I just heard my neighbor’s baby crying, and it brought back memories.
When my daughters were infants (they’re grown now) there was quite a bit of arguement as to whether babies would sometimes cry “just to hear themselves”. I was sometimes tempted, like maybe at 3AM, to buy into this idea, but usually found that there was a resaon.
So, what’s the opinion of all you dedicated parents among the teeming millions.
BTW; Two-year-olds are exempt from this survey.
Peace,
mangeorge
It depends on what you mean by “good reason.” Yes, they often cry for reasons other than being tired, hungry or in pain. There was a period from about birth to 6 weeks when my kids would have a couple of crying spells a day where they just seemed unable to get regulated. I suppose the world is a bit overwhelming at first. Later on, they will often cry out of frustration when they can’t do something they want to do, like put together a puzzle. This is especially apparent just before they learn to walk.
You can easily tell the difference between “I need something” crying and “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore” crying.
Sometimes they cry for no apparent reason. You know they’ve been fed, their diaper is clean, and they’re not in pain. Sometimes they just want to be held. That’s not a real obvious reason.
… had the same discussion with my sister (4 kids) about my wee girl (first child - 6months).
Seems (this from a book she had read) that as a baby cannot walk, crawl or generally expend energy into anything but growing they ‘may’ have a bit of a scream/cry/wail etc as a method of losing some excess energy, and giving things a good work-out
Kinda like aerobics for new-borns.
WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH
two-three-four
WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH
two-three-four
WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH
two-three-four
WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH
two-three-four
WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH
two-three-four
heh heh. i just had to do that.
(Mother of four chiming in)
No, I don’t think that babies ever cry for no good reason. Whatever reason they have is obviously important to them, even if we can’t figure it out/appreciate it.
Beyond the obvious reasons-hunger, cold, pain, fear, etc.-they might also be lonely, tired, frustrated, any number of things, and they have no other way to tell you that something isn’t right.
Think about how frustrating it must be to have, for instance, the tag of your pajamas tickling your neck and not be able to even understand why your neck is feeling irritated, much less be able to do anything about it. Newborns are experiencing their bodies in new, and maybe uncomfortable, ways. An older baby may have spent an exhausting day learning a new skill and be unable to relax and fall asleep.
Crying does not, in any way, shape or form, “exercise the lungs.” Breathing does that. Crying means that something is wrong and it is our job, as parents, to fix it if we can, or at least keep them company until they feel better.
Another mother of four here, and I agree with robinh. Something is making them upset. Whether it’s frustration, “I just want to be held”, over-stimulation, growing pains, hot, cold, uncomfortable clothing, upset tummy, whatever. No matter what they’re feeling, they only have one way to express themselves.
My 15 month old daughter is an angel. Of course she cries, but 99% of the time I can figure out the reason. Most are hungry, uncomfortable or tired. Then again, you can blame anything on being tired…
My mother used to say some babies cry out of boredom.
One thing I finally learned about my youngest was that she didn’t like to be overly bundled. She was just too warm. And confined, I suspect.
I agree that babies don’t just cry.
Peace,
mangeorge
Hell, I’m 33 and I cry for no good reason sometimes. I figure little kids have every right.