What do most people do when a newborn cries? People attempt to quiet the infant so that it will stop crying. But have you ever heard the advice, “Let the baby cry?” If you are unsure of the advice, proceed with reading this article.
Almost everyone is familiar with a newborn baby’s first scream. Since newborns cannot speak or convey their feelings and needs, crying serves as a way of communication. Whenever newborn cries, people take the infant into their lap and try to calm it. However, some individuals believe that crying helps the baby’s lungs to develop. Therefore, some people frequently ask, “Is a baby crying good for the lungs?”
Therefore, this article will focus on the significance of baby crying in developing their lungs. Besides, the readers will know about additional information and answers to some FAQs. So, let’s start.
Is letting a baby cry good for their lungs?
There are many myths about babies. For instance, some people say babies can’t differentiate between their mom and others, while others say it is better to start solid meals at a young age (three or four months) as it will allow the infant to sleep longer. Similarly, babies’ cry is good for their lungs is another myth.
A Baby’s first cry has a notable impact on its lungs. According to doctors, the very first minute is dangerous for babies. Because a baby takes the first breath at that time, taking millions of air substances into its respiratory system. Some babies face no difficulties in their first breath and start crying. Doctors also say that the first cry is intricately linked to the first breath. The first cry means the baby is able to take a breath by itself. This air exchange is beneficial for the baby’s lungs.
Unfortunately, some individuals believe that a baby’s subsequent cry is as good for the lungs as their first cry, which is entirely wrong. They often don’t bother even if the baby constantly cries, thinking of the benefit. But the reality is totally different. An infant needs more attention and love from parents and others in their initial months. Research shows that babies, who are given proper attention and time in the first three months, feel more secure and loved later. Any exception in this regard can impact the psychology of the baby.
So, when a baby is crying, it is better to respond quickly and try to pacify it. It will bond your relationship with the baby and ensure the baby’s well-being.
Benefits of the baby crying
Before jumping into the question if baby crying is good for the lungs, it is crucial to know some benefits of the baby crying, which many people don’t know. Let’s look at the advantages.
Significance of the first cry:
The first significance is that the first cry of the little one welcomes the parents into a new stage of life. Just kidding. The importance of the first cry is more than one may imagine. It helps the baby’s lungs to take more air, which ultimately eases its breathing system. But that doesn’t mean a baby should always cry, and the parents should do nothing to calm it down since the point mentioned above is only applicable to the first cry.
Cry as a means of communication:
Cry serves as a medium for communication since infants have no other options. Every cry has a hidden message. For instance, the baby may be hungry, need attention or feel uncomfortable. Though initially, it becomes difficult for the parents to understand why the baby is crying, they grasp all those meanings over time. An infant’s cry is a powerful communication medium since the parents can’t understand their infant’s needs and emotions without crying.
Helps in psychological well-being:
Whenever babies cry, and parents give attention, the baby can feel that it is not isolated. Parents’ love and concentration play a crucial role in developing the toddler’s psychology. If a baby cries for long and the parents give no attention, it can disturb the development of the toddler’s psychology.
Developing muscles:
“Stress shrinks muscles and causes tension. But when a person cries, it releases tension and relief muscles. That’s why people feel better after crying. The same thing happens with babies. When a baby cries, several muscles become softened. Moreover, babies generally twist their bodies, hands and legs while crying. It does the function of exercise for them.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is it damaging for a baby to cry?
No, a baby tries to express its emotions, including hunger and discomfort, through crying. So, crying functions as a communication medium for infants. Besides, crying has several benefits. For instance, crying develops the baby’s different muscles and psychological well-being. But letting your baby whine for so long can have a damaging effect. Research showed that a more extended period of crying hampers the development of the baby’s brain.
How much crying is too much for a baby?
It is really tough to tell the standard crying parameter since all babies are different from one another. According to research, a newborn tends to cry for 120 minutes or more than that per day. Some babies cry less in their initial days since they feel sleepy. Babies awaken and cry more as the days pass. But crying for more than 210 minutes or 3.5 hours is considerably high.
Final words
Crying is very important for babies. It plays the role of language to express its needs and emotions. Besides, crying has a crucial role in its overall development, such as muscle building, brain development, etc. While some people respond to the baby’s cry quickly, others let the baby cry for so long, believing that baby crying is good for the baby’s lungs. Therefore, many new parents often ask, “Is a baby crying good for the lungs?” out of their confusion.
So, I have discussed the impact of the baby crying on developing its lungs in detail in this article. I hope readers have found the article informative and beneficial. Also check out Why does baby food taste so bad?