Is your baby in pain? Know warning signs

Babies may not be able to speak, but that does not mean they cannot communicate. Babies often give signals that they are in pain, and parents should pay attention.

The University of Michigan Health System mentions these warning signs that baby may be in pain:

• Crying for an unusually long time, or crying that sounds higher-pitched or more severe than usual. Not crying does not always mean that baby is not in pain, however, as some premature babies may be unable to cry.
• Pay attention to the faces your baby makes: wrinkling the brow, grimacing, opening the mouth, squeezing eyes closed or deep lines around the nose can all indicate pain.
• Babies in pain may become stiff or pull their arms and legs close to them. Babies may also wiggle and squirm when in pain, while others may become very quiet.
• Babies in pain may be uninterested in eating, unable to sleep, unusually fussy or may not be easily calmed with the usual comforting techniques.