Some mums and dads worry that if they respond too quickly when their baby cries they’ll spoil them. However, comforting your baby quickly when they cry lets them know you are there for them, and makes them feel secure.

If your baby is under three months old and is crying excessively, they may have colic. It’s not possible to cure colic, but there are some soothing techniques you can try.

Once your baby is past the newborn stage, there are some other possible reasons they may be crying:

A cuddle can do wonders to soothe an unsettled baby if there is nothing physically wrong. If the crying continues or your baby seems to be uncomfortable as well as distressed, it might be a good idea to talk to your public health nurse or doctor.

Although it may not seem like it at times (especially if they’re suffering from colic) your baby won’t cry forever! If you’re finding excessive crying hard to deal with, try to take a break. Ask friends and family to help by looking after your baby for a little while - even a few quiet minutes with a cup of tea can make all the difference. If you feel like things are getting on top of you, have a word with your public health nurse or GP. They’re there to help you and your baby.