Why Is My Baby Crying? What Different Cries May Be Telling You
When your baby is crying, and you have already fed them, changed them, rocked them, and checked everything you can think of, it is easy to start wondering: What am I missing?
That is why I wanted to dedicate this episode of Building Your Village to one of the questions almost every new parent asks: Why is my baby crying?
Babies cry because crying is one of the main ways they communicate. They cannot tell you they are hungry, tired, uncomfortable, overstimulated, gassy, or simply having a difficult evening. They cry, and we learn to read the clues.
The goal is not to make parents feel as though they should automatically know what every cry means. The goal is to help you slow down, work through the most common possibilities, and get to know your own baby's patterns.
And sometimes, after you have checked everything, the answer is simply that your baby needs comfort, less stimulation, or extra support from you and your village.
Crying Is Communication
One of the most important things I want parents to understand is that crying does not automatically mean you are doing something wrong.
For a newborn, crying is communication.
Your baby may be telling you:
I am hungry.
I am tired.
My diaper is uncomfortable.
I need to burp.
I am too hot or too cold.
There is too much noise or light around me.
My stomach is uncomfortable.
I need comfort.
Something does not feel right.
Instead of immediately panicking when your baby cries, start working through the possibilities.
Over time, you begin to understand your own baby better. You notice the little signs that come before the crying, the times of day when fussiness tends to happen, and the things that usually help them settle.
That is why I always say: know your baby.
Is Your Baby Hungry?
Hunger is one of the first things to consider when a newborn begins crying.
In the episode, I talk about newborns feeding frequently and how feeding patterns can vary, particularly for premature babies. I also discuss some of the early hunger cues parents may notice before the crying becomes more intense.
Those cues may include:
Bringing the hands toward the face or mouth
Sucking on the hands
Smacking the lips
Rooting or searching for the breast or bottle
Learning those early signals can make feeding feel less reactive.
Instead of waiting until your baby is already extremely upset, you may begin recognizing, Oh, this is what my baby does when they are getting hungry.
Every baby is different, which is why feeding questions, amounts, and schedules should also be discussed with your pediatrician based on your baby's age, growth, health, and individual needs.
Your Baby May Be Tired, Not Hungry
Sometimes a baby who appears fussy does not need another feed. They need sleep.
Newborn babies cannot simply decide that they are tired, settle themselves into bed, and go to sleep. When they become overtired, they may become increasingly fussy and difficult to settle.
That is one reason I encourage parents to begin paying attention to routines early.
You do not need every minute of the day planned perfectly. But keeping track of when your baby ate, slept, woke up, and had a diaper change can help you understand what may be happening when the crying starts.
If you look at your notes and realize your baby has been awake for a while, tiredness may be part of the answer.
Track the Little Things
The newborn stage can become a blur very quickly.
When did the baby last eat?
How long did they sleep?
Was that diaper changed before or after the last feed?
How much did they drink?
That is why I am such a believer in keeping a baby log.
The Gems for Mom Baby Journal was created to help families track things like feeding, sleep, diaper changes, weight, milestones, and memories from the newborn stage. In the episode, I also talk about how having that information written down can help you spot patterns instead of trying to remember everything when you are already exhausted.
Sometimes the answer to Why is my baby crying? becomes much easier when you can look back and see what has happened throughout the day.
Check the Diaper
This sounds simple, but discomfort from a wet or soiled diaper can absolutely make a baby fussy.
Many disposable diapers have a wetness indicator that changes color when the diaper becomes wet. And, of course, a soiled diaper should be changed promptly.
In the episode, I also explain why I prefer changing a wet diaper before a feed when possible. That way, your baby is not trying to eat while already uncomfortable, and after feeding you can focus on keeping them upright, burping them, and helping them settle.
Little adjustments to the order of your routine can sometimes make the entire process smoother.
Gas and Burping Can Be Part of the Problem
Your baby cannot tell you, “My stomach hurts.”
They cry.
Gas and the need to burp are therefore another possibility to consider, especially around feeding time.
In this episode, I talk about burping babies during feeds rather than always waiting until the very end. The exact feeding and burping routine will depend on your baby, so this is another area where knowing your baby's patterns matters.
If you are considering gripe water, gas drops, or any other product for your baby, talk to your pediatrician first.
Is Your Baby Too Hot or Too Cold?
Sometimes the issue is the environment.
Babies can become uncomfortable if the room is too warm, too cold, or if they are wearing too many layers.
In the episode, I talk about checking the nursery temperature as well as what the baby is wearing. A onesie, blanket, swaddle, and additional layers can quickly become too much in a warm room.
Before assuming something complicated is happening, check the basics:
Is the room comfortable?
Is the baby overdressed?
Do they need another layer?
Sometimes one small adjustment makes a difference.
Overstimulation Is Real
Adults can leave a loud, crowded room when they have had enough.
Babies cannot.
Bright lights, television, conversation, visitors, movement, and constant interaction can all become overwhelming.
If your baby has been fed, changed, and burped but is still becoming increasingly fussy, look at what is happening around them.
Is the television on?
Are several people talking?
Have visitors been holding the baby?
Is the room bright when your baby is trying to settle?
In the episode, I recommend reducing stimulation when a baby seems overwhelmed. That may mean taking them into a quieter room, dimming the lights, limiting activity, or creating a calmer sleep environment.
Sometimes your baby does not need more stimulation.
They need less.
What Is the “Witching Hour”?
Many parents notice that their baby becomes especially fussy at roughly the same time each evening.
You may have heard this called the witching hour, purple crying, or, depending on the baby's symptoms, discussed alongside colic.
In this episode, I talk about this period of increased evening crying and how it can begin during the early weeks of a baby's life and become especially noticeable around the six-to-eight-week stage.
When you are living through it, those evenings can feel endless.
But you are not the only parent experiencing it.
Sometimes reducing stimulation, taking the baby for a walk, creating a calm environment, using white noise, or changing the routine can help.
If your baby's crying is severe, persistent, unusual, or accompanied by other symptoms, always involve your pediatrician.
What About Colic?
Colic can be incredibly difficult for families because parents may feel as though they have tried everything and their baby is still crying.
In the episode, I discuss colic and prolonged crying, as well as the importance of talking with your pediatrician when crying becomes persistent or difficult to explain.
The important thing is not to assume every crying baby has colic.
Start with the basics.
Look for patterns.
Pay attention to feeding, digestion, sleep, and your baby's overall behavior.
And if something concerns you, ask for help.
Ways to Soothe a Crying Baby
Not every soothing technique will work for every baby.
That is why caring for newborns often involves trying different things and learning what your particular baby responds to.
Some of the strategies I discuss in the episode include:
A calm, darker room
Reducing noise and stimulation
Swaddling when appropriate
White noise
Gentle rocking
Going for a walk
Skin-to-skin contact
Burping
A bath
Bicycle-leg movements
A pacifier, if your family chooses to use one
The point is not to create a giant checklist that you must perform perfectly every time.
It is to give yourself options.
Sometimes your first idea works. Sometimes your fifth idea works. Sometimes the baby simply needs time and comfort.
Sometimes Babies Need Space to Move
We naturally want to hold a crying baby.
And babies absolutely need closeness, comfort, and connection.
But if you have been holding your baby for a long time and they continue crying, sometimes placing them safely on an appropriate surface gives them an opportunity to move their body.
Babies kick their legs, arch, stretch, and move in ways that may help them work through discomfort.
In the episode, I talk about paying attention to whether your baby might benefit from being safely placed in their crib, bassinet, or play area rather than continuously being held when they are already overstimulated.
Again, the lesson is the same:
Know your baby.
Know When Crying Needs Medical Attention
Most crying is part of normal newborn communication.
But there are times when crying or other symptoms need medical attention.
In the episode, I encourage parents to contact their pediatrician or seek urgent medical care when concerning symptoms are present, including things such as:
Difficulty breathing
An unusual, severe, or inconsolable cry
Poor feeding
Persistent or concerning vomiting
Green or projectile vomiting
Blood in the stool or vomit
Significant changes in color or appearance
Fever or other signs of illness
Diarrhea or constipation accompanied by significant pain
If something about your baby's behavior feels dramatically different from what is normal for them, do not be afraid to call your pediatrician.
You do not have to diagnose the problem yourself.
It Is Okay to Need a Break
This is one of the most important parts of the episode.
A baby who will not stop crying can overwhelm even the calmest parent.
You may be tired.
You may be recovering physically.
You may have slept very little.
You may feel like nothing you are doing is working.
If your baby is safely placed in an appropriate crib or bassinet and their immediate needs have been addressed, it is okay to take a brief moment to regroup.
Get some water.
Take a moment.
Call somebody.
And make sure the baby's environment remains safe. In the episode, I specifically remind parents not to leave a newborn unattended with a toddler or pet while stepping away.
You are not supposed to carry every difficult moment by yourself.
This Is Why You Need a Village
Sometimes the answer to a crying baby is not another technique.
Sometimes you need support.
Call your partner.
Call your mother.
Call your sister.
Call a friend.
Call your postpartum doula, nanny, or newborn care specialist.
Let somebody else take over for a little while so you can reset.
That is what building a village is really about.
Support should not begin only after you have reached your breaking point. We should be building that support system before we desperately need it.
One reminder from this episode is worth remembering:
“Call your village.”
A Simple Checklist When Your Baby Is Crying
When you are exhausted, you do not need complicated instructions.
Start with the basics:
Is my baby hungry?
Does the diaper need changing?
Does my baby need to burp?
Is the room too warm or too cold?
Is my baby tired?
Could they be overstimulated?
Would a quieter or darker room help?
Have I tried rocking, walking, white noise, skin-to-skin, or another calming routine?
Is anything about this cry or my baby's behavior unusual?
Do I need to call the pediatrician?
And then ask one more question:
Do I need someone from my village to help me right now?
Need More Support With Your Newborn?
Gems4Moms helps families navigate the newborn stage with education, resources, and experienced childcare support.
Our services include:
Newborn Care
Nanny & Babysitting Services
Postpartum Consultation
Childcare education and training
Resources for new parents and caregivers
The Gems for Mom Baby Journal can also help you track feeding, sleeping, diaper changes, milestones, and important memories so you can better understand your baby's routine over time.
Visit Gems4Moms.com to learn more.
Listen to Building Your Village
In this episode of Building Your Village, we go deeper into why babies cry, the most common causes of newborn fussiness, ways to help soothe your baby, and the signs that mean it is time to call your pediatrician.
If you are pregnant, newly postpartum, caring for a newborn, or supporting families professionally, this episode will give you practical ideas you can use when the crying starts.
Subscribe and join me each week for honest conversations, newborn care education, parenting guidance, and real-life support for moms, dads, caregivers, and the professionals helping families thrive.
Because sometimes understanding your baby's cry starts with slowing down, checking the basics, and remembering that you do not have to figure it all out alone.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Contact your pediatrician or another qualified healthcare professional with questions or concerns about your baby's health, feeding, development, or persistent crying.
Comments