Crying .... Crying...Why Is My Baby Always Crying?

Babies sleep a lot during the first few months but they also appear to cry a lot. Make a record of his feeding, sleeping and crying pattern over a 24-hour period. You may be surprised to find that he was only awake for about 4 hours out of the 24.

Crying is the means by which your baby communicates with you. Check the following possible causes :

* Is he hungry? Even if he only fed two hours or less ago, he just might want some more now.
* Check his nappy, it could be wet or dirty. Most babies don't seem to mind a wet nappy, but a few object strongly to a dirty one.
* Is his room warm enough or is he too hot? If he is too hot, remove a layer of his clothes or simply clothe him in light clothing. Most people love to wrap infants in blankets or thick jumpers; which is unnecessary in this hot country of ours!
* He may be bored and lonely and want company. If you are doing something else, put him in a bouncing cradle or carry him about in a sling.
* If your baby mainly cries at the same time every day often around 6 pm it could be colic.

extracted from "Pregnancy & Birth Book" by Dr Miriam Stoppard

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How Do I Know If My Baby Is Getting Enough Milk?

Guess this is the most common and frequent question a nursing mom would ask herself. This is especially so during the first three months when baby seems to be doing nothing but nursing (other than sleeping).

First of all, you must have faith in that it is natural for all milk-producing mammals to be able to produce sufficient milk to feed their young. This is God's works! Can you imagine a mother cow or a mother bat saying that they have no milk to feed their young? Of course NOT! This is nature's gift!

So.... what should you do?

- Breastfeed baby at least 10-12 times in 24 hours. If baby is content, alert, and gaining weight, he is probably getting enough breast milk.

- You can also tell by listening to him nurse. You should be able to hear him swallowing.

- Your breasts should also feel softer and lighter at the end of each feeding.

- During the first few weeks, a baby should be having at least 6-8 soaking wet diapers and at least 1 or 2 bowel movements in each 24 hour period.

- Remember that babies don't know they may be hungry and will need to be reminded. So wake your baby (especially the jaundiced ones) and make sure he feeds 8-12 times in 24 hours.

- Watch the baby and not the clock!! Start your baby on one breast and allow your baby to nurse as long as she wants. Burp your baby (this helps to wake the baby) and then offer him the other side. If he does not want it that's okay, just start with that side next time. You will be feeding your baby approximately every 2 hours. However, do not be alarmed if baby feeds more frequently than that. He is just helping to build up your milk supply.

- Keep in mind that feeding on demand does not mean waiting until your baby cries. Crying is the last signal babies give us to let us know something is wrong. Signs that the baby might be ready for a feed include:

-> waking

-> sucking

-> making sounds

-> brings fist to mouth

-> fidgeting/wiggling

-> turning her head

-> opening his mouth (rooting/searching)