Baby Crying | Unsettled & Crying Babies | Types of Newborn Cry

Few things worry parents more than baby crying, especially in the early months of life.

Many caregivers find themselves asking:

• Why is my baby crying so much?
• Is my newborn crying normal?
• How do I soothe crying babies?
• When should I ask for help?

The truth is that baby crying is a normal part of early development. Infants cry because it is their main way to communicate needs.

Understanding types of newborn cry, common causes of crying babies, and ways to soothe your baby can help parents feel calmer and more confident when caring for their baby.

Baby Crying – Why Do Babies Cry?

During the first months of life, infants cry to communicate basic needs.

Common reasons for baby crying include:

• Hunger or breastfeeding needs
• Tiredness and sleep changes
• Colic or tummy discomfort
• The period of purple crying
• Needing comfort from a caregiver
• Feeling overstimulated
• Needing a nappy change

Sometimes a baby who cries a lot is simply adjusting to life outside the womb.

For new parents, it can feel overwhelming, but crying is a normal part of caring for your baby.

 

Types of Baby Crying

Different cries can signal different needs.

Understanding the types of newborn cry can help caregivers respond quickly and soothe crying babies more easily.

 

Baby Crying From Hunger

Hunger is one of the most common reasons for infant crying.

Signs your baby may cry from hunger include:

• sucking on hands
• rooting movements
• turning their head looking for the breast
• becoming more unsettled

When a baby needs to breastfeed, responding early may prevent excessive crying.

 

Baby Crying From Tiredness

Many crying babies are simply overtired.

Signs of tiredness include:

• rubbing eyes
• staring into space
• fussiness
• difficulty settling

Creating calm routines can help babies relax and fall asleep more easily.

 

Baby Crying From Colic

Some babies experience colic, which can cause excessive crying.

Colic may include:

• crying for long periods
• pulling legs toward the tummy
• becoming red in the face
• difficulty settling

Colic usually peaks around 6–8 weeks of age and improves over time.

 

The Period of Purple Crying

The period of purple crying describes a developmental stage where babies cry more than usual.

Purple crying often happens during the first months of life and can include:

• intense crying episodes
• crying that starts suddenly
• crying that happens in the evening

Although it can feel distressing, purple crying is a normal stage of infant development.

Knowing this can give caregivers reassurance during difficult evenings.

 

Baby Crying and How to Soothe Your Baby

Parents often ask how to calm your baby when crying becomes overwhelming.

Some simple ways to soothe your baby include:

• hold your baby close
• Use a gentle baby carrier
• rock your baby slowly
• Use calming white noise
• Breastfeed or offer comfort feeds
• Place your baby in a calm environment, this help your baby settle better

Some parents also find that gentle music helps babies relax and settle.

Platforms like Genie Lullaby provide personalised baby sleep music designed to calm babies and support bedtime routines.

 

Baby Crying and Caregiver Reassurance

When a baby is crying a lot, caregivers may feel worried or unsure.

It is important to remember that crying babies are common, especially during the newborn stage.

Helpful steps include:

• Taking short breaks if you feel overwhelmed
• Asking a trusted caregiver for support
• Speaking with a maternal child health nurse or pediatrics professional

Reliable parenting guidance and tools are available on Parenting Hub, where parents can access resources to help understand baby behaviour and development.

 

Baby Crying and Safety

When babies cry frequently, caregivers may feel stressed or exhausted.

It is very important to remember that shaken baby syndrome can occur when frustration becomes overwhelming.

If your baby will not settle:

• Place your baby safely in the cot
• Step away for a few minutes
• Take deep breaths
• Ask for help if needed

Seeking reassurance and support is always the safest choice.

 

When Baby Crying Might Need Medical Advice

Although normal crying is common, sometimes medical advice may help.

Consider speaking with a health professional if:

• Your baby seems in distress
• Crying becomes sudden and intense
• Your baby has feeding difficulties
• Your baby appears unwell

Maternal child health nurses, pediatricians, and other healthcare professionals can help assess your baby’s needs.

Trusted guidance is also available through parenting platforms such as Parenting Genie, where parents can find expert information and parenting tools.

 

Parents can also use the Baby Cry Decoder tool on Parenting Hub to better understand different crying patterns and possible causes. By analysing sound patterns and common baby cues, the tool helps caregivers quickly identify whether their baby may be hungry, tired, uncomfortable, or simply needing comfort.

 

 

Understanding Baby Crying Helps Parents Feel More Confident

Learning about a child's crying helps caregivers understand their baby's needs more clearly.

Crying babies may simply need:

• comfort
• feeding
• sleep
• reassurance

As babies grow, crying gradually decreases and communication becomes easier.

With the right support, knowledge, and gentle soothing strategies, parents can navigate the early months with greater confidence.

Use the Baby Cry Decoder tool on Parenting Hub to better understand different crying patterns and possible causes.

Related reading: understand what your baby's cries mean

Why Your Baby May Cry More During the Day

Why Your Baby May Cry More During the Day

Daytime crying is often your baby’s way of communicating rather than a sign that anything is wrong. During the day, babies experience feeds, nappy changes, noise, light, movement and interactions. They can become hungry, tired or overwhelmed quickly, particularly in the early months.

Common daytime triggers

• Hunger: Crying is a late hunger cue. Rooting, bringing hands to the mouth or becoming restless may appear first. Offer the breast or a feed responsively rather than waiting for a schedule.
• Tiredness: Young babies often need frequent sleep. If your baby has been awake for a while, looks away, becomes jerky or starts fussing, reduce stimulation and help them settle.
• Overstimulation: Bright light, noise, visitors, play and being passed between people can become too much. Move to a quieter space, dim the light and hold your baby close.
• Physical discomfort: Check for a wet or soiled nappy, clothing that is too warm or tight, wind, reflux symptoms, hair wrapped around a toe or finger, or an uncomfortable position.
• Need for connection: Babies may cry because they want closeness, movement or reassurance. Holding, feeding, skin-to-skin contact, gentle rocking or using a correctly fitted carrier are responsive ways to help.

Try meeting one need at a time and notice what happens. It is normal if a soothing method does not work immediately, and comforting your baby does not create bad habits.

When to seek help

Contact your maternal child health nurse, midwife or GP if crying is persistent, is becoming difficult to manage, or comes with feeding problems, vomiting, poor weight gain, fewer wet nappies or a change in your baby’s usual behaviour. Seek urgent medical advice for a baby under three months with a temperature of 38°C or higher. Call emergency services on 000 if your baby is struggling to breathe, is blue, very floppy, unusually drowsy, having a seizure or cannot be woken.