If fatigue is the crux of the matter when you are a young parent, there is also another point that we talk about less and which nevertheless has a big impact on morale: baby crying. Indeed, nature is well designed and these cries are designed to make us react and push us to find a solution to what is making Baby cry. Except that sometimes our newborn cries a lot and we don’t know what to do. This is particularly the case in the evening, which is a period conducive to crying without an identified cause.
We asked Dr. Célia Levavasseur, pediatrician and author*, to tell us more about what we call “discharge cries”.
What are discharge cries?
“We don’t really know where these tears come from and what they mean”begins Dr. Levavasseur. “Before, we talked about colic and now we talk about discharge crying or the agitation phase to use medical terms.” She indicates that depending on the country, there are different beliefs and interpretations, but that in France, it is admitted – without this being demonstrated – that These cries would be a way for Baby to release the emotions of the day.
Discharge cries are recognizable: they start on the 10th day after birth and increase in duration until the child is 9 weeks oldbefore gradually decreasing until 4 months, when they disappear completely. “These cries occur between 7 p.m. and 2 a.m., for a duration that varies depending on each child, ranging from a few tens of minutes to several hours”she indicates, specifying that the fact that they occur in the evening and/or during the night is universal, since even premature babies conform to them.
Should we be worried about baby’s discharge cries?
The pediatrician is clear: “A baby who cries a lot in the evening is not necessarily a bad thing. Moreover, if your baby is absolutely not restless in the evening, you should talk to your pediatrician to make sure everything is okay .”
She also wants to reassure parents who feel guilty seeing their infant fussing and crying every evening: these cries are not a sign of pain because “even children on morphine have it”. This is therefore a completely normal stage in Baby’s development… even if it can be confusing.
Discharge cries: how to soothe baby?
Unfortunately, There is no medicine or magic formula to soothe a baby in the evening restless phase. “It is the proximity of parents that can soothe himso it is recommended to carry him/her, talk to him/her and reassure him/her about our presence with him/her”indicates Dr. Levavasseur.
And becausehaving a baby who cries a lot is difficult for parents, the pediatrician advises getting help when you can, for example by asking a trusted person to take over and carry Baby while you go out so you no longer hear the crying, and to keep in mind that these cries will stop on their own after a few weeks. Hang in there !
* Dr. Célia Levavasseur is the author of Baby is here! A little guide to help you if you’re not sure where to start (ed. Nathan).