Newborn crying can feel very different when you are the parent listening to it. You may have fed your baby, changed their nappy, winded them, cuddled them and checked their temperature, only for the crying to continue.
At that point, it is natural to wonder whether something is wrong.
Crying is one of the main ways newborn babies communicate. It can mean hunger, tiredness, discomfort, needing contact, wind, a dirty nappy, being too hot or too cold, or simply finding the world overwhelming. It is not automatically a sign that your baby is unwell or that you are doing something wrong.
But crying can also be one of the signs parents notice when their baby is not themselves. The important thing is to look at the whole picture: how your baby is feeding, passing urine, waking, settling and behaving compared with their usual pattern.
Why do newborns cry so much?
Newborns cry because they have very few other ways to communicate.
In the early weeks, babies are still adjusting to life outside the womb. Their nervous system is immature, their sleep is irregular, their feeding pattern is still developing, and they often need help to regulate themselves.
Crying may happen because your baby is:
- Hungry or wanting to feed again
- Tired or overstimulated
- Needing a nappy change
- Windy or uncomfortable
- Too hot or too cold
- Wanting contact and reassurance
- Moving between sleep cycles
- Finding it hard to settle after a busy day
Some babies cry more in the evenings. Some have periods where they seem harder to settle for no obvious reason. This can be exhausting, but it can still be part of normal newborn behaviour if your baby is otherwise feeding, passing wet nappies and having periods where they seem alert and responsive.
Is crying always a sign something is wrong?
No. Crying is not always a sign that something is wrong.
A baby can cry and still be healthy. They may be asking for a feed, comfort, closeness or help settling. Newborns do not yet have the ability to soothe themselves reliably, so they often need an adult to help them calm down.
It can help to work through the basics. Is your baby hungry? Do they need winding? Is their nappy wet or dirty? Are they too warm or too cold? Have they been awake for too long? Do they need a quieter environment?
Sometimes, even after you have checked everything, your baby may still cry. That does not mean you have failed. Newborn care involves a lot of trial and error, and uncertainty is normal.
What matters is whether the crying is part of your baby’s usual pattern, or whether it feels persistent, extreme or very different from normal.
What should I check when my baby will not settle?
When a newborn will not settle, start with the practical things.
You can check:
- Whether your baby is showing feeding cues
- Whether their nappy needs changing
- Whether they need winding
- Whether they feel too hot or too cold
- Whether they are overtired
- Whether they have wet nappies as expected
- Whether their breathing looks comfortable
- Whether their colour looks normal for them
- Whether they have a rash, swelling or signs of pain
- Whether they are waking and responding as usual
If your baby is feeding well, passing urine, has normal colour, is breathing comfortably and has periods of alertness, that is usually reassuring.
If something feels different, take it seriously. Parents often notice subtle changes before they can clearly explain what is wrong.
When is newborn crying more concerning?
Crying is more concerning when it is persistent, inconsolable, unusual for your baby, or comes with other symptoms.
You should seek medical advice if your baby:
- Cries constantly and cannot be consoled or distracted
- Has a cry that sounds very different from normal
- Is refusing feeds or feeding poorly
- Has fewer wet nappies than expected
- Is very sleepy or difficult to wake
- Has a temperature of 38°C or above, or a low temperature
- Has breathing difficulty
- Has repeated vomiting, green vomiting or forceful vomiting
- Has a swollen tummy
- Has worsening yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Has a rash you are worried about
- Seems floppy, pale, blue or unusually unresponsive
Persistent inconsolable crying does not always mean something serious, but it is a reason to ask for help. Babies can become unwell quickly, and newborn symptoms can be subtle.
Could crying be linked to feeding, wind or reflux?
Yes, crying can sometimes be linked to feeding, wind or reflux.
Some babies cry because they are hungry and want to feed more often. Others may cry during or after feeds if they are taking in air, struggling with flow, uncomfortable with wind or bringing up milk.
Mild reflux, where babies bring up small amounts of milk after feeds, can be common and often improves with time. But crying with poor feeding, poor weight gain, breathing problems, persistent vomiting, green vomit, blood in vomit or worsening distress should be checked.
It can be helpful to look at when the crying happens. Does it follow feeds? Is it worse in the evening? Does your baby seem uncomfortable when lying flat? Are nappies and weight gain reassuring?
If feeding feels difficult, ask for support. Small adjustments to feeding position, latch, bottle flow or winding can sometimes make a big difference.
Can crying affect parents too?
Yes. A crying baby can be extremely stressful, especially when you are tired, recovering from birth or feeling unsure of yourself.
If you feel overwhelmed, put your baby down safely in their cot or Moses basket and step away for a few minutes. It is better to take a short pause than to keep holding your baby when you feel at breaking point. Never shake your baby.
Ask another adult to take over if you can. If you are alone, call someone you trust. You can also contact your health visitor, midwife, GP or NHS 111 if you are worried about your baby or about how you are coping.
Crying does not only affect the baby. Parents need support too.
When should I seek medical advice?
You should seek medical advice if the crying is persistent, inconsolable, very different from usual, or comes with any signs that your baby may be unwell.
Ask for help if your baby has:
- Poor feeding or refuses feeds
- Fewer wet nappies than expected
- Persistent vomiting, especially green or forceful vomiting
- Breathing difficulties
- A temperature of 38°C or above, or a low temperature
- Extreme sleepiness or difficulty waking
- Worsening jaundice
- A sudden change from their usual behaviour
Seek emergency help if your baby stops breathing, has blue lips, will not wake, has a non-fading rash, has a seizure, seems floppy and unresponsive, or you are seriously worried about their immediate safety.
You do not need to decide alone whether crying is serious. If you are concerned, ask for advice.
You know your baby best
Newborn crying is common, and it is often part of normal adjustment to life outside the womb. But parents should also trust their instincts. If the crying feels different, your baby cannot be consoled, or there are changes in feeding, nappies, breathing, colour, alertness or behaviour, seek medical advice.
You are not overreacting by asking for help. Sometimes the answer is reassurance. Sometimes your concern helps your baby get checked at the right time.
About the author
Dr Arindam Das is a Consultant Paediatrician with extensive experience in general paediatrics, paediatric gastroenterology and allergy. He completed his medical and postgraduate paediatric training in India before continuing his specialist training in the UK, including in Cambridge and London. Dr Das has received several academic and professional awards, including the Young Investigator Award from the European Gastroenterology Society in 2015. Alongside his clinical work, he contributes to paediatric education, guideline development and medicine optimisation, with a strong commitment to delivering safe, holistic care for children and young people.
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