Crying is very important for babies. Because they are so helpless, crying is thenly way they can get their needs met. Babies cry to make sure they survive, so it is important we respond. Going to babies when they cry does not spoil them.Some reasons babies cry are: being hungryr thirsty, being too hotr too cold,needing comfort,not being well,needing a nappy change,needing closeness with you,having pain,being frightenedr lonely.

Babies under 6 months old

Babies do not cry to make you come to them. They are notld enough to remember you when you are not there. They cry because they need something, but they dont know what they need. You can findut what they need by findingut what makes your baby feel better. If you attend to your babys needs when he cries he will learn that the world is a safe and friendly place to be. As he getslder he will cry less.

You can help settle your baby by:

making sure your baby is not hungryr uncomfortable

picking up your baby and holding him close to you if he is frightenedr lonely

holding your baby upright against your shoulder if he is uncomfortable

rockingr pushing the pramver a little bump

findingut what your baby seems to like [some babies are helped by a dummy and some like musicr sounds such as a clock ticking]

watching for what happens when he is more settled and learning to know him and what he needs. See the topic Crying baby for more information.

Babies over 6 months

They may cry from being uncomfortabler hungry,r because they remember you when you are not there and they want you. This is sometimes called separation anxiety. It is normal and a partf their love and trust for you. They slowly learn that you are there for them and you wont leave them for long, so they start to feel safe without you, but this takes time to learn.ften babies at this age will wake at nightr are harder to put to bed because they miss you and they dont yet understand that you always come back.

You can help by:

You always letting your baby know when you leave her. Wave goodbye and let her know when you return

playing little games such as peek-a-boo to help her get used to your going and coming

leaving hernly with people she knows well and feels safe with

if you need to reassure her at night, try putting a bed in her roomr putting her cot in your room so you can get some sleep as well.