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Babies are very selfish by nature, because if they weren't selfish, they would not survive. Humans are conditioned to respond to an infant's cry and crying is the only way a baby can express need. While there are basics for general baby care, babies are individuals and may need individualised care. Parents or caretakers can grow to understand a baby's cry and learn what each individual baby needs so that everyone can be satisfied.
Listen to babies when they cry. Babies will cry for a variety of reasons, but caretakers who have spent lengthy amounts of time with babies understand that different cries signify different needs. By listening to an infant's cry and subsequently discovering what that infant needs, a caregiver will be able to identify the individual baby's needs.
Look at babies immediately when they cry. Check for the three main reasons for crying: soiled diaper, hunger and exhaustion. Change the baby, feed the baby and rock the baby as necessary. If none of these things work, then the individual baby may need something different.
Play with the infant to determine if that particular baby needs attention above all else. At times, a baby just needs the caregiver to pay attention to be content.
Check the baby's diaper often until a bathroom routine is established. While babies commonly cry when the diaper is soiled, some babies don't mind being messy. The individual needs of the infant who does not mind being messy include an adult who will check the diaper consistently. This practice helps the baby avoid diaper rash and other genital infections.
- Do not leave an infant alone, no matter how docile the baby may seem. An infant left alone is in danger of becoming hurt.
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