When it comes to newborn crying, parents face a common dilemma. You know it’s normal — crying is your baby’s first language — yet it’s hard to resist the instinct to soothe right away. The key is learning what each cry means and how to comfort in ways that support both your baby’s well-being and your peace of mind.
Why Your Baby Cries
New parents should be reassured, however, that newborn crying is completely normal. In fact, a lot of newborn crying is normal. Iinfants typically cry between one to three hours every day. Some of the common reasons for babies crying include:
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Dirty diapers
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Gas
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Being cold
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Teething
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Hunger or thirst
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Boredom or loneliness
When It Might Be Colic
Of course, your baby’s crying can certainly be a sign that something is wrong, as well, such as pain, infection, illness, or medications. One of the most common causes of excessive crying in babies from 6 weeks to 4 months old is colic. By definition, colic is a medical condition characterized by excessive and intense crying in a healthy infant. If the crying occurs at least three hours a day at least three days a week for at least three weeks, then colic is likely the cause.
Colic can be frustrating for parents for several reasons. For one, there doesn’t seem to be any particular reason or cause for the excessive crying. Researchers have explored causes ranging from allergies to overfeeding, underfeeding, problems in the digestive system, stress and more, but nothing is definitive.
Colic also tends to occur in the evening or at night, which compounds the stress on the parents. The symptoms also seem more extreme than they actually are and include:
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Crying that sounds like screaming or pain
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Body tension like stiff legs and arms or an arched back
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Facial discoloring
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Extreme fussiness even after the crying resolves
How Is Colic Treated?
There is no specific treatment for colic, but much can be done to minimize the impact on the parents of this exhausting problem. For one, the baby’s formula may be changed to one that is hypoallergenic. Some breastfeeding mothers will modify their own diet, removing gas-forming foods or dairy products.
The most effective treatment, however, is time and patience. Parents and other family members should take turns with the baby’s care. Infant massage, soothing music, and swaddling can help the days pass for a colicky baby. Seek medical care immediately if your baby’s behavior or body language changes, or they begin to vomit suddenly.
Caring for an infant with colic can be incredibly demanding, and exhaustion may cause even the most patient caregivers to feel frustrated. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, reach out for help or step away briefly — and most importantly, never shake your baby.
How Probiotics Can Help
Another potential option for colicky babies is probiotic treatments. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can support digestive health. We recommend speaking with your child's pediatrician to determine whether your colicky baby might benefit from a probiotic treatment.
Other Causes Of Crying
If your baby is warm, clean, well-fed, burped and still crying, then colic is likely the most common culprit. But of course, other illnesses or sources of discomfort can also cause babies to cry. If your baby is sick, the cry will likely sound different than it typically does. It may sound tired and weak or be persistent no matter how much you try to soothe them.
When your baby is in pain, whether it’s from an ear infection, diaper rash or teething, the crying could take the form of a long, high-pitched shriek that gets repeated with each wave of pain. There may be other signs along with the crying that your baby is in pain, such as rubbing an infected ear or a swollen, tight belly if gas is present.
What To Do About Crying
If you’ve taken care of all your baby’s needs and the crying still persists, then try gentle rocking while stroking their head or patting their back or chest. Swaddling, singing, talking, and playing soft music are also all helpful. You can also try walking them in your arms or a stroller or burping them if you believe gas might be an issue. Finally, warm baths are often helpful for relieving crying in your baby.
When To Call The Pediatrician
When your baby has colic or another illness, infection, or pain, it’s likely that these attempts to soothe your baby may be unsuccessful. Your pediatrician is available if you’re ever concerned about your baby’s crying and whether it’s normal or not.
When it comes to reaching out to a doctor regarding your baby’s crying, the guidelines are simple. Call the doctor if:
Your pediatrician can help you get to the bottom of your baby’s excessive crying with a proper diagnosis and treatment if needed. In the case of colic, the good news is that it resolves on its own as your baby gets older.