An unhappy baby is enough to make any mum feel worried or stressed. However, your baby is usually crying for a reason – we explain the five most common causes of upset and how you can easily help your baby.

Hunger
When we’re hungry it’s easy for us to get food – we either make it ourselves or ask someone else to provide it. Your baby can’t do either of these things; he is totally dependent on you and the only way of communicating his hunger is by crying. It’s important you feed your newborn on demand, so try not to worry if you feel like you’re always feeding him – especially if you’re breastfeeding.

Wind
If your baby frequently cries after a feed it may be because he has wind. This is difficult to prevent as some air will always get into his stomach when he is feeding. Wind can cause discomfort so it is important to help him release this air after every feed. Put your baby on your lap in a sitting position then gently stroke his back in a circular motion, or hold him high up on your shoulder, so his stomach rests on your chest, then walk back and forth gently patting his back.

Dirty or wet nappy
The feeling of a dirty or wet nappy against your skin can’t be pleasant, so when your baby feels uncomfortable he needs to let you know. Always change his nappy when it’s soiled or wet to help keep his skin healthy. The number of nappy changes per day varies from one baby to another, but you could find yourself doing it at least eight to 10 times a day. Common times to change a nappy are in the morning when your baby wakes up, after every feed (including night feeds), after a bath and before he goes to bed at night.

Too hot or too cold
Your baby can’t regulate his own body temperature when he’s a newborn so it’s up to you to make sure he’s not too hot or too cold – if he’s uncomfortable either way, the likelihood is he’ll cry. Dress him in one more layer than you’re wearing yourself. The most suitable items of clothing for your baby are a cotton or towelling vest under a sleepsuit. Depending on the weather he may need an extra layer (cardigan or shawl), plus socks to keep his feet warm. You can check his temperature by feeling the back of his neck or his stomach with the back of your hand. Remember that young babies are more prone to overheating than to getting cold. When you come indoors from being outside, take off his outer garments and any hats or mittens – remember this even when you’re in the car.

Looking for physical contact
Sometimes when your baby cries it’s because he’s bored or lonely – after all, he’s just spent nine months in your womb and might not enjoy being on his own. Some babies are only happy when they’re being held and physical closeness is great for bonding. Lie him on your chest so he can hear the sound of your heartbeat – this should calm him down as it reminds him of being in the womb, so promoting a feeling of security. Or invest in a sling to keep him close, but your hands free.

Is he ill? If your baby is inconsolable and can’t be soothed, always check his temperature to make sure he doesn’t have a fever (above 98.6°F/37°C). If you have any concerns at all about your baby’s health, take him to see your GP. If your baby is having difficulty breathing, has a rash or his fever is persistent, you should seek medical advice immediately.

Photographs: Shutterstock