Tips for New Moms During the First Few Weeks - WebMD
Tips for New Moms: The First Few Weeks · Get some fresh air. If you're feeling stir-crazy, get outside. · Spend quality time with others. As a new mom, you're ...
newborn
Connect with others. Caring for a <anchor>newborn</anchor> day and night is often isolating, and COVID can make things worse. For Aleeah Alexander, meeting other new moms virtually helped her feel less alone. “I used the Peanut and What to Expect apps, and Facebook mom groups,” the Atlanta mom says. “I was amazed how many other moms were just as lost as I was.” You can also find an online or in-person new mom support group.
Why Babies Cry: Common Causes - Watch WebMD Video
Why Babies Cry: Common Causes - Watch WebMD Video

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# Baby Crying Causes

![](https://img.lb.wbmdstatic.com/vim/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/dam/editorial/parenting/miscellaneous/why-babies-cry/graphics/thumbnails/final/why-babies-cry-280x190.jpg?resize=750px:*&output-quality=35)

Hide Video Transcript

## Video Transcript

Harvey Karp, MD, FAAP

All babies cry. But there are lots you can do to help them be calm and happy. We begin with some of the basics…step by step. For starters, newborns miss the comforting rhythms they enjoy in the womb. I believe the key to understanding babies is to recognize that they come into the world 3 months before they're fully ready. That's why a big part soothing your little one – and getting some extra sleep – is giving at least 3 months – a 4th trimester – of extra rocking, shushing and touch. Of course, babies have other reasons for crying, too. To help you figure out why your baby is upset, look for these little hints: opening the mouth and rooting – that's turning the head from side to the side – that means "I'm hungry!"; yawns, blinking and droopy eyelids indicate fatigue; hiccups or looking away from you can mean "I need a little break"; and frowns or grunts often signal the need to poop or a tiny tummy upset.

So, when your baby fusses

Offer some milk …change the diaper…or, try some burping. And, if those fail, don't worry…

Mom

Your baby will probably calm with some well done swaddling and shushing.

Mom (shushing)

Shhhhhh…

Harvey Karp, MD, FAAP

One note of caution – if you find your nerves are wearing thin or you're getting angry or frustrated – please step away – call for some help… take a short break. But never under any circumstances, shake your baby. Why are some babies easily consoled – while others fuss for hours on end? This is what doctor's refer to as "colic."

:

Harvey Karp, MD, FAAP

It often starts around 2 weeks of age and peaks at 6 weeks and ends by 3- to 4-months of age Here are the tell-tale signs. He or she fusses and cries for over 3 hours a day. The crying is worse in the evening – what some grandmothers call the "witching hour"! Waves of sharp cries can start out of the blue and the baby often has a worried and pained look. And the wailing may start during or after a meal and is accompanied by grunting and straining.

:

Harvey Karp, MD, FAAP

Fortunately, even when the shrieking sounds like terrible pain, most infants are perfectly healthy.

Harvey Karp, MD, FAAP

And, once you learn a few simple tricks – and more about this in our step by step about calming babies with the 5 S's – you'll find you can often soothe even colicky cries.

: Good boy

Harvey Karp, MD, FAAP

Sometimes, unrelenting crying is a sign of illness. What are the red alert signs that your baby's crying may be a more serious problem? I'll cover that in the next step by step. For WebMD, I'm Dr. Harvey Karp.

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