Newborn Crying: Causes, Soothing and Warning Signs

Newborn crying can feel simple during the day and overwhelming at 2 in the morning.

Your baby may be fed.

The diaper may be clean.

You may have rocked, cuddled, burped, and walked around the room.

Yet the crying continues.

That does not always mean something is wrong.

Crying is one of the main ways a newborn communicates. Your baby may be hungry, tired, uncomfortable, too warm, overstimulated, or simply asking to be close to you.

Sometimes the reason is obvious.

Sometimes it is not.

As a father and grandfather, I have learned that the hardest crying is often the crying we cannot explain right away. Parents naturally want a quick answer. But newborns do not always fit neat rules.

This guide explains normal newborn crying patterns, why babies become fussier at night, common causes of crying, safe ways to calm your baby, colic, feeding clues, warning signs, and when to call your baby's healthcare provider.

For more newborn care help, visit our Complete Baby Care Guide.

Quick Answer: Why Do Newborn Babies Cry?

Common reasons for newborn crying include:

• Hunger
• A wet or dirty diaper
• Tiredness
• Wanting to be held
• Being too warm or too cold
• Too much noise or activity
• Feeding discomfort
• Reflux
• Normal evening fussiness
• Colic
• Illness or pain

Start with simple needs.

Check feeding, diaper, temperature, comfort, and your baby's general condition.

If your baby feeds normally, breathes comfortably, has normal colour, wakes normally, and settles between crying periods, that is reassuring.

How Much Crying Is Normal for a Newborn?

There is a wide normal range.

Mayo Clinic notes that a newborn may typically cry for about 1 to 4 hours during a day.

Some babies cry much less.

Some cry more.

The amount of crying often increases during the first weeks.

NHS guidance says crying tends to increase from around 2 weeks of age and usually begins to reduce around 3 months.

This normal pattern is sometimes called the crying curve.

Do not judge your parenting by the number of minutes your baby cries.

Why Does Newborn Crying Increase During the First Weeks?

Your baby's nervous system is still developing.

Every day brings new sounds, light, movement, feeding, digestion, and physical sensations.

A newborn has very few ways to tell you what they need.

Crying is one of them.

As your baby becomes older, they gain more ways to communicate and regulate their body.

Crying often becomes easier with time.

Can I Tell What My Baby Needs From the Cry?

Sometimes you may notice patterns.

But do not depend on a special cry sound to diagnose the cause.

A hunger cry does not always sound one way.

A pain cry does not always sound another way.

Look at your whole baby.

Ask:

• When did my baby last feed?
• Is my baby rooting?
• Is the diaper wet or dirty?
• Is my baby tired?
• Is the room very busy?
• Does my baby seem uncomfortable?
• Is breathing normal?
• Does my baby have a fever?

Patterns become easier to recognize as you get to know your baby.

Reason 1: Your Newborn Is Hungry

Hunger is one of the most common reasons newborn babies cry.

Newborn stomachs are small.

They need frequent milk feeds.

Look for early newborn hunger cues before crying starts.

These may include:

• Rooting
• Turning the head toward touch
• Opening the mouth
• Sucking movements
• Hands moving toward the mouth
• Increasing alertness
• Restlessness

Crying can be a later hunger cue.

For more detail, read our Newborn Hunger Cues Guide.

Can a Newborn Cry Soon After Feeding?

Yes.

A baby can become sleepy during a feed before taking enough milk.

Your baby may then wake and cry again.

Other possibilities include:

• Wanting another feed
• Needing a burp
• Reflux
• A wet diaper
• Wanting contact

If your baby repeatedly struggles to feed, falls asleep very quickly at every feed, has fewer wet diapers, or is not gaining weight as expected, contact your healthcare provider.

What Is Cluster Feeding?

Cluster feeding means your baby wants several feeds close together.

This often happens during the evening.

Your baby may feed, rest, become fussy, and want to feed again.

This can make parents feel as if their baby is crying all night.

Cluster feeding can be normal.

It does not automatically mean your breast milk supply is low.

Read our Cluster Feeding Guide.

Reason 2: Your Baby Needs a Diaper Change

Some babies tolerate a wet diaper well.

Others complain immediately.

A dirty diaper can irritate the skin and become uncomfortable.

Check the diaper when your baby is fussy.

At night, keep the change calm and quiet.

Reason 3: Your Newborn Wants to Be Held

Wanting physical contact is normal.

Your baby has spent months surrounded by warmth, movement, pressure, and sound.

Your arms provide:

• Warmth
• Your smell
• Your heartbeat
• Your voice
• Gentle movement
• A sense of closeness

A newborn may stop crying as soon as you pick them up.

That does not mean the baby is manipulating you.

It does not mean you have spoiled them.

If your baby struggles when put down, read Newborn Won't Sleep Unless Held.

Can I Spoil a Newborn by Responding to Crying?

No.

Young babies need responsive care.

You can hold, feed, cuddle, rock, and comfort your newborn.

CDC developmental guidance includes calming when spoken to or picked up as a normal early social response around 2 months.

Reason 4: Your Baby Is Tired

A tired baby may cry rather than quietly fall asleep.

Possible newborn sleep cues include:

• Yawning
• Looking away
• Becoming quieter
• Closing the eyes briefly
• Losing interest in interaction
• Increasing fussiness

Offer a calm opportunity to sleep.

Do not depend on an exact wake window timer.

Newborns vary too much for a one-minute-based rule to fit every baby.

Can a Newborn Become Overtired?

A very tired baby can become harder to settle.

But do not blame yourself because you missed an online sleep window.

Watch your baby's cues.

Keep the environment calm.

Offer feeding if hungry and comfort if needed.

Reason 5: Your Baby Is Overstimulated

Overstimulation can make a newborn fussy.

A busy day may include:

• Many visitors
• Bright lights
• Loud voices
• Television
• Being passed between many people
• Too much play when tired

If your baby seems overwhelmed, reduce stimulation.

Dim the lights.

Move to a quieter room.

Hold your baby close.

Speak softly.

Reason 6: Your Baby Is Too Warm or Too Cold

Temperature can affect comfort.

Possible signs of overheating include:

• Sweating
• A hot chest
• Flushed skin

A newborn does not need heavy wrapping for sleep.

Do not use loose blankets in the crib.

For safe sleep clothing and crib rules, read our Safe Sleep for Newborns Guide.

Reason 7: Feeding Is Uncomfortable

Some babies cry during feeding.

Possible reasons include:

• Difficulty latching
• Milk flowing very quickly
• Swallowing air
• Reflux
• Being too hungry before the feed starts

If crying happens repeatedly during feeds, ask your pediatrician, health visitor, or lactation professional to watch a feed.

A small adjustment in positioning or attachment may help.

Reason 8: Reflux May Be Causing Discomfort

Infant reflux is common.

Many babies spit up and remain happy.

Others appear uncomfortable around feeds.

You may notice:

• Spitting up
• Arching
• Coughing around feeds
• Fussiness after eating

Hold your baby upright while awake if that seems comfortable.

For sleep, place your baby flat on the back.

Do not raise the crib mattress or use a wedge.

Read our Newborn Reflux Guide.

Does Gas Cause Newborn Crying?

Parents often blame crying on gas.

Babies do swallow air and may feel better after burping.

However, gas is not the explanation for every crying period.

If your baby is awake, you can try:

• Gentle burping
• Holding upright
• Gentle leg movements

Do not place your newborn on the stomach for sleep because of gas.

For more help, see our Baby Gas Relief Guide.

Why Is My Newborn Fussy at Night?

Evening fussiness is common in young babies.

You may notice that your baby seems comfortable for much of the day but becomes harder to settle in the late afternoon or evening.

Possible reasons include:

• Cluster feeding
• Tiredness
• Too much stimulation
• Wanting more physical contact
• Normal increase in early infant crying

This evening period is sometimes called the witching hour.

It may last much longer than one hour.

What Is the Newborn Witching Hour?

The term witching hour describes a period when a young baby becomes unusually fussy during the late afternoon or evening.

It is not a disease.

It does not mean your baby is frightened.

It often happens during the same age when normal infant crying is increasing.

For many babies, evening crying improves as they move beyond the first few months.

Why Is My Newborn Crying All Night?

Newborn crying at night may feel constant because several normal needs happen close together.

Your baby may:

1. Wake hungry
2. Feed
3. Need a diaper change
4. Want to be held
5. Fall asleep briefly
6. Wake hungry again

Newborns also do not yet have a mature day and night rhythm.

Night waking is normal.

For sleep patterns, read our Newborn Sleep Schedule Guide.

How Can I Make Nighttime Calmer?

You cannot force a newborn to sleep all night.

You can make nighttime less stimulating.

Try:

• Lower lights
• Use a quiet voice
• Feed when hungry
• Keep diaper changes calm
• Avoid exciting play
• Use gentle cuddles
• Return baby to a safe sleep space

A simple routine may help create familiar cues.

See our Bedtime Routine for Newborns.

Why Is My Newborn Crying for No Reason?

There is usually a reason, even when you cannot identify it.

Your baby may be reacting to:

• Hunger
• Tiredness
• Closeness
• Temperature
• Normal developmental changes
• Too much stimulation
• A physical sensation you cannot see

Sometimes a healthy baby simply has a crying period that does not have an obvious trigger.

If your baby is otherwise well and returns to a calm state between crying periods, that can be reassuring.

What Is Colic?

Colic describes repeated long periods of crying in an otherwise healthy young baby.

Traditionally, colic has been described using the rule of three:

• More than 3 hours of crying a day
• More than 3 days a week
• For several weeks

Modern care focuses less on meeting an exact formula and more on the baby's health, growth, feeding, and pattern of crying.

Colic usually begins during early infancy and improves as babies get older.

It is not caused by poor parenting.

What Does Colic Crying Look Like?

A baby with colic may:

• Cry intensely
• Be difficult to console
• Clench the fists
• Pull the legs toward the body
• Become red in the face
• Cry more during the evening

The baby should otherwise appear healthy.

If your baby seems ill, do not assume the problem is colic.

Should I Change Formula Because My Baby Cries?

Do not repeatedly change formula without medical advice.

Crying alone does not prove a formula allergy or intolerance.

If your baby also has poor growth, blood in the stool, repeated vomiting, feeding trouble, or other symptoms, talk with your pediatrician.

Should a Breastfeeding Parent Remove Dairy for Colic?

Do not start a restrictive diet simply because your baby cries.

Most crying is not caused by food allergy.

If your healthcare provider suspects a cow's milk protein problem, they can help you decide whether a supervised diet change makes sense.

What Is the Best Way to Soothe a Crying Newborn?

There is no one method that works every time.

Try simple methods one at a time.

Soothing a crying baby may include:

• Feeding when hungry
• Holding your baby close
• Rocking gently
• Walking slowly
• Talking softly
• Singing or humming
• Reducing light and noise
• Checking the diaper
• Burping if needed
• A warm bath if your baby enjoys it

Some babies calm quickly.

Others need time.

For a full practical guide, read Best Ways to Soothe a Newborn.

Can Skin Contact Help?

Skin-to-skin contact while you are awake can be calming.

Your baby can hear your heartbeat and feel your warmth.

Stay awake and alert.

If you become sleepy, move your baby to the safe sleep space.

Can Rocking Help?

Yes.

Gentle movement can calm some babies.

You can rock your baby in your arms or sway slowly while standing.

Movement should always be gentle.

Never shake a baby.

Can White Noise Help?

Some babies respond to steady background sound.

White noise is optional.

If you use a sound machine:

• Keep it away from your baby's head
• Use a low, comfortable volume

White noise does not treat hunger, pain, reflux, or illness.

Can a Pacifier Help?

Some newborns find sucking calming.

You may offer a pacifier.

If your baby does not want it, do not force it.

If you are breastfeeding, discuss timing if feeding is not yet well established.

Can Swaddling Help a Fussy Newborn?

Some newborns find swaddling calming.

If you swaddle:

• Place your baby on the back
• Keep the face uncovered
• Allow the hips to move
• Do not wrap the chest too tightly
• Do not use a weighted swaddle
• Stop when your baby shows signs of trying to roll

Swaddling is optional.

What If Nothing Calms My Baby?

First, check your baby's basic needs again.

If your baby appears well but continues crying, it is okay to keep offering calm contact.

You do not have to find the perfect trick.

Sometimes your job is simply to stay close while the crying passes.

If the crying is new, extreme, persistent, or very different from normal, contact your healthcare provider.

When Is Crying Considered Inconsolable?

Inconsolable crying means your baby cannot be comforted in the usual ways.

This matters most when the crying:

• Starts suddenly
• Sounds very different
• Continues for a long time
• Comes with another symptom

A very young baby who cannot be consoled may need medical assessment.

Check for Hidden Sources of Pain

If crying is sudden and unusual, look carefully at your baby.

Check:

• Fingers
• Toes
• Diaper area
• Skin
• Clothing

A hair or thread can sometimes wrap tightly around a toe or finger.

Tight clothing or severe diaper rash can also hurt.

If you cannot identify the cause and your baby seems to be in pain, seek medical advice.

What Should I Do If the Crying Is Making Me Angry?

Crying can push an exhausted parent to the limit.

This is a safety issue.

If your baby is fed, changed, breathing normally, and safe, you can place your baby on the back in the empty crib or bassinet and take a short break.

Move to another room.

Calm yourself.

Call another adult for help if possible.

Then return when you feel more in control.

Can I Leave My Newborn Crying Safely While I Take a Break?

Yes, when you need a short safety break.

Place your baby:

• On the back
• In a safe crib or bassinet
• On a firm flat mattress
• With no blankets, pillows, or toys

A few minutes of crying in a safe crib is safer than an overwhelmed adult trying to continue holding the baby.

What Is the Safest Sleep Setup After Soothing?

When your baby is ready to sleep, follow safe sleep guidance.

Place your baby:

• On the back
• On a firm surface
• On a flat and level surface
• In a crib, bassinet, portable crib, or play yard made for infant sleep

Use only a fitted sheet.

Keep out:

• Loose blankets
• Pillows
• Stuffed toys
• Wedges
• Positioners
• Weighted sleep products

Our Safe Sleep for Newborns Guide explains every rule.

What If My Newborn Cries While Still Asleep?

This is a different situation.

Newborns can make brief cries, grunts, facial movements, and twitches during active sleep.

If your baby's eyes remain closed, breathing looks comfortable, colour is normal, and the baby settles again, you may simply be seeing normal active sleep.

Read our dedicated Newborn Crying in Sleep Guide.

When Should I Worry About Newborn Crying?

Most crying is not an emergency.

But newborns can become ill quickly.

Contact your baby's healthcare provider if:

• The cry is very different from normal
• Your baby cannot be consoled
• Your baby feeds much less than usual
• Your baby repeatedly refuses feeds
• Your baby is unusually sleepy
• Your baby is difficult to wake
• Wet diapers decrease clearly
• Your baby vomits repeatedly
• You think your baby is in pain
• Your baby's behaviour changes suddenly

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia notes that changes in feeding, activity, and ability to wake can be early signs of illness in a newborn.

What Temperature Is a Fever in a Newborn?

A rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C or higher in a baby 3 months old or younger needs immediate medical advice.

Do not wait until morning.

HealthyChildren.org states that babies 3 months or younger with this temperature should have prompt medical evaluation.

When Is Newborn Crying an Emergency?

Get emergency medical help if your newborn:

• Has severe trouble breathing
• Has blue or gray lips or skin
• Is unresponsive
• Is very floppy
• Has a concerning pause in breathing
• Has seizure-like movements
• Has repeated forceful vomiting and appears very unwell

If your instincts tell you something is seriously wrong, seek help.

A Simple Newborn Crying Checklist

What Parents Should Remember

Conclusion

Newborn crying is one of the hardest parts of the first months, especially when you cannot see an obvious reason.

Start simple.

Check hunger, diaper, temperature, tiredness, feeding comfort, and your baby's need for closeness.

Expect some evening fussiness. Respond with calm care. Try feeding, holding, rocking, quieter surroundings, and other gentle soothing methods.

You do not have to stop every cry instantly to be a good parent.

If crying is suddenly different or comes with fever, poor feeding, difficulty waking, breathing trouble, abnormal colour, repeated vomiting, or another worrying change, contact your baby's healthcare provider.

If you need more guidance about newborn health and safety, visit our Child Health and Safety Guide.

Medical References

These open and accessible sources were reviewed for this guide.

1. NHS.
   Soothing a Crying Baby
2. Mayo Clinic.
   Crying Baby: What to Do When Your Newborn Cries
3. American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org.
   How to Calm a Fussy Baby
4. American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org.
   Fever and Your Baby
5. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
   Behaviour Changes to Watch For in a Newborn

Related Parnthub Guides

• Complete Baby Care Guide
• Child Health and Safety Guide
• Best Ways to Soothe a Newborn
• Newborn Crying in Sleep
• Newborn Won't Sleep Unless Held
• Newborn Sleep Schedule
• Bedtime Routine for Newborns
• Safe Sleep for Newborns
• Newborn Hunger Cues
• Cluster Feeding
• Baby Gas Relief Guide
• Newborn Reflux Guide
• When to Call a Pediatrician

Frequently Asked Questions About Newborn Crying

Why does my newborn cry so much?

Newborns cry to communicate hunger, tiredness, discomfort, temperature, overstimulation, and the need for closeness. Crying also naturally increases during the first weeks in many babies.

How much newborn crying is normal?

There is a wide range. Mayo Clinic notes that newborns may typically cry around 1 to 4 hours during a day. The pattern usually becomes easier as babies move beyond the first few months.

Why is my newborn fussy at night?

Evening fussiness can happen because of cluster feeding, tiredness, overstimulation, normal developmental crying, and a stronger need for contact.

Why does my newborn cry for no reason at night?

The reason may not always be obvious. Hunger, tiredness, temperature, closeness, stimulation, feeding discomfort, and normal evening fussiness can all play a role.

What is the newborn witching hour?

The witching hour is a common name for a period of increased fussiness during the late afternoon or evening. It is common in early infancy and often improves as babies get older.

Why does my newborn cry all night?

Newborns wake often to feed and do not yet have mature day and night sleep rhythms. Feeding, diaper care, cluster feeding, and wanting contact can make nights feel very busy.

Does newborn crying peak at a certain age?

Crying often increases during the first weeks. NHS guidance says it tends to increase from around 2 weeks and usually begins to reduce around 3 months.

Does crying mean my baby has gas?

Not always. Babies may swallow air and sometimes feel better after burping, but gas is not the cause of every crying period.

How can I soothe a crying newborn?

Check hunger and diaper needs first. Then try holding, feeding when hungry, gentle rocking, singing, quieter surroundings, burping, or a warm bath if your baby enjoys it.

Can I spoil my newborn by holding them when they cry?

No. Young babies need responsive comfort. Holding, feeding, rocking, and cuddling your newborn do not spoil them.

Should I let my newborn cry if I am overwhelmed?

If you feel you may lose control, place your baby safely on the back in an empty crib or bassinet and take a short break. Get help from another adult if possible. Never shake a baby.

How do I know if newborn crying is colic?

Colic usually involves repeated long periods of intense crying in an otherwise healthy baby who feeds and grows normally. A healthcare provider can check your baby before assuming the crying is colic.

What fever is dangerous in a newborn?

A rectal temperature of 100.4°F or 38°C or higher in a baby 3 months old or younger needs immediate medical advice.

When should I call a doctor about newborn crying?

Call your healthcare provider if crying is very different from normal or comes with poor feeding, difficulty waking, fewer wet diapers, fever, repeated vomiting, pain, breathing changes, or a major behavior change.

When is newborn crying an emergency?

Get emergency medical help for severe breathing difficulty, blue or gray color, unresponsiveness, extreme limpness, concerning breathing pauses, or seizure like movements.