Tips from the experts at Baby Book
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Ever wished there was a book that told you everything there is to know about your baby? Well, Baby Book is finally here
Written by a family of paediatricians - Dr William and Martha Sears - Baby Book covers everything you need to know about caring for your baby from birth to age two, using the Sears' unique 'attachment parenting' approach. Focusing on eating, sleeping, development, health and comfort, this invaluable book offers you guidance and support as new parents, stressing the importance of the parent-child bond. Its gentle approach will not only help you deal successfully with the practical and emotional needs of babies, but will inspire you to raise happy, confident children.
This week we deal with...
Inconsolable crying
Sometimes a baby who is generally not colicky and was previously well, shows an outburst of unexplained, inconsolable crying. Before racing to the phone to summon your doctor, go through the following checklist Does baby have an emergency medical problem? Two worrying signs are (1) persistent vomiting and (2) pale all over. If neither of these signs is present and baby does not look sick, it is not necessary to call your doctor immediately before going through the next steps. Is baby hurting? Undress baby completely and observe the following: Are any of baby's limbs not moving normally? Do you notice any unusual lumps or swelling? These observations are important to detect any injury from a recent fall; consult your doctor if a problem is noted. Is there swelling in the groin? This could indicate intestinal obstruction from a hernia, which requires medical attention. Is baby's abdomen tense and bloated, with more swelling on one side than the other; or tense or tender when you try to massage it? These signs plus sudden onset of colicky behaviour could indicate an intestinal obstruction, but this emergency medical problem is usually associated with persistent vomiting and a pale, generally ill-appearing baby. Be sure to feel baby's abdomen between outbursts because crying babies often swallow air and have tense-feeling abdomens. Does baby have a scalded-skin type of nappy rash? This can be very painful. Is there a thick yellow discharge from the nose? This is often a sign of ear infection. Has baby been straining to pass a stool? Does baby have swollen gums with profuse drooling? He may be experiencing teething pain. Does baby have a hair wrapped around a finger or toe? Carefully remove it.
If your examination does not suggest any of the above problems or trigger an alarm that you need to seek immediate medical attention, proceed to the next step. Have you introduced any new foods that could upset baby? If breastfeeding, have you eaten any gas-producing foods within the past few hours? If bottlefeeding, have you recently changed formulas? Have you introduced baby to a new solid food? Is your baby just upset? If your parent detective work does not suggest any medical, physical or allergic cause of baby's crying, try the following soothing techniques:
If none of these suggestions yield either cause or consolation, consult your GP.
Extracted from Baby Book, by Dr William and Martha Sears (Thorsons Element, £14.99). Available to buy in all good bookstores now. Or alternatively buy it online
Reproduced with permission by Thorsons Element © 2005
For more information on this book and the Sears' unique approach to parenting visit www.thorsonselement.com
For more information on all aspects of caring for your baby visit www.askdrsears.com and for ongoing advice on parenting issues and other relevant topics sign up for the free newsletter
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More books in this series by Dr William and Martha Sears
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