All children cry, but sometimes it may be hard to understand why or you may just feel there is more to your child being upset than meets the eye. In babies, although the reasons are usually more obvious, you may not be able to see anything wrong and yet your child is trying to tell you that all is not right. They may just need comfort, they may be hungry, or if colic is bothering them, need a remedy to relieve it. But if the crying is persistent and means broken sleep for nights on end, it can be very distressing for both parent and baby. As they grow up, there may be more complex reasons for bouts of crying. Young children may find a new sibling threatening and need more attention, finding crying the only way to get it, or it may be a signal of some internal problem, such as a stomach or ear ache. Older children may have problems with playmates or at school and need an outlet at home for their unhappiness.
What you can do
In babies, plenty of comfort and attention may be all that’s needed and it may take trying many different positions before you find one that soothes. But relentless crying can be very wearing, so if you’re a new parent, nap when you can during the day. Desperate parents have been known to take midnight car drives in order for the engine sound and movement to lull their baby to sleep. Try to talk to older children about their crying. If it’s more than a physical problem, it may take time for the real reason for their distress to become apparent.
Treatment
Hypnotherapy
A hypnotherapist may help the child to use their inner resources – times when they were contented and happy and had no need to cry – and learn to apply those resources to times in their lives when they need them.
Herbal medicine
If you are feeling concerned or distressed by your baby’s crying, there are a number of herbs that have a calming effect. Lavender, Chamomile, Lemon Balm, Hops and Catmint all have soothing properties and can be given in diluted cool teas before bedtime or if the baby wakes during the night.
Osteopathy
Osteopaths believe that the process of birth is traumatic for a baby, particularly if it was a difficult birth. This can affect the baby’s cranial system, which will be worked on. Once any problems have been corrected, the baby hopefully stops crying.
