“But Doc She’s Crying!”

When we were discharged from the hospital, we brought our two day baby home full of new found confidence. We were parents (yay) and were determined to do everything in our power to keep our baby happy and healthy.

When Ayana was 6 days old she suddenly started crying one night. It wasn't the kind of crying we had heard so far-this was a deep distress call; continuous and very worrying to hear.  We changed her diaper, tried feeding her, walked with her, sang to her, hummed and cooed, made funny faces; basically tried everything we could think of. But the crying continued unabated.  So finally we called my mom over who was equally puzzled.

Meanwhile my husband suddenly felt her forehead and declared she was running a fever. So mom and I anxiously touched her and agreed that she felt warm.  Ayana was diagnosed at birth with a touch of Jaundice so the doctor had told us to keep her in the sunlight daily for some time. My husband who was not too much in favour of the idea was convinced she was unwell coz of too much exposure outdoors.  I tried halfheartedly to defend myself but with Ayana crying away I wasn't too sure if he wasn't correct.

After another half an hour of trying, at 10.30 pm we unanimously decided that there was something seriously wrong so we rushed to the hospital emergency department. The doctor assigned to us asked what exactly her symptoms were to which we replied “She’s crying.” There was an expectant silence as the doctor waited for us to continue. We looked at each other and shrugged. That was it. Her main symptom was that she was crying. To make us feel better he examined Ayana thoroughly.  No fever was found. My husband told him about the sun exposure but that theory was shot down. Her jaundice count wasn't high enough to warrant worry.

The doctor then gave us a look which essentially said “New Parents!!!” and told us in the kindest way possible that babies cry. Sometimes for no apparent reason. Oops! We could almost feel the entire emergency ward trying to hide smiles. To make matters worse Ayana chose that moment to stop crying and fall into deep sleep.

We gathered our dignity best we could and sheepishly trooped out of the hospital. Lesson learnt- babies cry. Sometimes, all the times, a lot of times. But that first hospital visit; in equal parts terrifying and embarrassing; will never be forgotten.