Baby Crying? What They’re Telling You and How To Help

Few things are as joyful — and stressful — as caring for a baby. Their cute little coos can melt your heart. But when they start wailing and you can't figure out why, it can be enough to make you want to cry, too.

“Crying is how babies tell us they need something,” says pediatrician Noah Schwartz, MD. “The challenge is figuring out what they're trying to say.”

Dr. Schwartz shares reasons why babies cry and advice to help you both get back to smiling.

Why is your baby crying?

When your baby starts to cry, running through a quick checklist of common causes can help you figure out what they need.

Among the most likely culprits:

• Hunger: Newborns typically eat every one to three hours. Besides crying, your baby may smack their lips, chew on their hands or turn toward a touch on their cheek (rooting).
• Fatigue: Babies are often fussy because they’re tired. Newborns can sleep up to 20 hours a day and often need help falling asleep. Starting around 4 months old, babies may benefit from sleep training and self-soothing techniques.
• Dirty diaper: A wet or soiled diaper can be irritating. Changing it promptly can keep your baby comfortable and prevent a painful diaper rash.
• Temperature: Babies can get fussy when they’re too hot or cold. Check whether their chest or the back of their neck feels unusually warm or whether their ears and nose feel cold.
• Gas: Needing to burp or fart can cause bloating and discomfort. A gassy baby may pull their legs toward their chest, squirm or strain like they’re trying to poop.
• Food sensitivities: Though not common, food intolerances can happen, and they can make your baby extra fussy. Excessive gas, diarrhea, bloody stools and poor weight gain may be signs of a problem. “If you suspect a food intolerance, talk to your baby’s provider before making any dietary changes,” Dr. Schwartz advises.
• Colic: If your baby cries for more than three hours a day, more than three days a week and for more than three weeks, it may be colic. Colicky crying often happens most in the late afternoon or evening and can be difficult to soothe.

8 tips to help soothe your crying baby

Unfortunately, there isn’t a guaranteed way to calm a crying baby. Even from a young age, babies can have their own little quirks and preferences.

But Dr. Schwartz says these strategies may help.

1. Check the basics first

When your baby starts crying, begin with the most common causes. Check to see if they’re:

• Hungry
• Tired
• Too warm
• Too cold
• In need of a diaper change

Assessing what baby needs can help you identify the issue before the crying escalates.

2. Go skin-to-skin

Holding your baby against your bare chest can be comforting for both of you. Skin-to-skin contact helps babies feel secure and may help regulate their body temperature and heart rate.

“Many babies find the warmth, smell and sound of a caregiver’s heartbeat very calming,” Dr. Schwartz explains. “Skin-to-skin contact is a simple way to provide reassurance when your baby seems overwhelmed or unsettled.”

3. Swaddle, rock or sing

Gentle movement and soothing sounds can help recreate the comforting environment your baby experienced before birth. Swaddling may also help them feel snug and secure. During sleep, swaddling may help prevent their startle reflex from waking them.

Every baby is different, so you may need to experiment to discover which techniques work best.

4. Reduce stimulation

Newborns are constantly taking in new sights, sounds and sensations — and the world outside of the womb can seem too big, loud and bright. Sometimes, all that stimulation can become overwhelming and lead to fussiness.

If your baby seems overstimulated, try:

• Moving to a quieter space
• Turning down the lights
• Using white noise

5. Try a warm bath

A warm bath can be soothing for babies who seem uncomfortable or restless. The warm water may help relax tense muscles and provide a calming sensory experience.

“Not every baby enjoys bath time, but for some, it can be an effective reset when other soothing techniques aren’t working,” Dr. Schwartz says.

6. Get moving

Sometimes, a change of scenery can help to calm a crying baby. The gentle motion of riding in the stroller or car can be especially calming for some babies.

Fresh air and movement may help you feel more relaxed, too, which can also have a positive effect on your baby.

7. Consider a pacifier

For many babies, sucking is naturally soothing. A pacifier may help calm fussiness, especially when your baby isn’t hungry but still wants comfort.

If you’re breastfeeding, Dr. Schwartz recommends waiting until breastfeeding is well established before introducing a pacifier.

“Once feeding is going smoothly, a pacifier can become another helpful soothing tool in your toolkit,” he says.

8. Recognize your limits

It’s normal to feel frustrated when your baby won’t stop crying. And it’s OK to take a moment to regroup.

If you become overwhelmed or aggravated, it’s time to give yourself a time-out: Put your baby in a safe place (like their crib), so you can walk away for a moment to collect yourself. Remind yourself that this phase will end.

“An emotionally overextended caregiver isn’t good for anyone,” Dr. Schwartz emphasizes. “If you can’t manage your emotions or reactions, things can quickly escalate and become dangerous.”

Accept support from loved ones when available. And talk with a healthcare provider if you’re struggling to cope with the stress of caring for your baby.

Contact emergency services (911) or crisis support (dial or text 988 in the U.S.) if you’re concerned that you or someone in your home could pose a danger to your baby or others.

When to call or see a doctor

Most baby crying is normal. But contact your healthcare provider if your baby has:

• A fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher
• Bloody stools
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Excessive spitting up or vomiting
• Trouble eating or drinking
• Signs of illness or injury

You should also reach out if something simply doesn’t seem right.

“I always encourage families to make an appointment whenever something seems ‘off,’” Dr. Schwartz says. “Your provider can examine your baby and make sure nothing concerning is going on. If everything checks out, you’ll have peace of mind.”

And if the crying starts to feel overwhelming, remember Dr. Schwartz’s advice: “Taking care of yourself is part of taking care of your baby, too.”