signs of illnesses. If the baby’s crying does not sound right to you, as it tends to be distinct from the one caused by hunger or something like that, follow up with a doctor.

At last, if you have checked for every possible cause know to you for baby’s crying and the baby is still not pacified, do not worry. Babies have their reasons to cry but they do not have words to tell you what is bothering them. You can still try to comfort them by holding them close to your body so that they feel your warmth and try to soothe them.