The joys of parenting have a few challenging moments once in a while and noticing that your baby cries often can be one of them. Help is on the way from Babynology through this in-depth report in which we have not only looked at just about all the major reasons why babies cry but also suggested solutions you can follow to calm your crying baby. But first a few myths and some assumptions that tend to cause anxiety among parents:

Myths and Assumptions about Crying Babies

You don't have to hit the panic button each time your baby cries. Crying is as much a primordial communicative response as it is a distress symptom. Babies sometimes cry for no particular reason at all. They want to be held and rocked. Put yourself in your baby's place for a moment. For nine months, you have lived a life of protective snugness and now you are suddenly exposed to the big wide world with a million sounds and a thousand smells all of which are alien to you. A vocal response is but natural. Your baby has already bonded and established an emotional connection with you. It is now your mission to sustain it which you can do by singing a lullaby, rocking your baby and taking her out into an open space such as your garden or your balcony and pointing out everything you see there. According to Dr. Desmond Runyon, professor of pediatrics and social medicine at North Carolina Children's Hospital in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, crying is a natural response mechanism. Babies don't have too many other ways to signal to their parents about what is happening in their lives.

What You Can Do

Before we tell you what you can do, let us explore a few things that you should not be doing. You should not call your pediatrician or dial 911 the first time your baby begins to cry incessantly. Also, do not rush to the emergency room which is a traumatic experience in its own right for everyone involved. Finally, don't do nothing and hope that the baby will eventually calm down. Use the process of elimination based on the recommendations we have made here. We have also provided you with phone numbers of 4 baby hotlines in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK. If you do not live in these countries and do not have access to a baby hotline in your community, make an international long distance phone call. Call rates aren't as expensive as they used to be and a quick phone conversation with a qualified and experienced baby care consultant can do wonders and be great for a second opinion. So here is our check list:

7 Reasons why Babies cry and what you can do about it

Hungry Baby

Experts have identified hunger as the #1 reason for a baby's distressed response. Feed the baby to see if that helps.

Uncomfortable Baby

At the first instance of crying that really does not fit a pattern, inspect your baby and her immediate environment. Is there something on the bed or her crib that just might be poking her? Is the elastic in her garment too tight? Is the pillow too high? Is your baby too hot or too cold? Are there mosquitoes or other little beasties that have crept into the room? Are noise levels around your baby excessively high? Sometimes, playing Sherlock Holmes really works.

Gassy Baby

All babies have a natural tendency to pass gas. Burp your baby on your left shoulder or gently fold her feet in a bicycle pedaling and repetitive motion to help her pass gas. If your baby suffers from colic, there are several natural and herbal remedies available such as natural gripe water which will provide your baby with much needed relief from abdominal discomfort.

Wet Baby

Babies have extremely sensitive skin and tend to cry if their comfort levels are compromised as you will further notice below. It takes no more than a simple visual inspection to achieve an easy fix. If you are a visually impaired mom and don't have immediate access to assistance, there is a small and inexpensive gadget you can buy which generates a tone as soon as the sensors pick up something. This is great for other moms too especially when you are taking a quick nap with your little one.

Tired Baby

The ideal way to prevent your baby from crying owing to exhaustion is by being proactive. Don't let your baby extend herself to the exhaustion point and try to help her get to sleep well before she is totally fatigued. Some babies have a tendency to fight sleep? so taking your baby to a calm place such as an empty bedroom without a blaring TV can help.

Sleepy Baby

Little babies are sometimes plain old sleepy and not exhausted or uncomfortable. Your response should be swift because the longer a sleepy baby cries, the longer it will take her to do the shut eye. Remain consistent in the way you put your baby to rest since babies, little as they are, tend to internalize the process, and instinctively know when it is nappy time. Watch for that first yawn and spring into action as soon as you receive the signal.

Teething Baby

Teething time is potentially crisis time. If your baby experiences excessive teething pain, your pediatrician or family doctor can prescribe a topical ointment which may grant some relief. Your baby can also cry because of inflamed gums, mouth sore or Thrush, also called oral pseudomembranous candidiasis. Such a situation calls for prompt medical attention. However, there is no cause for alarm under normal circumstances.

Finally...

If all else fails, it might be time to visit the doctor' office. Babies cry when they are in pain. The list of causes is long and can include fever, intestinal trauma, constipation, acid reflux, flu, milk allergies, lactose intolerance, reaction to vaccinations and a lot more which your pediatrician will investigate. If you notice rashes or patches on your baby's body, prompt medical attention is in order. You may feel frustrated angry or depressed because of your baby's incessant wailing. Never shake your baby as a knee jerk response since it will cause irreparable damage. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 1,000 babies die each year due to Shaken baby syndrome.

Helpline for USA

Crying Baby Hotline: 1-866-243-2229

24-Hour Parent Helpline: 1-888-435-7553

Fussy Baby Warm line: 1-888-431-BABY

Helpline for Canada

Parent Helpline: 1-800-668-6868

Helpline for UK

Parent line: 0808 800 2222

Parent Lifeline: 0114 272 6575

Helpline for Australia

Parent line: 1300 30 1300

Parent Lifeline: 0114 272 6575