Babies cry. That’s common knowledge. But why is your newborn actually crying? As brand-new parents, it can be difficult to figure out the reason for each bout of crying. Eventually, you’ll learn to understand your baby’s cries. But until then, it involves a good bit of guessing. Fortunately, there are a number of well-established reasons why newborn babies cry. Read on for a more detailed explanation.
Crying is communicating
Unfortunately, your newborn baby can’t tell you what’s going on yet. One way to communicate anyway is by crying. This way they can let you know that something is wrong and that they need you. This may be due to various reasons. For example, because they are hungry, in pain or have a dirty diaper. If your baby is a little older, he or she may even cry because they are bored.
10 Common causes for your newborn baby’s tears
Of course, we don’t know exactly for which specific reason your baby is crying. However, there are many common causes for your baby’s tears.
- Abdominal cramps. Many newborn babies suffer from abdominal cramps and that can certainly be one reason for your baby to cry. Your baby may even be inconsolable! Tell-tale signs are often that your baby stretches his or her legs a lot and clenches his or her fists.
- Hunger. A really good reason for your newborn baby to cry! Especially if, for example, you are breastfeeding on demand: try to latch your baby to your breast to see if he or she is hungry.
- A dirty diaper. A dirty diaper is uncomfortable and can therefore also be a reason to cry. Always check if the diaper is full when your baby is crying, maybe you’re on to a quick fix!
- Temperature. Too hot or too cold? Neither is nice! This may be a reason your baby feels compelled to cry. Check your baby’s hands or feet to see whether he or she is too cold or feel your baby’s neck if you think your child may be too hot. A layer of clothing more or less can make a huge difference!
- A quick burp… Many newborn babies simply have to burp after each feeding. If your baby cannot pass their burps properly, this may cause them stomach cramps. And that in turn triggers the inevitable flow of tears.
- Fatigue. When babies are tired, they often start crying. So, it’s quite possible that your baby simply needs a bit of extra sleep!
- Overstimulation. The opposite may also be true: if your baby is tired but cannot fall asleep because he or she is crying non-stop. If your baby has experienced too much stimulation over the course of a day, you may find that he or she cannot fall asleep and cries a lot. Take your time, comfort your child and make sure he or she calms down again. Without too many stimuli, of course.
- Illness or health complaints. If your baby is sick, there is also a good chance that he or she will cry. From colds to fevers, you will soon be able to understand the cause of crying. Are you unsure whether everything is going well with your child? Then don’t hesitate to contact your family doctor.
- Teething. Growing teeth can be quite painful! And can cause many tears to flow. Fortunately, you can do a lot to relieve your little one’s pain.
- Attention! Your baby needs affection and attention. Skin-on-skin contact and hearing your heartbeat can calm your baby down. Have you already checked whether your baby is hungry, suffers from cramps or has a dirty diaper? And is he or she still crying? Time for a delightful, enjoyable cuddling session.
My newly born baby is crying a lot - what can I do about it?
It’s quite normal for your newborn baby to cry. Babies cry the most when they are 6 to 8 weeks old. The crying often decreases afterwards. Some babies cry more than others, and that’s quite normal, too. In addition to all the above reasons, there are of course many more reasons for your baby to cry. Your baby may be startled by an unexpected event (such as a honking car, curtains opening, or a barking dog). Your baby will naturally get used to these stimuli over time and will therefore be less likely to cry. Your baby wants to feel safe, so pay attention and make your baby feel comfortable and safe.
Still unsure why your baby is crying? Or do you need additional tips? Then download our app! It features a forum where you ask other brand-new parents for tips and share your experiences with them.
Stress through all the tears
Having a newborn baby that cries a lot can cause endless stress for parents. You will sleep less and be more irritable. If you find that the stress is getting too much, take it seriously. Ask for help and support from friends or family, for example. Likewise, your family doctor or the childcare clinic are always ready to help you cope.
