My Baby is Crying for No Reason: Should I Panic?

Did you know that you think your baby is cute for a reason? The human brain is hardwired to find tiny, big-eyed creatures adorable. This tendency kickstarts maternal instincts and ensures our little ones get the care they need.

A crying baby is less cute than a giggling one, but there's also a reason why that incessant, keening sound splits your heart in two. All behavior is an attempt at communication. If it seems like your baby is crying for no reason, it's time to step away, take a deep breath, and persist in a calmer headspace.

Learning your baby's cues, needs, and quirks is a process, and it takes some time to get good at it. We've created this guide to help new parents understand what it might mean when their baby won't stop crying. We'll include tips and tricks to help you and your little one self-regulate and relax.

In this article, you can learn more about

Read on to learn how to decode baby cries so you can become a more confident new parent.

What Does It Mean When a Baby Cries?

Babies cry for various reasons, and it is the caregiver's role to figure out the cause and respond accordingly. Here are 10 possible reasons why a baby might cry:

1.Hunger

Hunger is often the first thing that comes to mind when a baby cries. They may show signs of hunger such as moving their hands to their mouth, smacking their lips, or rooting.

2. Need to Suck

Babies find comfort in sucking, so even if they are not hungry, they may cry because they want to suck on something. Offering a pacifier or helping them find their finger or thumb to suck on can provide soothing.

3. Wet or Soiled Diaper

A wet or dirty diaper can cause discomfort and lead to tears. Checking the baby's diaper frequently and changing it when necessary can help address this issue.

4. Feeling Hot or Cold:

Babies may cry if they are too hot or too cold. Dressing them in a similar number of clothing layers as the caregiver and adjusting the layers as needed can help maintain a comfortable temperature.

5. Tiredness

Babies can become fussy when they are tired. They may need more sleep than expected, and putting them to sleep or creating a calm sleep environment can help. Swaddling and playing some bedtime music or lullabies will help babies sleep better.

6. Overwhelm

Babies can become overwhelmed by excessive stimulation from their surroundings. Moving the baby to a calmer space, such as a quiet room or crib, or providing white noise like ocean waves or the sound of a fan can help them relax.

7. Need for Movement

Some babies find comfort in movement. Gentle rocking, walking with the baby in a carrier, placing them in an infant swing, or going for a car ride with soothing background noise can help calm a crying infant.

8. Need for Physical Contact

Babies often seek closeness from their caregivers. Holding the baby to your shoulder or chest, gentle rubbing, or pats on the back can help soothe a crying baby.

9. Teething Pain

Babies who are teething may be more irritable and cry more than usual. Some babies may have a slightly elevated temperature when teething. Their eating and sleeping patterns might change as well. To soothe the teething babies, you can offer something cold for your baby to chew on or use a clean finger to gently massage your baby's gums.

10. Colic

Some babies experience colic, which is characterized by frequent, intense, and prolonged crying. Colic often starts a few weeks after birth but typically improves by the time the baby is 3 to 4 months old.

Remember that babies have emotions beyond their basic needs, even if they can't name them. Like adults, babies get lonely, overstimulated, and frustrated. Sometimes babies get so worked up that they forget to stop after you meet their needs and need a good distraction to break the cycle. 

Pixsee's Smart Baby Monitor's Cry Decoder can support you during those stressful first weeks with a newborn baby.

What if My Baby Never Used to Cry Like This?

If your baby is a little older, they will start experiencing new, exciting developmental changes daily. Between six and nine months, your little one will develop object permanence. When objects or people disappear from their line of sight, they have the cognitive ability to recognize that they're missing.

This period is exciting, as it means your baby remembers and misses you when you leave the room. It also means that drop-offs, partings, and transitions might be more emotional for a while. Your happy-go-lucky baby might start to scream inconsolably, which can seem baffling, especially if it happens overnight.

Here are some things that might help your little one navigate this developmental transition:

• Stick to clear, consistent routines
• Use items that smell like you to help baby self-soothe
• Help babies slowly acclimate to spaces they may be left alone
• Keep your own stress level as low as possible
• Play peekaboo to help baby understand that things come back
• Try to avoid "sneaking out" during separation routines

Your little one will continue to grow and change, and while this phase can be heartbreaking for new parents, it doesn't last long. As your baby develops new, more nuanced cognitive abilities, they will master separation and transitions.

When Are Baby Cries Bad?

Baby cries are never "bad." Remember that baby crying is always an attempt at communication. With that said, there are some instances when a crying baby might need extra help to calm down.

If your baby's cries seem particularly uncharacteristic, they may not be feeling well. Babies have brand new digestive systems, and they may be causing problems. Food allergies, acid reflux, and colic are three common causes of tummy discomfort that require advice from a pediatrician.  

Babies might also cry because they are in pain or experiencing general illness. New parents should always have a thermometer to check their sweet baby's temperature. Pay close attention to what your little one eats and the contents of their diaper, as that can help determine if they're dehydrated.

If you suspect your baby is sick or in pain, always speak to your pediatrician as soon as possible.

Sometimes a tummy upset or a health scare turns out to be gas, and that's okay. Your pediatrician is here to support you and provide the information you need to make informed decisions about your baby's health. Ask them how you can recognize the signs of a gassy baby and to demonstrate a few strategies that might help.

Quick Tips for New Parents

Even normal baby crying can be stressful and overwhelming for some parents, and there is nothing wrong with you if you feel frustrated. Here are a few tips to help you help your little one.

• Babies can sense your stress, so relax
• When in doubt, redirect with a silly distraction
• It's okay to walk away and come back when you're ready
• Don't be afraid to ask for help
• Notice trends in your baby's cries to try and learn the cues
• If crying increases suddenly, ask yourself if your baby is the right age for a new attachment milestone
• Learning signals takes time, so be patient

Remember that you are not a bad parent just because your baby is crying. Babies are individuals with unique personalities. Show your sweet baby that you care by remaining present and taking care of your own emotional needs.

What NOT to Do When Babies Cry

Here are also some things you should NOT do when babies cry:

1. Ignore the Crying & Leave Baby Alone:

Ignoring the crying can lead to frustration and distress for the baby. It's suggested to respond to their cries and attend to their needs promptly.

2. Shake the Baby:

Shaking a baby forcefully is extremely dangerous and can cause severe injuries, including brain damage. Never shake a baby in an attempt to stop them from crying.

3. Overfeed the Baby:

While hunger is one of the most common reasons babies cry, overfeeding them can lead to discomfort and other issues. 

4. Yelling or Shouting:

Loudly yelling, shouting, or creating loud noises near a crying baby can startle them and intensify their distress. Babies hearing is very sensitive. Loud souds at or above 85 decibels can raise the risk of hearing loss.

5. Yelling or Shouting:

Loudly yelling, shouting, or creating loud noises near a crying baby can startle them and intensify their distress. Babies hearing is very sensitive. Loud souds at or above 85 decibels can raise the risk of hearing loss.

5. Self Medication:

Always consult a pediatrician if you have concerns about your baby's crying or well-being. Relying on self-medication may cause parents to delay seeking professional medical advice when their baby's condition requires timely intervention. This delay can result in the worsening of the condition.

No Baby Is Crying for No Reason

Humans do not tend to do anything "for no reason," and babies are only tiny humans. While they may not understand why they're crying, remember that no baby is crying for no reason. Even if the cause is silly or frustrating, you owe it to your sweet baby to remain present and help them manage their emotions.

With the Pixsee smart video baby monitor, decoding your baby's cries has never been easier. The award-winning Pixsee App includes a cry decoder that can help frazzled new parents learn to communicate with their sweet baby. Visit our Pixsee Shop and Amazon online store  to find out what other features Pixsee has to offer and see for yourself why Pixsee smart baby camera is the perfect parenting companion.