Why do Babies Cry? Find Out Now!

You know that moment when your baby suddenly starts crying and you’ve tried everything like feeding, changing, rocking, but nothing works? You stop and ask yourself, Why do babies cry? It’s a question every parent asks, especially in those early weeks when everything feels new and confusing.

The truth is, babies cry because it's the only way they can talk to us. They might be hungry, tired, uncomfortable, or just want to be held. And yes, sometimes it feels like they cry for no reason at all. 

But don’t worry. You’re not alone. Let’s go through the real reasons behind the crying, how to tell the difference between each type of cry, and what you can do to help.

Why Do Babies Cry? 11 Common Reasons

Crying is a baby’s main way of communicating, especially when they're too young to talk or even point. In fact, newborns can cry up to 2 to 3 hours a day, and it’s totally normal. Some babies cry more, some less, but all of them cry.

1. Hunger

So when you ask, “Why is my baby crying?" – hunger is the number one reason babies cry. When babies are hungry, they get upset fast. The crying usually starts softly but gets louder if you wait too long.

• What to look for: You might see your baby turning their head like they’re looking for food. They might suck on their hand or make smacking sounds with their lips.

• What to do: Try feeding your baby right away. If it is a hunger cry, feeding will calm them quickly. Hunger cries can sound like “neh” — short and steady.

2. Dirty or Wet Diaper

A full or messy diaper can feel very uncomfortable for your baby. It can even hurt if it stays too long and causes a rash.

• What to look for: Your baby might wriggle, seem annoyed, or just cry for no clear reason.

• What to do: Check the diaper and change it if it’s wet or dirty. It helps to keep a well-packed diaper bag ready, so you don’t have to look around for wipes or nappies when your baby’s crying.

So, when your baby cries because of a dirty diaper, the Swaddle Tote diaper bag helps a lot here. A wet or messy diaper can make your baby feel really uncomfortable or even hurt their skin. 

But with this bag, all your diapers, wipes, and clean clothes are right there, easy to find. That way, you can change your baby quickly and stop the crying faster.

3. Tiredness

Babies who are tired can’t always fall asleep easily. When they’re too tired, they cry instead of sleeping.

• What to look for: You’ll see your baby rubbing their eyes, yawning, or turning their head away from lights or faces.

• What to do: Try wrapping them in a blanket, holding them gently, or putting them in their crib in a quiet, dark room. A short nap might be all they need.

4. Need to Burp

Babies often swallow air when feeding. This trapped air can cause discomfort and make them cry.

• What to look for: Crying right after feeding, arching their back, or looking uncomfortable.

• What to do: Hold them up and gently pat their back. You can try burping them over your shoulder, sitting up on your lap, or lying across your knees on their tummy.

5. Gas or Tummy Trouble

Gas can make a baby’s belly hurt. They don’t know how to get the gas out on their own.

• What to look for: Pulling their legs up to their chest, making grunting sounds, or straining.

• What to do: Move their legs in a bicycle motion or lay them on your lap with their tummy facing down. Holding them like this can help release the gas.

6. Teething

When a tooth is coming in, the gums can feel sore or itchy. It can be really uncomfortable for your baby.

• What to look for: Drooling a lot, chewing on their hands or toys, red cheeks.

• What to do: Rub their gums gently with your finger or give them a clean teething toy to chew on. Cold (not frozen) teething rings work well. Just avoid teething necklaces. They are not safe.

7. Too Hot or Too Cold

Babies cannot control their body temperature like adults. If they are too warm or too cold, they might cry.

• What to look for: Sweaty head or back, cold hands or feet, and general fussiness.

• What to do: Check their clothes and the room temperature. Add a layer if they feel cold or remove one if they feel hot.

8. Overstimulation

Too much sound, light, or movement can stress a baby out. Even something simple like visiting a busy store can be too much for them.

• What to look for: Looking away from people, getting fussy after being somewhere noisy or bright.

• What to do: Take them to a calm, quiet place. Hold them gently and let them rest. Turning off lights or soft humming can help calm them.

9. Need for Attention or Comfort

Sometimes babies just want to be close to you. They might not be hungry or wet; they just need love.

• What to look for: They calm down when you hold or talk to them.

• What to do: Pick them up, cuddle them, talk in a soft voice, or do skin-to-skin contact. Your presence alone can make them feel safe.

10. Illness or Pain

If your baby’s cry sounds very different or they won’t stop crying no matter what you do, they could be sick.

• What to look for: High-pitched crying, not eating, vomiting, fever, or just acting very differently.

• What to do: Trust your gut. If something feels wrong, call your doctor or go in to get them checked. It’s always better to be safe.

11. Colic

Colic means crying a lot for no clear reason. It usually happens in the evening and can go on for hours.

• What to look for: Crying more than 3 hours a day, at least 3 days a week, for more than 3 weeks.

• What to do: Try holding your baby upright, rocking gently, using white noise, or going for a walk. Colic is hard, but it usually goes away by the time your baby is 3 to 4 months old.

Besides, to follow your baby’s growth month by month, take a look at the baby milestones guide for the first year.

Type of Baby Cry: Can You Tell Them Apart?

Yes, believe it or not, the type of baby cry can tell you a lot. Here’s how to decode some of them:

What is Purple Crying?

Purple Crying is a normal phase where babies cry a lot, even when nothing is wrong. It’s not about the baby turning purple. PURPLE is just a way to explain the signs:

• Peak of Crying – Crying gets worse around 6 to 8 weeks.

• Unexpected – It starts and stops suddenly.

• Resists Soothing – Nothing seems to calm the baby.

• Pain-like Face – Baby looks like they’re in pain, but they’re not.

• Long-lasting – Crying can go on for hours.

• Evening – It happens more in the late day.

This is normal. It usually stops by 3 to 4 months. You didn’t cause it, and it will pass.

Baby Crying for No Reason? Not Always

So, do babies cry for no reason? It may feel like your baby is crying for no reason. But really, there’s always some kind of reason. It just might not be obvious. Sometimes, it’s discomfort from something tiny, like:

• A hair wrapped around their toe (yes, that happens!)

• A clothing tag scratching their back

• A loud sound that startled them earlier.

Try gently undressing your baby and inspecting their whole body, especially fingers, toes, and skin folds.

When to Worry About Infant Crying or Infant Screaming

If your infant is screaming or the cry sounds different from usual, don’t ignore it. Call your pediatrician immediately if your baby:

• Has a fever (100.4°F / 38°C or higher)

• Refuses to feed for several hours

• Seems very sleepy or hard to wake

• Has a weak or very high-pitched cry

• Has vomiting, rash, or trouble breathing.

Also, if you ever feel overwhelmed or frustrated, it’s OK to put your baby in a safe place like their crib, step away for a few minutes, and take deep breaths. Never shake a baby.

How to Calm a Crying Baby: Try the Five S’s

Dr. Harvey Karp’s “Five S’s” are magic for soothing crying:

• Swaddle – Wrap your baby snug in a soft blanket. It makes them feel safe.

• Side or Stomach Hold – Hold baby on their side or tummy (only while holding, not for sleep).

• Shush – Make a strong “shhh” sound near their ear. It sounds like the womb.

• Swing – Gently rock or bounce your baby. Movement helps calm them.

• Suck – Let baby suck on a pacifier, finger, or bottle. Sucking soothes them.

Try one or mix a few. They really help!

Wrapping Up

In short, while it might feel like your baby is just crying for no reason, there’s always something behind it, even if it’s just a need to feel safe and close to you. So when you’re asking, "Why do babies cry so much, especially newborns?" remember: it’s a phase; it will pass, and it’s how they learn to connect with the world.

Want to know when babies usually start crawling? Check out the complete guide for parents.