A newborn (birth to 6 months) cries to let you know he needs something. He/she does not cry to bug you. He/she is too young to be bad on purpose.

Things to check with a crying baby:

• Check the diaper. It may be wet.
• Check for diaper rash or any open diaper pin.
• Feed him/her, if he/she is hungry.
• Feel his/her skin to see if he/she is too hot or too cold. If so, change his/her clothes. He/she may be over-or underdressed.
• Check to see if he/she is teething.
• Check for bites from insects or pets. Talk to a doctor or nurse. Allergies or an illness can make a bay cry.

Actions to soothe the baby:

• Burp him/her.
• Rock him/her.
• Wash his/her face with a cool cloth.
• Run a fan or play soft music.
• Sing to him/her.

Tips for you:

• Sometimes a caregiver or parents get upset with a crying baby.
• Try to relax. Try to stay patient.
• Call and talk to a friend, relative, or neighbor.
• Ask someone you trust to watch the baby so you can get away for a while.
• If someone is not available, put the baby safely in his/her crib.

Step By Step

• When you talk to your baby and coo back to him/her, the two of you are playing his/her first listening game. In this way, the baby builds a repertoire of sounds that eventually becomes language.
• To get a toddler to listen to you, address him/her by name and talk about things that interest him/her.
• By age two, your child will probably be picking up language at a great rate. Talking and listening now become important to negotiating new social experiences.