Why Do Babies Cry So Much?

Imagine you are speeding down the hill on your brand-new skateboard. Everything is going well until you try to navigate the curve at the bottom. Suddenly, you lose your balance and fall to the ground while your skateboard flies off into the distance.

The pain from your scraped knee sends a fiery sensation throughout your leg. Despite your efforts to hold them back, tears start streaming down your face. Your best friend, who was following behind you, skates up and tries to distract you by teasing, “What’s wrong, you crybaby?”

The teasing works, and soon you are back on your skateboard after cleaning your skinned knee and applying a bandage. Later that day, you reflect on the aftermath of your accident and your friend’s teasing. Were you really being a crybaby?

Not at all! Injuries are painful, and it is natural to cry in such situations. However, the term “crybaby” is often associated with the constant crying of young infants. This makes you wonder…why do babies cry so much?

It is simply a part of life. Babies cry. Babies cry a lot. All babies cry, although some may cry more than others. They start crying as soon as they are born and it can feel like they don’t stop until a couple of years later!

A baby’s cry is their main way of communicating from the moment they are born. Have you ever tried having a conversation with a baby? Of course not! Babies cannot talk and it will be a while before they learn to speak.

Despite their inability to speak, babies still have needs. They need food. They need sleep. They need love and attention. They feel pain. They can experience fear. So, how are babies supposed to communicate their needs and feelings to you? They cry!

New parents often struggle to understand a baby’s cries at first. However, over time, parents learn that babies cry in different ways for different reasons. Experienced parents become skilled at distinguishing between a cry for hunger and a cry for a diaper change.

Babies may also cry for various other reasons. They might be overly tired. Sometimes, they just want to be held close. Other times, they may be experiencing discomfort from an upset stomach or need to burp. Or maybe they are trying to convey a different message altogether, like “I’m too hot in this blanket” or “I’m bored.”

Excessive crying in babies may be a sign of colic. Doctors are unsure about the exact cause of colic, but they define it as intense and inconsolable crying for more than three hours a day, three days a week, for over three weeks in an otherwise healthy baby.

Colic can start as early as a few weeks after birth. Although treatments for colic may not always be effective, the condition usually improves significantly within three months. However, those months can be extremely challenging for parents. Colicky babies are difficult to comfort. A visit to the doctor can provide reassurance that the baby is healthy, and the doctor can also suggest measures to help parents provide as much comfort as possible to their crying infants.

Give It a Try

Take a tissue and continue through the following activities with a friend or family member while shedding tears:

• Did you shed a lot of tears as an infant? We bet you don’t remember, but your parents probably do! Take some time to sit down with adult friends and family members who recall your earliest days on Earth. What kind of baby were you? When did you first start sleeping through the night? Did you ever experience colic? Why were you inclined to cry most of the time? Enjoy reminiscing about the past!
• If you have a genuine interest in learning more about crying babies, offer your time as a volunteer at a local school or childcare facility. You could also offer to babysit the little ones at church on a Sunday. If you spend some time around babies, the tears will inevitably start to flow. When they do, observe the circumstances surrounding the crying. What is the baby trying to communicate? How can you meet the baby’s needs and stop the crying?
• If you have ever babysat or have a very young sibling, you know that babies cry… a lot. Learning how to calm a crying baby can contribute to a quieter, more peaceful household. To learn some tips and strategies, go online and read through 23 Ways To Soothe a Fussy Newborn. Did any of the tips surprise you? Share what you learn with a friend or family member.