Infant Sleep Problems: How to Deal With Your High-Needs Baby

High needs babies can be difficult to deal with, especially during the night. We parents want to sleep as soundly as we did before we had children, but unfortunately baby doesn't always have the same thing in mind. In the middle of the fourth sleepless night in a row, it is common for parents to start feeling a little "picked on" and ask, "Why is she doing this to me? Why won't she just sleep?" It can be frustrating and disheartening to face yet another sleepless night, but with a little patience and understanding, you can take some of the stress out of a long night and get some rest for you and your baby.

What characterizes a high-needs baby?

High-needs babies tend to cry more than other babies. Many times a high-needs baby is referred to as "colicky." Crying is usually more pronounced in the evening and through the night, but some high-needs babies cry during the day as well.

Why does my high-needs baby cry so much?

The exact causes of colic are not known. Sometimes a baby has stomach problems, or some other pain in his body. Some babies simply need more physical contact with a caregiver than other babies do.

The most important thing that you need to understand is that your high-needs baby is crying for a reason. Even if you cannot discern a cause for her crying, it doesn't mean that there is no reason for her to cry. She is not crying just to upset you, or to keep you awake. She is crying because she needs something. Perhaps she's cold and needs a blanket. Perhaps her tummy hurts. Or maybe she just needs a good snuggle, and is afraid to be alone. All of these are valid reasons for a baby to cry, and all of these things can be addressed by the parents.

What can I do to help my high-needs baby sleep better?