Types of Babies

Breastfeeding

All babies have the same basic needs. Babies need food, diapering, clothes, sleep, attention, and love. However, not all babies express these needs the same way. Even from birth, babies have distinct personalities and communication styles.

All babies cry. However, not all babies cry the same amount or for the same reasons. In order to meet the baby's needs, parents need to learn what their baby is communicating. This section identifies some common characteristics of different "types" of babies. This information can assist parents to better understand baby.

It is important to note that you probably can't spoil a baby. Responding to a baby's cry actually increases his sense of security and confidence that his needs will be met. Caring for a baby can require a lot of time. Parents should expect to spend one out of every three hours caring for their baby. But this is time well spent in raising a happy, healthy child.

The Average Baby:

Nurses between 8 and 15 times a day after she is three days old.

• Nurses between 8 and 15 times a day after she is three days old.
• Sleeps from 12 to 20 hours a day with one or two longer periods of sleep balanced by one or two fussy periods.
• Is usually responsive when handled.
• Has quiet, alert, and listening awake periods.
• Soothes himself by sucking or using other types of comforting.

The Quiet Baby:

• Nurses the same as the average baby, but has longer sleep periods.
• Is less demanding and less fussy.

The Placid Baby:

• May ask for only four to six nursings a day. The placid baby must be watched to make sure he's getting enough to eat. He may not give the proper signals to the mother for nursing and attention.
• Sleeps 18 to 20 hours a day and is quietly alert and tranquil when awake. Mother must be reminded to feed the baby every two to three hours whether the baby asks for it or not.
• May be happy sucking his fist, thumb, or pacifier rather than nursing. Mother should avoid giving the baby a pacifier and should offer the breast instead.

The Active and Fussy Baby:

• Nurses more frequently, nurses greedily, and is impatient for milk to let-down.
• Sleeps fewer hours and is not able to calm himself when awake. He has several crying spells a day, may startle and cry easily, and may be disturbed by noise, visitors, or outings.
• Enjoys being warm and swaddled, being held close and held often, and may not nap well in a strange place.
• Should be allowed to nurse, doze, and play at the breast for generous periods of time if he finds comfort in this.
• May spit up and needs lots of burping if he is nursing too eagerly and getting lots of air.

The Colicky Baby:

• Suffers severe discomfort most of the time, not just once or twice a day.
• Has a piercing cry, sharp gas pains, and draws up legs sharply to abdomen or goes rigid and arches back. The continuous crying causes the baby to develop gas and further aggravate the discomfort.
• Does not quiet during cuddling.
• Is hard to soothe.
• Mother needs lots of support. She may feel frustrated, angry, resentful, and exhausted.
• Needs extra attention to be comforted.
• Burping the baby with pressure on his abdomen can be helpful.
• A massage after a warm bath can also help comfort the baby.
• Laying baby tummy down on the forearm with the baby's head in the crook of caregiver's hand may help by providing pressure to the baby's stomach. The caregiver's free hand can be used to rub the baby's back.

Babies often cry because they are:

• Having bowel movements.
• Experiencing a sore bottom.
• Having problems with an air bubble.
• Too hot or too cold.
• Hungry or too full.
• In need of affection or holding.
• Bored.
• Tense (a nice warm bath can be soothing).
• Irritable (which may occur if the mother is consuming too much caffeine).
• Experiencing allergies (check for allergies in the family).