Hungry
Look for feeding cues such as rooting, bringing hands toward the mouth, sucking motions, or increased alertness. Crying can be a later hunger cue.
Crying & Fussiness
Some days it feels like you’ve checked everything—fed, changed, burped, held—and your baby is still crying. Crying is one of the main ways babies communicate, but figuring out what they need can take time. This guide offers simple places to start, ways to soothe an unsettled baby, and signs that it may be time to call the pediatrician.
You do not have to be able to stop every cry. Sometimes your baby may simply need your comfort while they work through it.
Start with the basics
What could my baby need?
Babies cry for lots of reasons, and sometimes there is no obvious answer. Start with the simple possibilities first.
Tired or overstimulated
Bright lights, noise, activity, or staying awake too long can make some babies increasingly fussy.
Needs a diaper change
Wetness, stool, diaper rash, or irritated skin can be uncomfortable.
Too hot or too cold
Check whether your baby seems uncomfortable with the temperature or clothing.
Needs to burp
Some babies become unsettled during or after feeding when they need help releasing swallowed air.
Wants closeness
Sometimes babies simply want to be held, rocked, cuddled, or close to a caregiver.
Something feels uncomfortable
Clothing, hair wrapped around a finger or toe, gas, congestion, illness, or another source of discomfort can sometimes cause crying.
And sometimes, even after checking everything, babies still cry.
The fussy hours
Why does crying seem worse at the end of the day?
Many young babies have periods of increased fussiness, often in the late afternoon or evening. Crying tends to increase during the early weeks of life and usually improves as babies get older.
An evening fussy period does not necessarily mean something is wrong, especially if the baby otherwise feeds, grows, wakes normally, and seems well between crying periods.
When the crying feels endless
Could it be colic?
Colic is a term used for frequent, prolonged crying in an otherwise healthy baby when there is no obvious cause. Babies with colic may be difficult to console and may clench their fists, pull their legs toward their belly, arch their back, or become red in the face while crying.
Colic commonly improves during the first few months of life, but persistent or unusual crying should still be discussed with your pediatrician rather than automatically assuming it is colic.
Things to try
When nothing seems to be working
Hold them close
Cuddle, use skin-to-skin contact, or hold your baby securely against your body.
Gentle movement
Try rocking, slowly walking while holding your baby, or gently swaying.
Reduce stimulation
Dim the lights, move somewhere quieter, and reduce noise and activity.
Calming sound
Soft white noise, humming, singing, or a quiet repetitive sound may help some babies settle.
Sucking
If appropriate for your baby, breastfeeding, a bottle when hungry, or a pacifier may be soothing.
Check feeding and burping
If your baby recently ate, pause to burp them and make sure they are comfortable rather than assuming every cry means they need more milk.
Different babies respond to different kinds of comfort. You may need to experiment, and what works one day may not work the next.
For the hard moments
It is okay to put your baby somewhere safe
Supportive reminder
Persistent crying can be extremely stressful. If you feel overwhelmed or frustrated, place your baby on their back in a safe crib or bassinet and give yourself a few minutes to regroup. Ask another trusted adult to take over if someone is available.
Never shake a baby
A crying baby is safer resting in a safe sleep space for a few minutes than being held by a caregiver who feels close to losing control.
When to ask for help
When crying feels different
Babies can have temporarily fussier periods because of hunger, overtiredness, routine changes, teething in older infants, congestion, mild illness, vaccination discomfort, or feeding changes. A sudden, significant, or persistent change in your baby's usual behavior is worth mentioning to their pediatrician, especially when it comes with other symptoms.
Contact your pediatrician promptly if:
- the crying is constant or unusually difficult to console
- the cry sounds noticeably different from the baby’s normal cry
- the baby is feeding much less than usual or refusing feeds
- there is repeated vomiting
- the baby has fewer wet diapers or signs of dehydration
- the baby seems unusually sleepy, weak, or difficult to wake
- the baby has a fever or otherwise seems ill
- the baby appears to be in significant pain
- the caregiver simply feels that something is not right
Seek emergency medical help immediately if your baby is struggling to breathe, turns blue or gray, becomes unresponsive, has a seizure, or you believe there is another life-threatening emergency.
Trusted resources
Helpful places to learn more
HealthyChildren.org — Crying & Colic
American Academy of Pediatrics information about infant crying, soothing, and colic.
Learn moreHealthyChildren.org — How to Calm a Fussy Baby
Practical soothing suggestions from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Read guidanceCDC — Developmental Milestones
Age-by-age developmental milestones and guidance for families from the CDC.
View milestonesHealthyChildren.org — Baby
American Academy of Pediatrics guidance for common questions and concerns during baby's first year.
Explore resourcesDisclaimer
This resource is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice or a substitute for care from a qualified healthcare professional. Every parent, baby, and situation is different. For questions about your health or your child’s health, development, feeding, sleep, or safety, contact an appropriate healthcare professional. If you believe you or your child may be experiencing a medical emergency, seek emergency medical care.