New parents may need help to understand that crying is a normal behavior and the primary way newborns can communicate. As babies get older, they develop more ways to communicate their needs and will cry less. Parents often confuse crying as a sign that baby is hungry. This can cause mothers to question their ability to produce enough milk to meet their infant’s needs. When crying is used as a primary cue to initiate feeding, parents may use inappropriate feeding practices to ensure baby is well fed. (Heinig et al.,2016) This can include unnecessary formula supplementation to “top off” breastfeeding with the purpose of keeping the infant full for longer periods of time.
Provider Resources
- Fit WIC Baby Behavior Study [PDF]
- Baby Behavior Training, WIC Healthcare Partner Training
- NEWT- newborn weight screening tool
- WHO growth standards
- CDC growth charts
- Training Course on Child Growth Assessment (WHO)
- Baby Infant Growth Chart Calculator
