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A high needs baby is one that is extremely demanding and abnormally fussy. They usually require a lot more attention than the average baby and they usually have a tougher time falling into a routine of some sorts. High needs babies never seem to be happy and sometimes cry because the sky is blue. They challenge even the most organized and prepared parents. Handling a high need baby can be tough, especially for a new parent, however you can get through this tough time in the world of parenting.

IS IT COLIC?
Sometimes a high needs baby could be colicky. Colic is a condition in some babies where they cry for long periods of time for unknown reasons. It could be gas or just an overwhelming of emotions. Whatever colic is, it causes some babies to cry uncontrollably where even their parents may not be able to comfort them. This usually peaks around six weeks of age and subsides around four months of age.

IS IT YOUR BABIES PERSONALITY?
Maybe your baby was just born with a high demanding personality. As a mother of twin girls, I can tell you that my one twin was high needs from the minute she was born; literally. She was very demanding and rebellious even as a newborn. Only I was able to comfort her and make her feel secure. Even as a newborn, she bored easily. The mobile above her crib was only exciting for a few minutes at a time. She is now 15 months old and if I do not get her food to her quickly or change her diaper right away, she will let me know with a lot of loud crying or screaming. Her interest level in toys only lasts about three minutes at the most. She craves my attention and only my attention. She gets extremely jealous if her twin sister or her brother is near me. Since she is not technically a baby, I don't think she is high needs any more; now I call it high maintenance.

HOW CAN YOU COPE?
So how do you handle a high needs baby? Well first you want to make sure that all their basic needs are met. Are they wet? Do they need their diaper changed? Are they hungry? Are they tired? After that you want to make sure that you are not overwhelming them. If there are a lot of people around and everyone wants to hold the new baby, that could be very stressful for your little one. Try to spread activities out between naps and feedings. Swaddle your baby so that they get the extra comfort that they are demanding. If they still act like this then your baby is just a naturally demanding human being. You can give in to their every demanding need at every second, however if you have other children, that is not entirely possible. You will have to do your best to let your baby know that you cannot possibly hold them 24/7.

WILL IT EVER END?
Probably not. If being demanding and challenging is ingrained in your babies personality, then you have a tough cookie on your hands in the future. Just make sure that you do meet their needs when they are a newborn but as they get older put your foot down and let them know you are boss. You can't change their personality but you can try to control it and keep it a minimum. If anything, high needs babies are just giving their parents a challenge in the world of parenting.

Learn more about this author, Adina Carter Allen.
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