Causes of a Fussy Baby
- Not understanding why baby is fussy can be frustrating.new babies image by Photoeyes from Fotolia.com
Being a new mom or dad is an exciting time. While exciting, it can also be stressful, especially for first-time parents who are always wondering if they are doing things right. This stress can be further compounded when your baby is especially fussy. It can be quite a normal occurrence for your baby to be fussy. It can be beneficial to know the causes of your baby being fussy. - A very common reason for a baby to be fussy is simply that he is tired. A baby is not like adults, who can use reasoning. As adults we realize that we are tired and know that we need to go to sleep. Think of the feelings that we experience with tiredness and fatigue. These feelings may include headaches, burning of the eyes and general ill feelings. A baby has not mastered the methods of handling these feelings yet, so he will fuss. All he may need is to be laid down or given a soothing rub on the back.
- Another common reason for your baby to be fussy is because she is hungry. We read about recommendations as far as feeding schedules; however, each child's needs are different. It is difficult to estimate exactly how much your baby will eat. Some will eat more and some will eat less. However, as adults we can identify with the general feeling of being hungry, and it is usually not a pleasant feeling.
- Having an upset stomach or gas is a common cause of your baby being fussy. An upset stomach can be caused by several things and can happen with any dietary changes. Introduction to formula after breast feeding or a change in formula, among other scenarios, can leave baby with feelings of constipation or even diarrhea, neither of which are very pleasant for the baby. If the child has recently been introduced to cow's milk, you may find that he may be lactose intolerant, while a milk allergy is not very common.
You can usually tell if it is gas by feeling for abdominal distension; also the baby will pump his legs, which is usually indicative of gas. Be sure to properly burp baby after each feeding to dispel any extra air. If you suspect baby of being gassy, massage the belly in a circular motion and then bend baby's legs, bringing the knees up into the chest. Repeat this process until the abdomen feels softer and baby has dispelled the gas. If you find that baby is very often gassy, consult with your pediatrician. He may suggest a change in diet or may be able to prescribe some gas drops for baby.
