Because we adults are not attuned to the sounds of infant crying, it can be very upsetting to deal with an infant who cries often. With care and patience, infants pass quickly through the crying phase into words that can tell us what they need

Davidson, Dana H.

ScholarSpace at University of Hawai'i at Manoa

Published by the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) and issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Andrew G. Hashimoto, Director/Dean, Cooperative Extension Service/CTAHR, Universityof Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822. An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Institution providing programs and services to the people of Hawaii withoutregard to race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, arrest and court record, sexual orientation, or veteran status.CTAHR publications can be found on the Web site <http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu> or ordered by calling 808-956-7046 or sending e-mail to ctahrpub@hawaii.edu.Children and FamilyNov. 2003CF-5Dana H. DavidsonDepartment of Family and Consumer SciencesInfant CryingInfants practice crying even before birth. By taking inand expelling amniotic fluid, they experience thebreath control of crying. At birth the crying reflex is theonly reflex strong enough to really help a newborn sur-vive—and that is only because we adults are perfectlyattuned to respond to the cries! At birth and for the firstmonth, infants cry and make throaty sounds when theyare hungry, wet, tired, in pain, or when they want to beheld.By two months, most infants do not cry as much,but they do cry more loudly and strongly than before.Two- and three-month-olds like to see familiar faces andhear familiar sounds. Some babies may have colic atthis age, which is painful and may cause extra crying.Babies with colic need to be held gently, given warmbaths, and have understanding parents; with some time,the colic will pass.Infants between four and eight months often crywhen they see strangers, hear a loud noise, or are afraidof being left. They also cry when they get excited ortired, and when they are teething or feeling ill. At aroundsix months, babies may be distracted from crying bymusic or by seeing something interesting. Infants some-times need reassurance, and they often need love andaffection when they cry. It is not too early to accept theiremotions.Toward the end of the first year, infants are verysensitive to the emotions of others. They may even cryif they hear another person cry! At the same time, nine-to twelve- month-old infants can be willful and stub-born. Temper tantrums may even emerge at this age.Infants react to approval and need attention and guid-ance at this age. Toddlers can be moody, and their moodsusually change quickly. They like to imitate and learnmuch from adults’ ways of handling situations. This is atime for extra patience.Because we adults are not attuned to the sounds ofinfant crying, it can be very upsetting to deal with aninfant who cries often. With care and patience, infantspass quickly through the crying phase into words thatcan tell us what they need. If you are upset by the cryingof your infant or toddler, please ask someone to helpyou.There are few things so compelling to adults as thesound of an infant crying. Here are a few questions toconsider that may bring closer the notion of infant cry-ing and what it does to us.• Think of a recent time you needed something andcould not get it for yourself. How did you communi-cate this need? Was your message received? Did youget what you desired? How did you feel about it? Doesanything from this experience relate to fulfilling theneeds of infants?• A baby in your care is crying! What do you do (list inorder) to determine and meet her needs? Why doesresponding promptly and consistently seem to havebeneficial effects?• What kind of crying irritates you? Is there an indi-vidual child whose cry “pushes your button”? Why?What do you do about it? What else could you do? Towhom could you turn for help?ReferencesKeiki ‘O Hawai‘i. Cooperative Extension Service, Col-lege of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources,University of Hawaii, in cooperation with the HawaiiDepartment of Health, Children’s Mental Health Ser-vices Branch.Greenspan and Greenspan. 1985. First feelings. Viking.Leach, Penelope. 1983. Babyhood. A. Knopf.Weisberger, Eleanor. 1987. When your child needs you:a parents’ guide through the early years. Adler & Adler.

Infant Crying

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Infant Crying

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