Learn to read your baby's cries

Your newborn baby's cry is designed to bring an instant response. But deciding what your baby needs isn't always easy.

The mothering instinct is a commonly-held belief that, as a mum, you'll understand exactly what your baby wants each time she cries. But however well you know your baby, there'll be times when you just can't work out why she's yelling.

Newborns cry, on average, two to four hours a day. But in the middle of a 20-minute scream-fest, it can seem an eternity. The main reason babies cry is through hunger, although wind, tiredness and boredom are also triggers.

‘In time, you'll come to recognise your baby's different cries,' says childcare author and obstetrician Dr Yehudi Gordon.

‘Depending on what she wants, she'll leave certain pauses and vary the intensity or loudness of the cry,' he adds.

Many babies have fretful periods in the evenings, which may result from overstimulation during the day. If your baby's crying is getting to you, put her in her cot or buggy and take a break. If possible ask your partner, friend or relative to take over.

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