Why Babies Cry
A baby in a womb relies completely on its mother for everything. Nutrition and oxygen, both come from the placenta. The moment it separates from its mother, it no longer has placental support, it is forced to rebel against the pressure difference between its lungs and atmosphere. For that purpose it has to inflate its lungs for the very first time. Crying becomes the reflex that forces air into lungs, clears the amniotic fluid out, and kickstarts proper breathing. If the baby laughs instead of crying, it wouldn't be able to generate enough pressure needed to open up the lungs. Crying in a way turns out to be nature's CPR, a loud announcement that life has begun. But crying symbolizes something deeper than just arrival or inception. It symbolizes the eternal state of human existence that is grief. If life were to be such a merry thing, why'd it start with such a gesture that's associated with woe? "An infant unaware of any meaning is untouched with any ...