Although many adults view crying as a sign of stress, this is not always accurate. Crying is a normal reaction of an infant to a range of situations and stimuli—it is the way a baby communicates certain needs and responds to discomfort.
This makes it difficult to tell when crying is part of typical infant behaviour and when it might be a symptom of stress.
Other signs can help indicate that your baby may be experiencing stress:
1. The baby refuses to eat, breastfeed, or take a bottle (there is a noticeable change in their usual feeding routine or behaviour).
2. The baby suddenly has problems with bowel movements (diarrhoea or constipation).
3. The baby is having trouble sleeping or has altered their usual sleep pattern or habits.
4. The baby cries more than usual, cannot be soothed, or the crying sounds different from normal.
IMPORTANT: When crying is intense, prolonged, or sounds like screaming, it is very important to rule out pain or illness as the cause.
5. The baby appears emotionally withdrawn, calm in a way that seems unusual, and does not respond to the environment as expected.
Read more about the causes of stress in infants and ways to help a stressed baby.
If you feel that, due to your life circumstances or situation, you are unable to help yourself or your baby, seek professional help.
In addition to the healthcare system, assistance is also available through various organizations that provide comprehensive medical support to asylum seekers or those who have been granted asylum, such as MdM.
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