The baby is crying - what is wrong? How can I calm it down again? Especially in the first few weeks after the birth, it is often not easy for parents to "read" their child and understand when they cry. There is still a lot of uncertainty, especially with the first child. One of the first things to think about is, of course, the question: If my baby is crying - can it be hungry (again)? How long has it actually been since the last (breast)feed?
Firstly, I would like to reassure you: Even if you are still unsure, you can't do anything wrong. If parents always respond to their child's crying by talking to them and caring for them, they are doing exactly the right thing. In everyday life, I still sometimes encounter worries from mums and dads that they might 'spoil' their baby with too much attention. After all, they say, spoiling is not good for the child. But this is a big mistake! Turning to your child when they are crying and seeing what they need is absolutely the right thing to do! Because when they cry, they are urgently trying to tell you that something is wrong. In other words, your child is asking you for help in their own language. And nobody should deny your child this.
Parents may not always understand straight away what their little one wants. That's no drama. Nevertheless, your baby will feel that someone is always there through your attention and comforting closeness. This strengthens the Basic trust of the child in mum, dad and the world.
Perhaps you already suspect it or have already experienced it: When a baby cries out of hunger, it is literally already "five past twelve". Accordingly, his crying or screaming is one of the so-called late signs of hunger (also known as breastfeeding signs). There are also early and middle signs of hunger. These have been published by the Australian state of Queensland in a helpful overview. Newborn babies use these signs to let you know when it is time to fill their tummies. For breastfed babies, this can sometimes be relatively soon after the last feed, but this is nothing to worry about. Simply breastfeed according to your child's needs and wishes!
How long it takes from one level of hunger to the next also varies from child to child. The individual character and temperament of the little person play a decisive role in this. Babies also learn how quickly parents react to their hunger signals. If a child learns that its hunger is satisfied relatively early, it may even show a little more patience. If, on the other hand, the baby has learnt that mum and dad regularly react late to its signals, then it will usually respond quickly, loudly and "clearly".
Of course, parents don't have to be able to tell exactly which "hunger signal stage" their child is currently in. And it's not about ticking off a kind of "checklist" along the lines of: first the child does this, then that and then something else. What is important is this, at all recognise that the baby is hungry. And this becomes easier the better you get to know your child. Your midwife can also give you valuable help with this. And I am also in my Online counselling gladly there for you. Also with Help from my online breastfeeding course you can get good preparation for your child's nutrition and get help to solve problems.
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First signs of hunger
Babies very often want to be breastfed or fed when they wake up from sleep. Very young children are even woken by their hunger. Even during the light sleep phase, they may signal: "I'm hungry!" even before they wake up. When the little tummy growls, the baby becomes restless and quickly moves its head back and forth in search of food. Where is the milk source? Your child opens its mouth and/or even smacks its lips. It may also lick its lips or stick out its tongue. These are all the first signs of rumbling.
Medium signs of hunger
The baby's feeling of hunger becomes stronger and its message more urgent: Please hurry! It moves increasingly restlessly. The child stretches out and stretches its arms upwards. Very often you will notice that the baby brings a hand or fist to its mouth and/or begins to suck on its fist or fingers. The baby may also suck on them vigorously. Such reactions are interpreted as medium signs of hunger.
Late signs of hunger
The baby cries. It may even cry so much that its face turns completely red. It is also physically very restless now. In this state, it can sometimes be difficult or take longer to latch the baby on for breastfeeding. In his excitement, he may not catch the nipple properly or it may take too long for the milk to flow. Both of these can cause even more frustration.
In many cases, it helps to calm the baby for a short time by gently coaxing, affectionate stroking and physical closeness. The emphasis here is on shortbecause your baby is still very hungry!
