Communication and Your Newborn

Do you remember your baby's very first cry? From the moment of birth, your baby began to communicate. At first, your newborn's cries may seem like a foreign language to you. But before you know it, you will learn your baby's "language" and be able to provide him or her with what he or she needs.

senses.

As the days after birth pass, your newborn will become accustomed to seeing you and will begin to focus on your face. Your baby's senses of touch and hearing are especially important, though. Your baby will be curious about noises he or she hears, but none more so than the spoken voice. Talk to your baby whenever you have the chance. Even though your baby doesn't understand what you're saying, your calm, reassuring voice is what he or she needs to feel safe. With almost every touch your newborn is learning about life, so provide him or her with lots of tender kisses, and he or she will find the world a soothing place to be.

Communicating with a newborn is really a matter of meeting his or her needs. Always respond to your newborn's cries - he or she cannot be spoiled with too much attention. Your prompt response when your baby communicates will let your baby know that he or she is important and worthy of attention.

There will probably be times when you have met all of your baby's needs, yet he or she continues to cry. Don't despair - your baby may be overly stimulated, have gastric distress, or may have too much energy and need a good cry. It is common for babies to have a fussy period at the same time every night, generally between early evening and midnight. This can be very upsetting, but the good news is that it's short-lived; most babies outgrow it around three months. There are some things you can try to soothe your baby. Some babies are comforted by motion, such as rocking or being walked back and forth across the room, while others respond to sounds, like soft music or the hum of a vacuum cleaner. It may take some time to find out what best comforts your baby during these stressful periods.

Should I Be Concerned?

You may want to talk to your doctor if your baby seems to cry for an unusual length of time, if the cries sound odd to you, or if the crying is associated with decreased activity, poor feeding, or unusual breathing or movements. Your doctor will be able to reassure you or look for a medical reason for your baby's distress. Chances are there is nothing wrong, and knowing this can help you relax and stay calm when your baby is upset.

Here are some other reasons for prolonged crying:

• The baby is ill. A baby who cries more when being held or rocked may be sick. Call your doctor.
• The baby has an eye irritation. A scratched cornea or "foreign body" in a baby's eye can cause redness and tearing. Call your doctor.
• The baby is in pain. An open diaper pin or other object could be hurting the baby's skin. Take a close look everywhere, even each finger and toe (sometimes hair can get wrapped around a baby's tiny digits and cause pain).

If you have any questions about your newborn's ability to see or hear, you should bring them to your doctor's attention immediately. Even newborns can be tested using sophisticated equipment, if necessary. The sooner a potential problem is caught, the better it can be treated.

Updated and reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD