Why Is My Baby Crying? Understanding Different Baby Cries
It is normal for a baby to cry. Babies can't talk, so every cry has a purpose. In the early stages, a baby's cries can be challenging for first-time and experienced moms. It is hard to understand what your baby is trying to communicate.
Is the baby in pain? Could they be hungry? Do they need a cuddle? Are they tired? Are they breathing okay? What should I do? So many questions could be running through your mind. But don't worry - this guide is for you
We'll take you through the different types of baby cries, how to interpret baby cry sounds, how to respond, and soothing techniques to calm your baby. Every baby is different. With time and observation, it gets easier to understand what your baby is trying to communicate to you through crying.
Why Do Babies Cry?
Crying is the primary way a baby can communicate, and it helps with emotional and physical development.
Why do babies cry when born? Most mothers get emotional when they hear their baby's first cry. Babies crying after birth marks the start of a new milestone. It means that they can breathe independently outside the mother's womb.
When they are born, they cry to expel the fluid blocking the airway and open their lungs to take in oxygen. A baby must cry when born to ensure their lungs transition to breathing independently.
Crying also builds an emotional connection between the parent and the baby. When you respond lovingly to soothe the baby and be there for them, it builds trust, and the baby feels safe around you.
As babies grow, you'll notice a change in the crying sounds. Their cries become more purposeful, and you can become confident in interpreting each cry.
| Types of Baby Cries | |
|---|---|
| Hunger | Rhythmic and repetitive |
| Sleepy | Low-pitched and slow |
| Discomfort | Whiny and fussy |
| Colic | Long and loud |
| Pain | High-pitched, sudden, and intense |
| Attention | Starts small and quickly stops |
Different Types of Baby Cries. What Do They Mean?
The different baby cries signal that something serious needs intervention. Sometimes, the baby may make crying sounds and soothe themselves. According to Dunstan Baby Language, there are five baby crying sounds you can pay attention to in the first months.
Let's have a quick overview of the types of baby cries and what they mean:
1. Hunger cries - "Neh"
"Neh" baby cry sound is produced when the baby's tongue touches the mouth roof. The sucking reflex is triggered. When a baby is hungry, the cry is repetitive, low-pitched, and rhythmic. If not attended to, the cry gets louder.
You will notice these signs when the baby is hungry:
- They put their hands in their mouth
- lip-smacking
- Turning their head towards the breast or bottle
2. Sleepy cries - "Owh"
Babies also get tired. Babies get fussy when ready to sleep. It starts as an "Owh" baby crying sound. The baby could be awake for a long time, overstimulated, and unable to settle in. Rock or swaddle the baby to sleep.
A baby will signal you that they are tired when they:
- Rub their eyes
- Yawn
- Touching their face
- Turn their head away
3. Discomfort cries - "Heh"
A baby makes a "Heh" crying sound when in discomfort. Several reasons could contribute to this, like having a wet diaper. The baby could also be hot or cold.
To help a baby in discomfort:
- Check their diapers. Change the baby's diaper frequently if it's wet or dirty
- Adjust baby clothing and ensure it's not too tight
- Check the room temperature
- Change the baby's position
4. Colic cries
Why won't my baby stop crying? Why does my baby cry for no reason? Is the crying normal? A baby's long and high-pitched cries could be due to colic. Colic cries are intense to parents and can be stressful.
It's difficult to calm and soothe the baby. A colic cry is a prolonged and frequent cry for more than 3 hours a day, three days a week, for at least one week.
Colic cries may start when the baby is a newborn and could go on for about six months. It happens to healthy babies, and the reassurance is that it is temporary.
While the main cause of colic is unknown, it can be triggered by:
- Digestive discomfort
- Gas or Acid Reflux
- A baby struggling to digest breast milk or formula
- Overstimulation
- Immature digestive systems
- Underfeeding or overfeeding
A solution to soothe and control colic cries in babies is to use anti-colic feeding bottles. They reduce the amount of air the baby swallows during feeding. As a result, it reduces gas and discomfort in the baby's tummy. Examples of anti-colic bottles are Squeezy Silicone Anti-colic bottles and Self-Sterilizing Anti-Colic bottles by Dr. Talbot's.
Other solutions are:
- Holding the baby as upright as possible during feeding
- Move the baby's legs in a bicycle motion for intestinal flow and stomach massage.
- Take a walk, drive, or stroll to soothe the baby.
- Make changes to your diet for breastfeeding moms, or change the formula brands.
- Feed the baby smaller portions but often. Avoid underfeeding or overfeeding the baby.
5. Pain cries
A baby starts with "Eaih" crying sounds when they have gas. The cry is an intense and high-pitched outburst. They may signal it by pushing out their legs.
How to calm a baby in pain:
- Massage the baby's belly gently while applying gentle pressure to release gas.
- Cycle the baby's legs and push them to the chest to release the gas.
- Babies swallow air when feeding. Burp the baby after feeding. When the baby needs to burp, they start with an "Eh" crying sound. Make sure you have a burp cloth in case of spitting.
- Rush the baby for medical attention if they are vomiting, have diarrhea, an ear infection, fever, etc.
6. Attention cries
A baby gets fussy and whiny when they're bored or require attention. This type of crying starts and then stops quickly. When you pick up the baby, the crying stops.
Here's what you should do:
- Engage the baby with toys, read books to the baby, or sing songs
- spend time with the baby, engage them in an activity, or cuddle them
Why Do Babies Cry in Their Sleep?
A baby can cry during light sleep. It can be troubling to the parents in the first few days. If the baby is not fully awake, they can go back to sleep without you comforting them.
Remember, babies have shorter sleep cycles and cry when transitioning between sleep cycles. When this happens, it's normal and usually needs no intervention. However, if the crying is persistent, check what the issue could be.
Other reasons for a baby crying in sleep are:
- The baby may be tired, which could lead to difficulty staying asleep.
- Discomfort from a wet diaper, teething, gas, or hunger.
- As part of the baby's brain development, they could be dreaming. You can hear baby crying sounds as they sleep.
How to Get a Baby to Stop Crying
Not all baby cries will require intervention. A baby may cry briefly during sleep and soothe themselves back to sleep. The cry is often short. Otherwise, the baby requires attention if the cry is prolonged and intense.
| Suggested Ways To Soothe A Crying Baby | |
|---|---|
| Swaddle the baby | It gives the baby a sense of security. Wrap the baby in a blanket with their arms by their side, but ensure it's not too tight. |
| Check the baby's basic needs | If the baby is hungry, feed and burp them. Change a wet diaper, relieve gas, and check the room temperature. |
| Give Pacifiers | Pacifiers comfort a baby. Ensure it's clean and has the right nipple size for your baby. |
| Use Anti-colic bottles | If you have a colicky baby, try using anti-colic bottles to reduce the air a baby swallows during feeding. |
| Use soothing sounds | You can use white noise, soft music, or talk to the baby, as your voice can calm a crying baby. |
| Rocking | Gently rock the baby. You can use a rocking chair or gently sway your baby back and forth. It soothes the baby and helps them relax and fall asleep. |
| Stay calm | Do not panic when your baby cries. Take a deep breath to stay calm. Babies can pick up your emotions. When you are overwhelmed, give yourself a break and ask your partner or caregiver for help. |
| Try a warm bath or skin-to-skin contact | A warm bath is refreshing. Skin-to-skin contact reassures the baby and makes them calm. |
Why Won't My Baby Stop Crying?
A baby will cry as a primary way of communicating. As mentioned earlier, colic is one of the reasons why a baby won't stop crying. It's a stressful and challenging moment for a parent.
Sometimes, you may soothe the baby, but they won't stop crying. But it may not be obvious why the baby is crying.
| When to worry | |
|---|---|
| High-pitched baby cry sounds lasting for hours | It could signal pain or illness. Call your pediatrician for a medical diagnosis. |
| Signs of illness | Signals to check - breathing difficulties, baby not feeding well, vomiting, diarrhea, rashes, or fever. |
| Colic cries | The baby cries for hours at a time regularly. The cries happen almost at the same time every day and are loud and inconsolable. |
Coping strategies for persistent baby Cries
A consolation for persistent cries in babies is that it's temporary. As babies grow, it often changes.
Coping strategies for constant crying are:
- Take a break - ask your partner, parent, or caregiver for assistance.
- Have a soothing routine - use cuddling, warm bath, swaddling, or music sounds. Create a routine that works for your baby.
- Talk to a pediatrician, as it could be a medical concern. A pediatrician will diagnose the baby’s pain, recommend a specialist, suggest a soothing plan for your baby, and rule out a medical issue.
- Talk about it - if you're a first-time mom, consider joining a group with other moms. You can also reach out to your parents for support.
- Trust yourself - you're doing your best. There may be moments of doubt, but if you're doing your best, trust your instincts, stay calm, and ask for help. Being there, showing love, and giving attention to your baby could be all they need.
Final Verdict
A baby cries for the first time after they are born. It's the primary way they can communicate. When you hear your baby cry, listen to the crying sound and apply the soothing methods that work for your baby. Consult your pediatrician when your baby won't stop crying or has an unusual cry.
It's important to understand the types of baby cries. In most cases, the cries require intervention. Sometimes, the baby might soothe themselves. It does not mean you do not understand your baby.
FAQs
What are the different types of baby cries?
Babies make different crying sounds to communicate. The cries could be due to hunger, discomfort, sleep, pain, attention, or colic.
Why does my baby cry for no reason?
It's not common for a baby to cry for no reason. Check to see if the baby is hungry, overstimulated, or in a developmental phase that makes the baby uncomfortable.
How can I calm my crying baby?
There are several ways of calming a baby, like swaddling, rocking, soothing motions/sounds, sucking pacifiers, massages, and holding the baby.
Why does my baby cry in their sleep?
Babies could be in active sleep, transitioning between sleep cycles, dreaming, experiencing discomfort, suffering from colic, or needing attention.
When should I be worried about my baby crying?
While crying is normal, you should be worried when a baby refuses to feed, lets out a high-pitched cry for about three hours, or has a fever.
