by Ellen Page

Created on: January 29, 2013   Last Updated: April 05, 2013

A baby can only communicate how they are feeling through crying, which can be difficult for a parent to decipher at first. There can be many reasons for why your baby cries, and one of those reasons could be pain. Babies can be just as susceptible to pain as anyone else. The idea of your precious baby being in pain is upsetting, and even more so if you are unable to ascertain the reasons as to why. Knowing why your baby is in pain means that you can help to reduce and eradicate the pain as soon as possible.

Is my baby in pain?

Common baby pains

The main reasons for a baby to experience pain can be due to colic, gas, teething, diaper rash,  injury or illness, to name a few. The pain experienced can cause much discomfort for your baby and leave her feeling very unsettled and cranky. This can be just as tiring and upsetting for you as the parent, which is why it is good to know the signs to lookout for. Knowing when your baby is in pain allows you to provide the right care and treatment to relieve the suffering.

Recognizing your baby's cry

When your baby is in pain, her cry will sound different to that of when she is hungry or tired. The key here is to be able to recognize the different pitches in cry, and this is something you come to learn over time. A high pitch, intense cry can signify severe pain. The pitch in cry for any pain is usually shrill, constant and ear piercing. The discomfort in your baby’s face accompanied with the screaming is a very good indicator that she is in pain of some sort.

Hard to console baby

If your baby is unhappy and you have tried everything obvious to console her without success, you may find she is in pain. This can leave many parents worried and wondering why they are unable to console their baby. If your baby is constantly wailing with the pitch getting higher and higher, it can leave you feeling fraught. If you are unable to settle your baby or are at all worried, call your doctor or health visitor for advice. In some instances your baby may be in pain from stomach pain, but other times it could be an illness.

Face expression

A tired baby cries while rubbing at the eyes, and a hungry baby often gnaws at their hands while looking for food. A baby in pain is going to show discomfort with a number of different facial expressions, along with a high-pitched cry. These could include a tense, screwed-up face, knotted eyebrows and/or a wrinkled forehead. Any intense expression often accompanied with a reddened face are very good indicators that your baby is in pain.

Baby's movements that show pain

The movements your baby makes along with the above can also signal pain. She may bring her knees up to her chest when experience stomach pains. The fists may be clenched with a rigid body and a tense facial expression. Her body movements are likely to be awkward as she squirms about, making quick sharp movements. Fussiness and frantic movements are the signs to lookout for, along with the other tell-tale signs. Any unusual and different body movements along with other indications are a good way of knowing if your baby is in pain.

If your baby seems out of sorts and looks different, she may be in pain. High-pitched crying, jerky and awkward body movements and general fussiness can all be good indicators of pain. Your baby’s face expression is also another big clue, as pain can often be seen through the tense and grimacing facial expressions. If you suspect your baby is in pain, find the best course of action to eradicate her suffering. If you are unable to console your baby or are at all worried, seek medical advice. You can speak to your doctor or health visitor over the phone without an appointment.

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