Infant crying is normal

Infant crying is normal and it will stop.
Babies start to cry more frequently from around 2 weeks of age. The crying may get more frequent and last longer. After 8 weeks of age babies start to cry less each week.

Babies cry for many reasons. They are hardwired to cry whenever they need a parent to help them. This is because their brains have yet to develop the circuits that allow for self-control or understanding. Crying is meant to be upsetting for a parent. Crying is Nature’s way of making sure they pay attention quickly.

A cry might signal many things, discomfort and startle are common examples. Sometimes, babies cry for no reason at all and sometimes they cry and just cannot be settled. This may be upsetting for both baby and parent, but it causes no harm and will eventually stop.

After about 5 months the experts say that crying becomes more ‘purposeful’. That means after 5 months of age, your baby is more likely to be crying for a reason.

If there is a reason for your baby to cry or not, it can be upsetting and frustrating. The crying can really get to you. It can sound worse when you are already under pressure and stress for other reasons. This is all normal. These feelings are sometimes hard to get over. If you are finding it hard to get over the feelings, it is normal to get support. It is a positive thing to do for yourself and for your baby.

It is normal for babies to cry more from about 2 weeks. However, it is still important to check a few basic needs. Check they aren’t poorly. Try some comforting methods (see C is for Comforting for more ideas about how to soothe your baby). Babies that are born prematurely start to cry more about 2 weeks after the date when they were due to be born.

Sometimes we search for a ‘physical’ reason for why our baby is crying. Can it be they are intolerant to cows’ milk? Do they have gastro reflux? All of these are normal things to think about. It might surprise you to know that research has found that most of the time there is nothing wrong with your baby that is making them cry more. They are a new human being getting used to their new environment.

The ‘Normal Crying Curve’ shows how babies start to cry more often at about 2 weeks of age. The crying may get more often and last longer during the next few weeks. It will reach a peak at about 6 – 8 weeks, sometimes a little later. Every baby is different but after about 2 – 3 months, babies start to cry less and less each week.

When you have checked your baby’s needs and you have tried the comforting methods you have found worked before, your baby may go on crying. This means that their distress and your distress just add on to each other. When this happens, and it will, all you can really do is cope with the crying as much as you can and manage the feelings of stress. Knowing that this is a normal phase and that it will pass will help you.

It is a good idea to have a think about how you can help yourself to cope at this time before it happens. That’s better than waiting for it to happen. Think about the following things and you may want to write them down