Welcoming a new life into the world is a miraculous and joyous occasion. Still, it comes with a rite of passage for parents that even the most seasoned ones admit to finding challenging—the mystery of your baby’s cries. Babies cry for various reasons, and deciphering the language of their tears is a skill that takes time and patience to master. For new parents and caregivers, this guide aims to unravel the common causes behind your little one’s sobs and provide gentle, effective ways to soothe them. Prepare yourself, take a deep breath, and let’s start understanding your baby’s cries as your first step to parenthood mastery.

Why Is My Baby Crying?

Crying is your baby’s primary means of communication, and they’re surprisingly good at it. It’s their tool for signaling that something isn’t quite right in their tiny world. Here are the most common reasons behind those loud, insistent wails:

Hunger

The first rule of baby cries is to check the feeding clock. A hungry baby will express their needs with urgency and frequency. Newborns feed often—every two to three hours, in general. If it’s time (or past time) for a feed, it’s likely they’re crying for sustenance.

Wetness or Dirty Diaper

No child, newborn or otherwise, likes to sit in a wet or soiled diaper. Your baby might seem okay for a while, but eventually, even the most comfortable infant will cry out for a change.

Sleepiness

Believe it or not, a tired baby cries not to stay awake but to go to sleep. Look for rubbing of eyes, yawning, and crankiness as signals that it’s nap time.

Want for Cuddles

Human touch and comfort are as vital to a baby as food and sleep. Sometimes, a soft, cozy snuggle with mum or dad is what a distressed baby needs.

Discomfort from Gas

If your baby’s tummy is gassy, it can cause both pain and fussiness. They may draw their legs up and have difficulty lying flat. Gas relief techniques can help alleviate their distress.

Temperature Extremes

Babies aren’t great at regulating their body temperatures. Being too hot or too cold can lead to discomfort and crying.

Overstimulation

Newborns are processing an entire world of new sensations. When this becomes overwhelming, babies may seek relief in the form of crying—a signal that they’re overstimulated.

The key to managing these outbursts is to approach them methodically and to always go down a mental checklist of the basics. If you’ve ruled out the top physiological needs, it’s time to dedicate to comforting your baby in other ways.

How to Comfort a Crying Baby

Every baby is different, and one comfort method might work like magic for one and elicit more cries from another. Here are various techniques that have provided solace for many a baby and parent:

The Power of Sound

Newborns, who’ve spent the last nine months in utero, are familiar with the constant sound of your heartbeat and the blood flowing in your veins. Recreating this noise through white noise machines, shushing, and even the rumble of a car engine, can be incredibly comforting.

The Pacifying Power of Sucking

It’s not just food that babies are seeking when they root around for the nipple or a fist. Sucking is a natural, relaxing motion for them, so a pacifier or even a clean finger can work wonders for a fussy baby.

Swaddle Comfort

Many infants find solace in a firm, warm swaddle. It simulates the secure feeling of the womb, which can often be the perfect environment to ease a tough crying spell.

Rhythm and Motion

Babies are born dancers. The rhythmic sway of a parent’s arms or the gentle bouncing of a lap can be like hitting the stop button on a crying fit. Remember, not all babies like to be held or moved in the same way, so it might take some experimentation to find what pattern of movement works best.

Sometimes, the gentle hum and rhythmic motion of a car ride or the fresh outdoor air during a walk with the pram bring the most effective solace. They work like a charm in offering comfort to your infant. However, if you opt for a car ride to calm your crying baby, be mindful of the time spent on the road. It’s wise to set a reasonable limit, ensuring you’re not resorting to long drives too frequently or unintentionally establishing car rides as a habitual necessity for sleep. This is about finding a quick and gentle method to help soothe your baby while prioritizing safety and creating healthy sleep habits that can save you from future stress.

Massage and Skin-to-Skin

Massaging your baby, once they are old enough, can be a soothing way to ease colic, gas, or general fussiness. Just remember to keep your touch gentle and your baby in a warm environment.

Warm Bath

The sensation of warm water can relax muscles in babies, much like in adults. A warm bath can be a delightful experience for many infants and can often help them calm down.

The Witching Hour

Between 5 and 7 PM, many babies experience “the witching hour.” During these regularly scheduled meltdowns, only patience and time—sometimes lots of it—can offer comfort. But remember, it’s a phase, and it shall pass.

By applying these techniques, parents can comfort their little ones and find a semblance of peace in the household. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and as your understanding deepens, so too will your ability to comfort.

When the Cries Persist

Babies crying distressingly can be one of the most challenging aspects of parenthood. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, they continue crying, and it can feel helpless. If your baby is experiencing persistent crying that seems beyond normal fussiness, there are a few steps you can take:

Colic or Consolable Crying

Colic is diagnosed when a baby cries for extended periods, often for no clear reason. It’s generally defined as three hours of crying a day, at least three days a week, for three weeks or more. If you suspect colic, consider talking to your pediatrician.

Physical Discomfort or Illness

If you’ve tried everything—feeding, changing, comfort—and your baby is still crying and seems in pain, a check-up may be in order. Sometimes, illness or physical discomfort can cause persistent crying.

Emotional Comfort

Your baby is attuned to your emotional state, and if you’re stressed or anxious, they’re likely to pick up on that unrest, leading to more crying. Try to keep calm and remember that this phase will pass.

Partnering with Professionals

You’re not alone on this parenting path. Your pediatrician, lactation consultant, new-parent support group, or online parenting community can offer guidance and support when dealing with a crying baby. They can also provide a wealth of knowledge and resources to inform your approach to soothing your little one.

Breastfeeding Support

For breastfeeding mothers, seeking assistance with positioning, latch, and perhaps tongue tie assessments is a proactive step in addressing crying during feeding times.

For more information on breastfeeding head to our The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Successful Breastfeeding post.

Joining Parenting Groups

Connecting with other parents can be a lifeline. They offer camaraderie, shared experiences, and often, some of the most ingenious unorthodox methods for calming a crying baby.

The bottom line is that crying is normal, and understanding when and why your baby cries is the first step towards addressing the problem. By being attentive and responsive, new parents can build trust and lay the foundations for a loving, secure relationship with their child. Remember, this phase passes, and with each cry, you’re learning more about your baby and about the kind of parent you want to be. Stay patient, stay calm, and remember to breathe – you’ve got this.

If you are worried about your baby crying contact your doctor, midwife or health visitor for support.