What are some other reasons a baby cries?
Sometimes an infant cries a lot when he or she is handled. It may be that the infant has an injury or broken bone that is not obvious. This might be caused by a birth injury or by child abuse. Large babies delivered naturally through the vagina are more likely to have birth injuries. A baby is more likely to be abused if he or she: • is born early • has a teenage mother • has a mother who is poor • is born into a family with a history of child or sexual abuse • has a parent who uses drugs and/or alcohol excessively Babies who are overstimulated by their surroundings can cry a lot. This is especially true for infants who are highly sensitive to the environment. Some babies will cry excessively if there is a lot of tension in the family or if the baby’s primary caregiver is under a lot of stress. What can a parent or caregiver do for an infant’s crying? Parents and caregivers should keep in mind that infant crying, even if it is excessive, is not known to cause any adverse, long-term eff
