Why do babies cry?

Babies cry for many reasons. Sometimes it's obvious they're hungry, tired, or even bored; at other times, it can be less clear what they want. Babies don't cry to annoy you — they are communicating a need in the only way they know how.

The only way young babies know how to communicate is through crying. In the first 3 months of life, crying helps to build a close relationship between parents and their baby, as your baby learns how to call you when they need something.

The pitch and intensity of your baby's cry are designed by nature to get you to respond quickly. As they mature, they'll learn other ways to tell you what they need. Be patient as you learn what your baby's cries might mean and what they need.

In very young babies, a couple of hours of crying in the late afternoons and evening is common.

Your baby's individual personality and temperament influence their behaviour. Although all babies are sensitive, some need a little more frequent soothing and reassurance than others.

Will my baby's crying change as they grow?

A baby's age, environment and temperament all have an impact on their behaviour. All babies go through changes in their crying patterns, and sometimes it's hard to work out why.

Babies also change their sleeping and feeding routines when they're growing through a new developmental stage. It's the same when they're unwell, teething, or experiencing separation anxiety.

In the first 3 years of life, babies are developing connections or pathways in their brain and need consistent nurturing to feel safe. This takes a lot of energy from parents, who often feel tired and sleep deprived.

As your baby gets older, their sleep patterns will become more predictable. Newborns sleep between 14 and 17 hours of each 24-hour day. As they mature, they'll need less sleep during the day and have more continuous sleep overnight.

What are some of the common reasons for crying?

Sometimes it may be hard to know why your baby is crying. But it's helpful to be able to rule out a few of the more common causes of crying and to understand why your baby is upset.

Consider whether your baby might be:

• feeling uncomfortable — try changing their nappy and checking they're not too hot or cold
• hungry, tired or have a tummy ache — overtired babies often cry loudly when they need to sleep
• in need of cuddles and reassurance
• not feeling well — sometimes crying is the only obvious sign that a baby is unwell

What are the best ways to settle a crying baby?

Most babies like to be picked up and held when they're crying. Rocking, 'shooshing', swaying and patting can help them to settle.

Babies aged less than 3 months often respond well to being swaddled. This helps them to feel secure and supports longer sleep periods. Young babies often prefer settling in arms, or with hands on settling strategies until they learn more independent skills.

Babies often feel calm with movement, which is why going for a walk with the pram or placing them in a sling or carrier can help.

Some babies are particularly sensitive to stimuli such as noise and lights, and calm more quickly in a dark, quiet room. Others prefer some background sounds rather than a completely quiet environment.

Think about your own emotions when your baby is crying. Many parents say their baby 'picks up' on what else is going on in the household, especially when there's tension. Try to be mindful and focus on staying calm and reassuring when your baby's crying.

No long-term harm is done when healthy babies have short term periods of crying. What's important is that parents do what they can to provide calm reassurance.

Tips to settle a crying baby - video

Video provided by Raising Children Network.

What can I do to help avoid my baby crying?

Follow a regular settling routine — this will help your baby to feel secure and learn it's time for sleep. A gentle, predictable wind-down period helps babies transition from being active to becoming calm. Learning your baby's tired signs, such as yawning, rubbing their eyes, grizzling and fussiness are common signs they need to sleep.

Try to separate your baby's feeding and settling times. It's normal and very common for young babies to go to sleep when they're feeding and being held. Missing their 'sleep window' can lead to overtiredness, making it more difficult to settle.

Make sure they're comfortable, warmly dressed (but not too hot) and have a dry nappy. The best time for most babies to settle is after feeding. Try to place your baby in their cot when they're still drowsy, rather than asleep in your arms.

Stay with them until they're relaxed and drifting off to sleep. Support your baby so they learn how to settle independently, without always needing your help.

What is ‘period of PURPLE crying’?

The ‘period of PURPLE crying’ refers to an acronym that describes newborn crying behaviours typically seen over their first few months of life.

Some babies cry more than others for a variety of reasons and sometimes there is no obvious reason why your baby is crying and this can be very distressing.

This period of excessive crying usually begins within the first few weeks of life and peaks at around 6 to 8 weeks. It often stops by the time the baby is 4 months old, and by 6 months at the latest.

‘PURPLE’ stands for:

• Peaks in crying — the time when your baby will cry the most (usually around 8 weeks)
• Unexplained — there is no apparent reason why your baby is crying
• Resists soothing — usual techniques for settling your baby don’t work
• Pain-like face — your baby might pull faces like they are in pain
• Long-lasting — crying for a long time, 5 or more hours at a time
• Evening — your baby is more likely to cry late afternoon or evening

Once you have fed, changed and burped your baby, it’s important to stay calm while providing the emotional support your baby needs. Most babies who cry a lot are going through a period of emotional growth and need a lot of calm love and support to help them feel safe.

The term ‘colic’ has previously been used to describe this period of time.

Speak to your doctor or child health nurse if you are worried about how much your baby is crying.

What is colic?

‘Colic’ is a term that is no longer used that would describe an unsettled baby that would cry for more than 3 hours at a time.

Typically starting around the first few weeks, it can peak around 8 weeks, but can last up to 4 to 5 months. This period of excessive crying is now often referred to as the ‘period of PURPLE crying’ (see above).

Over-the-counter medication and devices labelled for ‘colic’ have no proven benefit.

How do I look after myself when my baby is crying?

Parenting can be a challenge, and it's important to look after your own needs. This means eating regular, healthy meals, staying well hydrated, getting as much rest and sleep as possible and knowing when to ask for help. Accept all reasonable offers of support from the people closest to you.

Read more on looking after your mental and physical wellbeing.

Try to stay calm, even though your baby is upset. Practice some mindfulness exercises and deep breathing.

Understand that sometimes you won't know what your baby wants. Try not to view their crying as something you need to 'fix', but instead see it as their main means of communication.

What are the signs my baby is unwell?

Take your baby to a doctor if they have:

• a high temperature, (more than 38⁰C)
• vomiting or diarrhoea
• difficulty breathing
• a rash, or pale or blue skin
• changes in their feeding pattern
• not as many wet or dirty nappies as usual

You also shouldn't be afraid to take your baby to the doctor if you are worried, or sense something is not right.

What not to do when your baby is crying

It can be stressful and frustrating at times when your baby is crying, especially when you can't get them to settle down.

What's important is that you never:

• shake your baby — this can cause bleeding in their brain, which can lead to brain damage and even death
• become angry with your baby — including raising your voice, smacking, or handling them roughly
• stay physically close to your baby when you're feeling angry

If you feel yourself becoming overwhelmed by your baby's crying, place them in their cot and walk away. Return when you're feeling calm. Be mindful of your own mental health and see your GP or child health nurse if you're feeling anxious or depressed.

Resources and support

• Royal Children's Hospital offers information for families with steps for settling your baby and care for crying and unsettled babies.
• The Sleep Health Foundation has tips to help your baby sleep better.
• Red Nose offers advice on wrapping or swaddling babies.