Communication - that's what a baby's crying is for. This sweet thing that suddenly turns into a fit of tears is just craving for your attention.

A baby cries the most during his or her first three months. Though the amount of crying steadily increases, the crying time period may vary from an hour to most of the day and this could still be considered within normal range. Like, whoa, right? Babies are also known as howling tear factories.

Some thought that a baby cries more during the afternoon due to the anxious state of the mother or the stressed mood of the father after getting home from work. But the most accepted assumption now is that babies have this automatic screening ability they use to shut off all the noise that may stimulate some response from them so they could get enough rest. But in the long run, this filter weakens and totally disappears during the approximate age of six weeks. This, then, make a baby very sensitive to the external factors such as noise, movements, etc. And these generally elicit a reaction from a baby and how best he or she could respond but only through crying.

There are many reasons why a baby succumbs to crying. Deciphering these reasons is the major feat a parent must surmount. Here are some of the messages your baby is trying to send through crying.

Hunger. Yes, your baby is craving to let you know that his tummy is grumbling. This is the most common reason for a baby to cry, especially, during his early months. The pattern of the hunger howl could be characterized as being persistent, demanding and almost rhythmical. But that rhythm is not at any rate close to becoming musical, of course.

Boredom. Babies do get bored. Can you imagine doing nothing, ALL day. Crying is their way of telling you, "Hey get me a life here!" Aside from attention and food, babies need a lot of stimulation. And when they don't get this, you get your waaaaahhhh!!! The trick is to pick the baby up and play with him. This move may be frowned upon by some because it amounts to spoiling the baby. But it is important to know that stimulation is also one of the major necessities of an infant and it won't hurt to provide him with some while in his growing age. This boredom cry is said to be also rhythmical and full of sobs and moans.

Discomfort. pain is another precursor of the baby's crying. Who won't cry when in pain, right? Babies are not major pains to endure the most excruciating discomfort they could undergo. They are little, vulnerable beings that need to be attended to when injured or when in an inconvenient situation. This cry could be more persistent, louder and more demanding. Shrieking and screaming, those are words that better describe the crying pattern roused by pain.

Another cause may be disturbance; surely, howling will proceed just when they're about to sleep or are already fast asleep and suddenly gets surprised by some noise, or movement. An illness that causes discomfort to a baby may also be the reason for a baby's bursting into fit of tears.

Other articles from the Baby series:
Baby's First Days At Home
Baby Crawl Tips
How To Get Your Baby To Settle
Handling A Newborn's First Cough And Cold
The First Moments Of Your Baby's Life
Cord Blood Banking