Why Do Babies Cry?

Babies cry. Some babies cry more or less than others, but, on average, they cry 1 hour and 45 minutes a day when they’re 2 weeks old, and 3 hours a day when they’re 6 weeks old.

Sometimes babies cry because they are hungry, tired or uncomfortable, or because they want to be close to you. Sometimes babies cry for no reason at all.

Most babies have a fussy period each day, usually in the early evening. It starts when they’re about 3 weeks old and continues until they’re about 12 weeks.

Evening crying is sometimes seen as a tension-release, the result of a full day’s worth of sensory overload. Crying shuts down your baby’s senses and eventually tires her out so that she falls into the deep sleep she needs.

Infant crying can be stressful for parents. You feel she is calling for your help, you respond, yet sometimes she continues to cry. Usually you can soothe her and quiet the cry with feeding, walking or holding, but know that sometimes she will cry no matter what you do. It’s all part of being a baby.

Disclaimer: This page is not intended to provide medical advice about your child. Always seek the advice of a physician, qualified healthcare provider or child-development specialist with any questions you have about your child's health, medical condition or development. Never disregard, avoid or delay contacting a doctor or other qualified professional because of something you read here.