Why Won’t My Baby' Stop Crying?

Ever typed this into google at 3am and found yourself in the depths of “colic”, “reflux” and “purple crying”?

Brutal isn’t it? Kind of like a rollercoaster that you can’t ever get off. You feel sick and dizzy. You have a headache and want it to end. But it won’t. You just go round and round in circles; up and down.

If you’re in the thick of it, I’m here to tell you that firstly; the rollercoaster will stop. You will sleep again. Your baby will stop crying.

But more importantly that there will be a reason for the crying. It’s not as simple as waiting until they’re three months, four months, five months or 12 months. Babies cry to communicate. If the crying is excessive; there’s a reason for it. Im going to run through some of the possible causes of the crying to help you work through what it could be.

Hair Tourniquet

Sounds bizarre I know, but a hair that is tightly wrapped round a baby’s finger or toe, can be really painful. Check their fingers and toes to rule this one out!

Over Stimulation

Young babies, and even older babies can easily become over stimulated. Newborns in particular, have been used to a darkened safe space, only be to plunged into the modern day world of TV’s, being the parcel in the visitor pass the parcel game and loud noises, new sounds and smells. It’s A LOT. Pause the visitors, do some skin to skin, turn off the TV, Alexa, and head into a new environment. Get outside; anything that will help to reset and reduce stimulation.

Check their Latch

Whether breast or bottle feeding, latch can play a huge part in air swallowing. Air causes digestive discomfort. Digestive discomfort causes crying. Are they making clicking sounds? Do they have milk spilling from the sides of their mouth? Are they slow to gain weight? Are they vomiting more than just spit up with a burp? Think tongue tie. Think positioning and attachment. Think holding the bottle neutral if bottle feeding. Think paced feeding. Reduce air intake. And if they are swallowing air - burp, burp and burp again!

Question Allergies

Allergies are by no means my first go to for colic. You want to ensure other things are ruled out first. This is unless they have red flags such as blood in poo, or are covered head to toe in eczema. So often I see parents cutting dairy or trying 345384759 formulas; only to find that their baby is still pretty darn unsettled. Because their latch was the issue, or because their 2 week old baby had not napped all day. Rule the other things out first! But keep in mind that allergies can absolutely be a factor with excessive crying.

Think Tension

Are they scrunched up like a banana? Do they have a furrowed brow? Do they have their hands clenched up in tight fists? Are they hating tummy time? Do they scream blue murder in the car seat? Do they have a head preference? If you’ve had any birth trauma, babies go through this too. Consider some body work (osteopathy or chiropractor) to help reduce tension.

Don’t shake the Formula

If you’re formula feeding, DO NOT shake up the formula. Use a sterile knife or fork to stir it in gently. Shaking the formula causes excess air bubbles which baby may then swallow. Air causes crying!

Basically, anything that can cause discomfort, can cause crying! If you want to learn more and pin point symptoms in more detail; check out my handbook which will delve deeper into your baby’s symptoms and causes!

I have lived it and it is one rough ride. But we move. We have no choice.

You got this.

Faye x