It is absolutely normal for babies to cry. In fact, most newborns cry for at least one to three hours each day to draw your attention to fulfill their needs. Remember it's the only way they can communicate, so initially it could be difficult to interpret the exact need. But gradually, as you get used to the baby and her different crying patterns, you'll begin understand her better and anticipate her needs.

As babies grow, they gradually learn newer ways of communicating. They start making eye contact, begin to smile and make new noises - all of which reduce the need for crying. Here are the most common reasons why babies cry. If you have a baby who is difficult to soothe, there's no need to get stressed. Just make sure you've met her needs by working your way down the list.

Hunger
Hunger is one of the primary reasons why a new baby will cry. The younger your baby is, the more often she gets hungry and more frequently she will cry. A baby's small stomach cannot hold very much, so if your baby cries, try offering her some milk, as it may well be that she is hungry. Though she may not be calmed immediately, let her continue feeding as long as she wants to, and she will gradually be soothed as her stomach fills up. If your baby is still crying on a full-stomach, perhaps she is expressing the next need.

Discomfort
The cold, uncomfortable feeling of a wet nappy may be another reason why your baby is crying. So a change in nappy could do the trick in stopping her cry. Checking your baby's nappy and changing it may meet her needs, so this is always worth trying. Tight uncomfortable clothes maybe another reason for crying. So to avoid this discomfort, make sure you put on loose, easy-to-breath-in clothing made of soft, child-friendly fabric.

Warmth
Its not unusual for babies to cry when they are being bathed or nappy changed- they do not like their body to be exposed to the air directly and prefer to be snug and kept warm instead. If your baby is like this, you will have to learn how to perform a quick nappy change so that you can calm her down again. However, take care not to overdress your baby that she gets too hot. A good rule to follow is that she needs to wear one more layer of clothing than you do to be comfortable.

You can check whether your baby is too hot or too cold by feeling her stomach: if she's too hot, remove a blanket, if she's cold, add one. Don't be guided by her hands or feet, as it is normal for them to feel slightly cold. Keep your baby's room at a temperature of around 18 degrees C / 64 degrees F, and put her down to sleep on her back with her feet at the end of the cot so that she can't wriggle too far down under the blankets and get too hot that way.

Physical contact
Some babies take more time to get used to the world outside the mother's womb. That's why they want to be constantly cuddled and comforted. If you've fed your baby and changed her nappy, you may find that she now simply wants to be held. While some parents don't encourage this, fearing that it will "spoil" the baby, remember physical touch is very important and its something that will re-assure and calm the baby almost instantly.

If your baby needs a lot of holding, you might like to try a baby sling, which allows you to keep your baby close while leaving your hands free for other tasks; this may be a solution that keeps you both happy.

Rest
It is expected of babies to naturally fall asleep wherever they are. But, if your baby has had a particularly "busy" day, with distractions and noise, upsetting her regular routine, she may become excited and then find it difficult to "switch off" and settle. In this situation, the best way to calm her would be to take her to a quiet spot. Gradually withdrawing the stimulation, she may express her feelings by crying for a while and then eventually settling to sleep.

Clueless
so your baby has had a feed, a nappy change and fresh from a good nap, but yet crying incessantly? You've tried all sorts of methods to comfort her, but your efforts have gone in vain to calm her down. If you're a first-time parent, you may be in a total dilemma - because its not clear whether your baby is unhappy by nature or if something is bothering her. Normally, a baby who is ill, often cries in a different tone -- it may be more urgent or high-pitched. Similarly, a sudden unusual quietness in a baby who normally cries frequently is a sign that something is wrong. The most important thing to remember is that you will have to use your instinct at such times. And if you feel that your baby needs medical attention, don't hesitate to call your doctor. So remember to keep the number handy. Any difficulty in breathing through the crying, or if the crying is accompanied by vomiting, diarrhoea, or constipation, immediately call the doctor.

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