Why does my baby cry?

The first and most obvious reason your baby cries is that it’s his only form of communication with you. He isn’t trying to test your patience – he is crying because he has a problem he doesn’t know how to deal with, and he hasn’t learned any words to tell you what it is. Some common reasons for your baby’s tears are…

• Hunger By far the most common reason. Because their stomachs are too tiny to hold much food, babies can get hungry again faster than you’d expect. Offer him a feed and see if that stops the tears.

• Tiredness Babies are taking in so much information and learning so many new things all the time that they need lots of sleep to recharge their minds and bodies. Put him down for a sleep in his crib.

• Dirty diaper Would you like to sit in your own mess with a hot towel wrapped you to keep it up close and personal? Hmmm – thought not! Some babies don’t mind this sensation but others object – and loudly. Change his diaper and check for diaper rash, which may be flare up form time to time.

• Temperature It’s important not to let your baby overheat or get too cold as they find it difficult to regulate their own temperature. Take steps to cool him down or warm him up as necessary.

• Illness The cry that accompanies this complaint is usually louder, higher pitched and more demanding than their usual one (read gurgle's article on identifying different sorts of cry); although it may be an unusually weak cry too. He may have other symptoms, such as diarrhea, vomiting or a fever. Call your pediatrician straightaway if you think your baby may be ill.

• Loneliness Babies are social creatures and love to be a part of what the rest of the household is doing. Often a baby cries because he has been left alone or isn’t being held close to you. Try to remedy this by doing household chores with him in a sling and include him in family activities. Make sure he can see what is going on.

• Teething For older babies, teething can be a painful process. You’ll know when a tooth is cutting through your baby’s gum as he’ll drool excessively and may cry a lot. His cheek may be flushed red and he may get a moderate fever. Offer him a cool teether to gnaw on and give him a pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to ease any discomfort.

• Separation anxiety At around eight months your baby may start to fret and cry if you leave his field of vision. He’s reached the stage where he has figured out that you and he are separate – and that this means you can leave him. This insecurity will pass, but try to reassure your baby that you’ll return.

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The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.