Crying
The team at Viveka has a well established reputation for helping babies to feel secure and cry less. We will check your baby thoroughly; our team of consultant paediatricians are here to detect and help with any underlying health issues that may cause crying.
In most cases, there is no serious medical issues underlying crying. Every baby communicates and crying is one aspect of this. Beyond our paediatric specialists, we also have family therapists and other experts who are experienced in supporting parents and babies and advise on ways to reduce crying.
Our team is skilled at working with babies of all ages and we have a reputation for helping babies to blossom. We believe that simple practical measures can make a significant impact very rapidly. Support will be uniquely tailored to you and your baby within the context of your family. Your baby is welcome to join the consultations or the support groups. We will work closely with your paediatrician.
Paediatricians are here to help. Our doctors will observe and examine your baby, and consider a range of physical, emotional or lifestyle issues that may play a role. Rarely crying may signal an underlying physical problem. Reflux, often related to a baby spending long periods on the back, is a common issue.
Colic is a term referring to prolongued crying and apparent pain, often in the afternoon/evening. Opinion is divided on the causes of colic, and even on its existence. Your doctor will treat your baby as a unique person and make a careful diagnosis and suggest treatment.
Diagnostic tests may be appropriate to check for reflux, infection or underlying problems.
Allergy testing will be recommended if your baby's symptoms indicate the possibility of allergy.
Feeding advice may be invaluable. Many babies cry when feeding is uncomfortable or difficult. In addition to personal consultations with our midwife, feeding and family therapist or a lactation consultant, we offer breastfeeding support groups and bottle-feeding guidance. You may wish to consult a nutritionist for advice on your diet if you are breastfeeding, on your weaned baby's diet, and if there are allergies.
Complementary therapies work in many ways. Some babies cry excessively following trauma at birth or during pregnany (babies delivered by forceps, for instance, often have head pain). Many babies respond well to cranial osteopathy, homeopathic remedies, and gentle acupressure.
Emotional support and security are important for all babies. Babies are very sensitive to the emotions of their mums, parents and other family members. Sometimes addressing adult upsets, or sibling issues, transforms a baby's mood. As parents you may also value support as you adjust to life with your new baby, particularly if crying is causing stress for you. When you feel more relaxed, your baby may mirror this. Viveka's 'Emo' team includes Ann Herreboudt, a highly experienced personal and family therapist who is also a midwife; Kitty Hagenbach, a psychotherapist specialising in early life; Carole Murray, a hypnotherapist and NLP practitioner; and life coach Melinda Nicci.
Groups and courses at Viveka may help with crying. These include feeding and sleeping support groups and the Babiesknow and Babiesgrow workshops, which explore how babies' express their feelings, and help parents meet their babies' emotional and physical needs.
Massage has been used across the world for thousands of years. Soothing and developmental baby massage is taught in Karen Eichorn's regular classes - including special 'dads only' classes. The classes also help where reflux is a problem, by improving a baby's strength and digestion.
Did you know?
It was once thought 'normal' for a baby to cry for up to 6 hours in a 24 hour period. Though crying time varies enormously from baby to baby, a 'normal' figure is far less. The more consistently a baby's needs are met, the less he or she needs to cry. These needs are: 'love me, hold me, feed me, hear me, see me'. Babies who are touched or held by their mum or another loving adult, who are fed on demand and listened to, tend to feel secure, cry infrequently and for short periods.
