Soothing a crying newborn

Why newborns cry

Crying is a newborn's main way of communicating. Common reasons include hunger, a dirty diaper, tiredness, wanting to be held, feeling too hot or too cold, or overstimulation. Some crying without an obvious cause is normal, and it often peaks at around six weeks of age before easing.

Soothing techniques

Approaches that help many babies include feeding if it has been a while, holding skin-to-skin, gentle rocking or swaying, swaddling, offering a clean finger or pacifier to suck, white noise or soft shushing, a walk in a carrier or stroller, and dimming lights and sound to reduce stimulation. Babies differ, so it can take trial and error to find what works.

Caring for the caregiver

Constant crying is exhausting. If you feel overwhelmed, it is safe to place the baby on their back in a crib and take a short break in another room to calm down. Never shake a baby — shaking can cause serious injury. Ask a partner, friend, or family member to take over when you need rest.

When to check with a professional

Contact a healthcare provider if a baby's cry sounds unusual (very high-pitched or weak), if crying is accompanied by fever, poor feeding, vomiting, or unusual sleepiness, or if the crying is inconsolable and you are worried. Persistent, hard-to-soothe crying is also worth discussing with your pediatrician to rule out causes and get support.