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Baby Tantrums
Crying Episodes Are Not Just for Toddlers
By Shannon McKelden
Tantrums aren't just thrown by toddlers. Younger babies cry, too, though they aren't usually set off by not getting that must-have toy from the toy aisle. So why do they do it and what can be done to diffuse the situation?
For babies, crying is a form of communication with the adults around them.
"Persistent crying in an infant can be stressful, especially for new parents," says Dr. Sharon Fried Buchalter, a licensed clinical psychologist and author of Children Are People Too: Unlocking the 8 Secrets to Family Happiness (Brundage Publishing, 2006). "It is important that parents remember that crying is a way for a baby to express his needs and feelings – it's their only method of communication until they learn to talk. Usually crying is an expression of a baby's need, such as the need to have a diaper changed, to be fed or to sleep. Crying can also indicate that a baby is over-stimulated or distressed by their environment."
Discovering the reason for the crying is the first course of action. "First and foremost, when their baby cries, parents should make sure their physical needs are met and that the baby is not in physical distress," Dr. Buchalter says. "So make sure the diaper is clean, the baby is not hungry and the baby is not hurt in any way. Once physical safety is ensured, parents should comfort and soothe their baby by holding them, rocking them back and forth, humming a lullaby, etc."
Infants also cry to let off steam. "If babies didn't cry, then it would be a cause for concern," Dr. Buchalter says. "Believe it or not, crying is a positive sign that a child is able to communicate."
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