All babies cry, though some cry more frequently than others. Crying is your baby’s way of signaling that they need comfort and care to help calm your crying baby.
At times, it’s clear what your baby needs, but other times, it’s less obvious. The most frequent causes of crying are: #CalmYourCryingBaby
hunger
a dirty or wet nappy
tiredness
wanting a cuddle
wind
being too hot or too cold
boredom
overstimulation
Your baby might cry more during certain times of the day, especially in the early evening, which is often challenging when you’re exhausted.
Typically, crying peaks between 4 to 8 weeks of age and then slowly decreases.
How to calm a crying baby
Experiment with these methods to soothe your baby, as some may be more effective than others.
If you’re breastfeeding, let your baby suckle at your breast.
Having some gentle noise in the background may help distract your baby.
Some older babies like to use a bit of cloth or a blanket as a comforter.
Hold your baby or put them in a sling so they’re close to you. Move about gently, sway and dance, talk to them and sing.
Rock your baby backwards and forwards in the pram, or go out for a walk or a drive. But limit how long your baby sleeps in a car seat to up to 30 minutes for newborns and up to 2 hours for babies. Even if they wake up again when you stop, at least you’ll have had a break.
Find something for them to listen to or look at. This could be music on the radio, a CD, a rattle, or a mobile above the cot.
Try stroking your baby’s back firmly and rhythmically, holding them against you or lying face downwards on your lap.
Undress your baby and massage them gently and firmly. Avoid using any oils or lotions until your baby’s at least a month old. Talk soothingly as you do it and keep the room warm enough. Some health centres and clinics run baby massage courses. For information, ask your midwife or health visitor.
Try a warm bath. This calms some babies instantly, but makes others cry even more.
Sometimes too much rocking and singing can keep your baby awake. You might find lying them down after a feed will help.
Ask your health visitor for advice.
Crying While Feeding
Some babies become fussy or unsettled during feedings. If you’re breastfeeding, adjusting your baby’s position and latch might help them calm down.
Consider visiting a local breastfeeding support group for additional assistance if one is available in your area.
You can always reach out to your health visitor for guidance.
Crying during feeds might be due to reflux, where babies spit up milk. Check with your health visitor or doctor for more advice.
If your baby cries constantly
Many factors can lead to excessive crying in babies.
It can be very tiring when you’ve tried everything, yet nothing seems to calm your baby.
Colic
Excessive crying might indicate colic. While colic is recognized, its exact cause remains unclear.
Some doctors believe it could be due to stomach cramps. The crying often seems painful and intermittent, hinting at stomach discomfort.
The episodes of crying can last for hours. You may have to focus on comforting your baby and waiting for the crying to subside.
Crying and illness
If your baby is crying nonstop and nothing seems to help, or if their cry sounds different from usual, they might be sick.
Also, if they have a high temperature along with crying, it could be a sign of illness. In this situation, reach out to your health visitor, GP, or call NHS 111.
Call 999 and ask for an ambulance if your baby:
has a fit (seizure or convulsion)
has blue, mottled, ashen (grey) or very pale skin
is unresponsive, floppy or not waking up as easily as usual
breathes rapidly or makes a throaty noise while breathing, or seems to be working hard to breathe, perhaps sucking in their stomach under their ribcage
is being violently sick a lot (projectile vomiting)
has a high temperature, but their hands and feet feel cold
has a spotty purple-red rash anywhere on the body – this could be a sign of meningitis
Trust your instincts; you can sense when your baby’s behavior seems unusual or concerning.
Finding Support for a Crying Baby
You can reach out to a friend, your health visitor, or GP for support. Additionally, you can contact the Cry-sis helpline at 0800 448 0737, available from 9am to 10pm every day.
Cry-sis can connect you with other parents who have faced similar challenges, offering valuable support and understanding.
When consulting your health visitor or GP, keep a detailed record of when and how often your baby cries. This can help identify patterns or specific triggers.
For instance, note if the crying happens after feeds or during certain times of the day. This information can aid in diagnosing any underlying issues.
Maintaining a record also allows you to recognize when you need additional help and consider adjustments to your daily routine.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, remember that it’s okay to seek help. If no one is available to care for your baby briefly, ensure they’re safe in their cot or pram, then take a short break to calm yourself.
Set a time limit – for example, 10 minutes – then go back.
Never shake your baby
No matter how upset you are, never shake your baby. Shaking can harm their brain and cause serious injury.
Use these strategies to effectively calm your crying baby and bring peace to your parenting journey. #CalmYourCryingBaby
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