One of the only things you know for certain going into parenthood is that your baby will cry. It may not always be easy to hear, but crying is both normal and important. It is baby’s main way of telling you they need something—whether they are hungry, tired, uncomfortable, or just want to be close to you. Crying is how babies respond to what’s going on inside them and around them. Since they can’t use words yet, it is their way of communicating. Understanding this can help you feel more confident as a parent or caregiver, and better able to comfort and care for your baby in those early months.
Common reasons for crying
The most common reasons for why your baby may be crying are:
- Hunger: this is the number one reason why babies cry, especially in the beginning. As newborns have small stomachs, they can only eat small amounts at once but need to be fed every few hours. Some babies may also give you small cues when hungry, such as smacking their lips or sucking on their hands, before starting to cry.
- Wet or dirty diaper: A dirty diaper can lead to discomfort and crying. Therefore, it is important to do regular diaper checks to make sure your little one is dry and comfortable.
- Fatigue: when babies miss their natural sleep window, they often cry because they are sleepy or overtired. This can lead to overstimulation, which in turn makes it even harder for them to fall asleep. In these cases, their crying is usually whiny or fussy. Some babies may also rub their eyes when they’re overtired.
- Loneliness: babies come into the world with an innate need for physical closeness. Crying can therefore often be an indicator that your little one is craving attention, a cuddle or just reassurance through your physical presence and proximity. A cuddle, some skin to skin contact and some soothing words can work wonders to calm them down.
- Tummy troubles, gas and colic: another very common cause of crying is digestive discomfort stemming from gas, colic or the need to burp. A gentle tummy massage, some bicycle movements of the legs or burping your little one after feeding might work wonders to relieve some of the discomfort.
- Illness or pain: in some cases, crying can also be an indicator of illness or pain. If the crying feels very intense or is accompanied with symptoms such as fever, changes in appetite, lethargy or similar, this may be an indicator that your little one is feeling unwell. Always trust your gut and consult your pediatrician if something feels off to you.
- Discomfort and temperature sensitivity: babies cannot regulate their own body temperature as well as adults can in the beginning, meaning that when they are crying, they may be trying to signal to you that they are too hot or too cold. If your little one is crying and you have ruled out other causes such as hunger, fatigue and loneliness, check the room's temperature and their clothes to ensure that they are not too warm or cold.
- Overstimulation: being new to the world, babies are still adjusting to our world filled with noise, light and people, which can lead to the overstimulation of the senses and result in crying. Giving your little one a break from the busy world by letting them rest in a quiet, dimly lit space may help them calm down and relax.
Understanding different types of crying
Whilst all crying might sound the same in the beginning, you may realize that over time you can hear small differences between your little one's cries, allowing you to distinguish between them and recognize what it is that your baby is asking for.
Despite each baby’s cries being unique to them, some cries typically follow a specific pattern. For example, hunger cries tend to be rather rhythmic and repetitive, whilst cries of pain tend to be of a higher pitch, louder and more sudden. Cries of fatigue or tiredness often sound whinier and more intermittent and cries signaling discomfort are often accompanied by your baby squirming and being fussy.
If you feel uneasy or get the feeling that your baby is crying differently or excessively without you being able to soothe it or find the reason for it, we recommend getting in touch with your pediatrician to ensure your baby’s wellbeing and rule out any illnesses.
Strategies to soothe your baby
Once again it is important to remember that there is no one size fits all approach to parenting and one baby’s needs when upset may be very different from another's, however there are some techniques that are always worth a try when trying to comfort a crying baby.
- Feeding: as babies often cry as an indicator of hunger, try feeding your little one.
- Burping: to avoid discomfort due to a buildup of gas, try burping your baby after feeding.
- Skin to skin contact: holding your baby close to you whilst you move around can provide reassurance when your baby feels alone or craves attention. Using a baby wrap allows you to be physically close to your baby whilst moving around freely without restrictions.
- Diaper check: check your baby’s diapers regularly and change them when needed to avoid any discomfort from a wet or dirty diaper.
- Rocking, bouncing and swinging: many babies stop crying nearly instantly when rocked or bounced up and down gently. Using a baby hammock or cradle with a motor to create such calming movements can be a great help to parents in the early months.
- Pacifiers: gentle suckling on a pacifier can help calm your baby down. Suckling is a natural reflex for babies and provides them with comfort and a feeling of security and are therefore many parents’ best friend when helping their baby relax and self-soothe.
- Soft sounds: lullabies and soft noises, such as white or brown noise can help soothe your baby when it is crying. Using a white noise machine to help your baby calm down can work wonders to ease the crying.
Always remember to be patient with your little one (and yourself) and to trust your instincts when trying to figure out what it is that your baby needs. The crying will pass and comforting your baby when it is upset allows you to build a strong emotional bond.
To sum it up...
Understanding why your baby is crying and learning how to respond effectively to soothe them is a vital part of parenthood. Recognizing why your baby is crying and comforting your little one when they need you fosters deep trust and lets your baby know that they are in an emotionally secure place that will be there for them as they grow and develop.
Whilst it can be hard, especially when you are tired yourself, to soothe your little one – always remember that crying is normal and your baby’s way of telling you that they need something. Being patient, trusting your gut and listening to your baby’s cry may help you recognize the subtle differences in their cries, allowing you to become more confident in meeting their needs over time.
It is also important to remember that not all crying can be stopped right away, but trying to be there for your little one and holding them can already offer the comfort they need in many cases. So do not panic when your little one does not stop crying immediately, trust yourself and remember: this phase doesn’t last forever.
For a closer look at what to expect as your little one grows and how their needs change over time, check out our step-by-step guide to your baby's first year of development—a helpful companion to guide you through each milestone with care and confidence.
