Why is my baby crying?

Your new-born baby has a tiny wee tummy – so even if you feel like you’ve just fed them, your baby may be crying because they’re hungry again. Feeling hungry is the number one reason your newborn will cry, especially if they’re only a few days or weeks old.

Your baby will often give you signs that they want to be fed – like opening their mouth, or stretching. You can find out more on the signs your baby wants to be fed here.

Just like us, babies get grumpy when they’re tired. And newborns need a lot of sleep – often more than 16 hours per day.

As you get to know your baby, you’ll start learning the signs that your wee one is getting tired and that it’s time to pop them down to sleep. They might start doing things like rubbing their eyes, pulling on their ears, or getting fussy.

It can also be a good idea for you to try to have naps, or a rest, when they go down – if you can.

Your baby will usually let you know if their nappy is wet or dirty – so if they're crying, it’s a good idea to check their nappy!

One of the loveliest parts of being a new parent is snuggling with your baby – your baby loves it too. They love to feel your heartbeat against them, the warmth of your body, and even your smell.

To soothe them, you can move about gently, sway or even dance. If you want to move around, your Baby Box sling is perfect as it lets your little one snuggle into you while you’re on the go.

If your wee one has just been fed and has had a big cry, it may be because they have wind stuck in their tummy. Gently pat or rub them on the back to burp them.

Babies usually need one more layer than adults to feel comfy. If you’re just at home, you usually don’t need to add much more than that.

To check if your wee one is crying because they’re too hot or too cold, feel their tummy or the back of their necks.

In those first few days, your house will often be full of family and friends who want to come meet your little pride and joy.

When there’s a little too much going on, your baby can get overwhelmed and they may get upset. Sometimes all that attention is just a little too much and you may need to take some special time out together.

Try taking them to a room for a cuddle, or get some fresh air by going for a short walk with the pram or buggy.

Sometimes when your baby is crying a lot, it can be a good idea just to get a change of scene – both for you and for baby.

Try going for a walk together with the pram or buggy, or going for a drive. Having something new to look at will distract your baby and calm them down. They might even pop off to sleep.

If you can’t get outside, just walking around indoors while rocking them gently may work too.

If your baby is feeling unwell, they may tell you about it by crying. Their crying may sound higher-pitched or urgent – or you may just have a gut-feeling that something is wrong.

If your baby keeps crying and you’re not sure why, check their temperature with the digital thermometer from your Baby Box. If it’s 38 degrees or higher, call your GP, NHS 111 or contact your GP out-of-hours service – there will be a phone number on your GP's answerphone.

Even if your baby’s temperature isn’t high, you’re the expert on your baby. If you feel like something’s not right, contact your GP, midwife or health visitor.

1. Taking a bath together can help soothe your little one. It also means you have time to relax and get clean for the day – win win!
2. If taking a bath together isn’t possible right now, some skin-to-skin cuddling could still really help.
3. Sucking can be soothing for babies. Let your baby suck on a clean knuckle, or if you’re breastfeeding, give your baby your nipple to suck on to calm them down.
4. Try humming or singing to your wee one – a repeating, constant, soothing sound should help them to calm down.
5. Talking calmly to your baby while stroking their back gently and rhythmically may also do the trick.