What are the Types of Baby Cries and What Causes Them?

Moms know what is best for their babies. More often, they know what their baby's needs are and how to keep them happy. However, sometimes when a baby cries, parents are confused as to what it means? Is he hungry? Is he tired and sleepy? Maybe he is not feeling well? What if he has poop in his diapers? 

For new moms, it is hard to identify what each cry means, Add to the fact that postpartum blues sometimes invade moms who have just given birth. How will you know what your baby's cry means? 

Here is a guide for you, whether first-time moms or tenth-time, some are still clueless as to what their baby's cries mean. 

See also: 8 Helpful Ways to Minimize Postpartum Hair Loss

Baby is hungry

When babies are hungry, you can tell it from their cries. When they sound like "wah wah wah," that means his stomach is empty and needs refilling. You may also notice that his mouth is opened wide, looking for something to suck, or he would be making sucking sounds or sucking his thumb. 

Be sure to feed him immediately because crying is already a late sign that he is hungry. Before giving him the milk, try to calm him down because he might gulp in gas while drinking milk too fast or be too upset to eat. 

Baby is in pain

One sign that your munchkin is in pain is when his cry is urgent or distressed. You would know it is gas when he puts up his legs and scrunches up his face. Try to make him burp, and one way to do it is by holding his head face down with your hands and body along your forearms known as "colic carry."

A sick baby would cry out a little weaker, and if this happens, talk to his pediatrician for immediate care.

Baby is tired 

A tired baby would cry out "owh owh owh" sound and is usually mixed with yawns and eye rubbing. When you hear whiny, continuous cries, it is a sign that it is time for bed. Put your baby to sleep immediately as delaying would make your little one too tired to fall asleep. 

Related: 7 Simple Tips on How to Get a Baby to Sleep in a Crib

(Photo: unsplash/Minnie Zhou)

Baby is uncomfortable

A whiny cry that sounds like "eh eh eh" means that your baby is uncomfortable. Make sure that the room temperature is just right or check if he has wet diapers. Check also if your baby is in an awkward position and try to ease his discomfort. 

See also: 6 Ultimate Reasons Why Your Baby Passes Green Poop

Baby has colic

Intense screams for at least three hours and usually happens three or more days in a week for three weeks, or more are classified as colic cries. It typically happens around three weeks of age until three months. No wonder it is called the rule of threes. 

You can soothe your baby by doing the colic carry or let him listen to white noise. Better yet, you could give him a warm bath to make him relax. 

Baby wants to cry

Sometimes, babies cry for no reason at all. He may just want to cry it out, just like how adults do to feel better. It is what parents commonly call as the "fussy" cry when the reason for their baby's crankiness is unclear. 

(Photo: unsplash/ Marcos Paulo Prado)

Finding out what your baby's cries mean takes lots of practice and patience. Do not be afraid to let your baby cry because it might send you the signal on what he wants. Crying is also essential to building the communication skills of your baby, so let them be.