My 2 day old won’t stop crying

Second night syndrome. The word syndrome. It implies something is wrong when in reality everything is going as expected. For nine months your baby has been in your belly and connected in every way. Their existence controlled by the cycles of your body. Then the intensity of labor and delivery propels them into a new world that sounds, smells, and moves differently. The sheer exertion of being born often makes babies as tired as their mothers. On the second night, however, most babies will want to frequently nurse. This helps with two transitions:  meconium to soft, seedy yellow poops and colostrum to mature milk. This cluster feeding catches many parents by surprise and leaves them wondering if baby is starving. Unless baby is not latched well or efficiently feeding, this is normal. It takes 22-24 good latches and feedings to stimulate the breast for making milk. Many babies, though, don’t want to be put down during this process. Each time you put them on the breast they nurses for a little bit, go back to sleep and then cry when placed in the crib.  Many are convinced it is because their milk isn’t “in” yet, and baby is starving.  It isn’t that, baby’s awareness that the most comforting place is at the breast where you body regulates their temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate and blood sugar.  This is pretty universal among babies. When baby drifts off to sleep at the breast after a good feed, break the suction and take your nipple gently out of their mouth.  Don’t try to burp baby, just snuggle baby until they fall into a deep sleep where they won’t be disturbed by being moved. Keep baby in skin to skin contact as much as possible in this transition and trust your body in the process.