Health Tip: How to Find That Baby is in Pain

Young infants may cry a lot. And new parents may not know exactly what’s wrong.

The University of Michigan Health System lists thesewarning signs that your new baby may be in pain:

• A more insistent cry that lasts longer than usual, or a cry that’s higher in pitch.
• Silence doesn’t always mean baby is fine. Very sick or premature babies may not have the energy to cry.
• Making unusual faces, such as wrinkling the brow, squeezing eyes closed, getting deep creases around the nose, grimacing or holding the mouth open.
• Stiff or tense posture, with limbs completely stretched out or pulled tight into the body. Babies may also wiggle or squirm, or be “floppy” as if they’ve lost muscle tone.
• Fussiness or irritability that can’t be soothed or comforted.
• Not eating or not sleeping.