We are not supporting this browser

Baby Baby Name Generator

      Recognising crying

      Mum and baby

      What to do when your baby cries

      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

      Possible reasons for your baby’s cries

      • They’re hungry
      • They’re too hot or too cold
      • They have colic or wind
      • They need changing
      • They’re in pain
      • They’re bored
      • They’re over-stimulated;
      • They want a cuddle

      Most of these causes can be solved fairly quickly and easily and once responded to, your baby should soon settle again but if your baby’s crying seems unusual or goes on for too long, speak to your public health nurse or doctor. And of course you can also chat to the Careline team too!

      Colic

      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.

      Ideas for soothing a colicky baby

      • Give them a cuddle
      • Encourage them to suck on something;
      • Wind them
      • Play some soft music or sing to them
      • Gently massage them
      • Bathe them
      • Carry them in a baby carrier or sling
      • Take them out for a walk or a drive in the car
      • Gently rock your baby back and forth
      • Play some white noise like a vacuum cleaner or hairdryer

      Crying in older babies

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

      • They’ve lost their comforter
      • They want company
      • They’ve bumped themselves
      • They’re teething
      • Separation anxiety
      • Newly developed fears

      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.

      Coping with excessive crying

      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.

      Any more questions?

      Our specialist baby advisors and experienced mums are here to talk and ready to help whenever you need them. You can call us or reach us on Live Chat 8.30am-5.30pm Monday-Friday.

      Join the C&G baby club today

      Join the C&G baby club today

      • Weekly emails with tips and advice for your stage
      • 1-to-1 support from our dedicated Careline team, 8.30am - 5.30pm Monday to Friday.
      Join us now

      More from baby

      Your privacy is important to us and therefore we would like to explain how we use cookies on this website. With your consent, we will use cookies to measure and analyse how our website is used (analytical cookies), to tailor it to your interests (personalisation cookies), and to show you relevant advertising and information (targeting cookies) we think you will like. For more information please read the cookie statement.

      Privacy Settings

      You can choose your preferences anytime for cookies and tracking. For more information please read our cookie policy

      • Strictly necessary

        They are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services (setting your privacy preferences, logging in, filling in forms, etc.). You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work.

      • Analytical cookies

        They allow us to count visits and traffic sources, to measure and improve the performance of our site. They show us which pages are the most and least popular and how visitors move around the site. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.

      • Personalisation cookies

        They enable website’s enhanced functionality and personalization. They may be set by us or by third parties whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies, some or all of these services may not function properly.

      • Targeting cookies

        They may be set through our site by our advertising partners, to build a profile of your interests and to show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.