Month 1 Worry: Is It OK to Let My Infant Cry?

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I have to admit, I didn't enjoy my three children's early infancies as much as I should have. Colic, gas, neurologic immaturity … there are lots of explanations, but the problem was simple—infant crying. As a new parent, it is easy to feel frustrated, angry, and inadequate when you can't meet all the needs of your baby.

What's the Issue?

So why do babies cry? Possibly because one of their many needs are not being met. Too hungry? Too full? Too cool? Too warm? Overtired? Overstimulated? Wet diaper? Quite a high maintenance little fella, isn't he? The truth is, we may not really know why babies cry. Infant crying is at times a medical and parental mystery. (Ok, some experts believe there is a way to decode cries: Check it out.)

Consider the Numbers

The textbooks say that infants cry between one and four hours a day. But four hours can seem like forever. And if you're at your wit's end, you are not alone. Sleep deprivation for infants and parents alike can be toxic. One-month-old babies should get an average of 15 ½ hours of sleep per 24 hours. Parents, on the other hand, get far less and should catch a nap whenever they can!