Babies and crying

There are few things as distressing to the human ear as the sound of your own baby crying and once you’ve heard her cry for the first time, you’ll never again be able to switch off when you hear it.

Nature has hardwired you to respond to your infant and in time, you’ll be able to distinguish the type of cry your baby is making and what the reason for it is.

The good news is that from around three months onwards your baby won’t cry as much as she did at the start. Normally, babies cry from one to three hours a day before they’re three months old, and after this point, not for more than one hour a day. Your baby will still register her displeasure in this way, but not as frequently. Of course, these are generalizations and your baby is an individual. She may cry for longer periods than this rough guide details and it’ll be perfectly normal for her. However, if you think your baby is crying too much, have a look at excessive crying to help you work out what could be wrong with your baby.

As with any concerns you might have regarding your baby’s happiness or welfare, you should consult your pediatrician for further advice. Be warned though: long crying bouts in new babies are often explained away as colic. This isn’t really a medical diagnosis, more a phrase to explain something that isn’t fully understood. See colic for further information.

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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.