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Crying · first 4 months

Why is my baby crying?

Checked against current guidance on October 8, 2026. General information, not medical advice.

Illustration of a parent holding a crying newborn close.

The 10-second answer

  • Check the basics in order: hungry, diaper, too hot or cold, tired, wind, needs a cuddle.13
  • Crying increases from about 2 weeks, peaks around 6-8 weeks and eases by 3-4 months. That is normal.235
  • At your limit? Put your baby on their back in the crib and step away for a few minutes. Check on them every 5-10 minutes. Never shake a baby.1357
  • A weak, high-pitched or very different cry: call your local emergency number now. Crying with a temperature of 38°C or more under 3 months: get medical help now.148

General information from published guidance, not a diagnosis or medical advice for your baby. If you are worried, call your doctor, midwife or local health line, whatever this page says. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.

The calm-down checklist

  1. Step 1 of 8

    Hungry?

    Look for rooting, hands to mouth or lip smacking. If you are breastfeeding, offer the breast even if it has not been long since the last feed.13

  2. Step 2 of 8

    Diaper?

    Check for a wet or dirty diaper, and for diaper tabs or clothes that are too tight.16

  3. Step 3 of 8

    Too hot or too cold?

    Feel the back of the neck or the tummy. Sweaty means remove a layer, cool means add one. Hands and feet are usually cooler and don't tell you much.19

  4. Step 4 of 8

    Wind?

    Hold your baby upright against your shoulder or sitting on your lap and gently pat or rub the back for a minute or two.134

  5. Step 5 of 8

    Tired?

    Tiredness is one of the most common reasons for crying. Dim the lights, cut the noise, and try rocking, a pacifier or a snug swaddle if your baby isn't rolling yet.123

  6. Step 6 of 8

    Needs you?

    Skin-to-skin contact, a baby carrier, a slow walk, gentle shushing or steady white noise can all help.1235

  7. Step 7 of 8

    Something else?

    Look for a hair wrapped tightly around a finger or toe, clothing that is rubbing, or signs of illness. Take your baby's temperature.16

  8. Step 8 of 8

    Still crying?

    Some crying can't be fixed, and that is not your fault. Put your baby safely on their back in the crib, close the door and take a few minutes. Check on your baby every 5-10 minutes. Call someone you trust to take over if you can.1357

Is this cry a worry?

Common signs, and what the guidance says to do

Guidance: call emergency services now

A fever at this age always needs checking straight away: call your local emergency number or go to an emergency department. If your baby otherwise seems well, you can call your doctor's urgent line right away instead (in the UK, 111).1814

Guidance: call emergency services now

A weak, high-pitched or constant cry, or one that doesn't sound like your baby's usual cry, can be a sign of serious illness. Call your local emergency number or go to an emergency department now.348

Guidance: call emergency services now

Call your local emergency number.38

Guidance: call emergency services now

Green vomit can mean a blocked gut, which needs treatment fast. Go to an emergency department now.1011

Guidance: get medical advice now

Your baby may not be getting enough fluid. Call your doctor now.310

Watch and log it

Crying like this in a baby who feeds and grows well fits the pattern called colic: common, exhausting, and usually harmless. Mention it to your doctor at your next visit, sooner if you are struggling.24

Log feeds, sleep and diapers in Ella to spot what's behind the fussy hours. Open Ella

Get medical help now if

  • your baby's cry is weak, high-pitched or very different from usual48
  • your baby is under 3 months with a temperature of 38°C or more18
  • your baby is floppy, very sleepy or hard to wake38
  • there is green vomit, or a lot of blood in the poop1011
  • your baby is feeding much less or has far fewer wet diapers83

Call your doctor or midwife today if

  • crying lasts more than 3 hours a day and nothing helps, or you are worried24
  • you are finding it hard to cope. Your doctor, midwife or health visitor can help34

If your baby stops breathing, turns blue or grey, is floppy or cannot be woken, call your local emergency number now.

The details

The normal crying curve

Healthy babies cry more and more from about 2 weeks old, with a peak around 6-8 weeks and a big improvement by 3-4 months. This normal peak in crying is the focus of the Period of PURPLE Crying® program from the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome, which is not affiliated with Ella. Crying is often worst in the late afternoon and evening, and sometimes nothing seems to help. Knowing this curve won't stop the crying, but it helps to know it ends.

2345

What is colic?

Doctors often use the rule of threes: crying for more than 3 hours a day, on more than 3 days a week, in a baby who is otherwise healthy and growing. Colic usually starts at 2-3 weeks and fades by 3-4 months. It is not caused by anything you did.

246

Calming moves that often work
  • Swaddle snugly, arms in, if your baby isn't rolling yet
  • Hold your baby on their side or tummy in your arms (always on the back for sleep)
  • Gentle shushing, or steady white noise in the background
  • Rhythmic motion: rocking, swaying, a walk in the stroller
  • Sucking: on a pacifier, or a feed

123

It's OK to walk away

Constant crying is exhausting, and feeling angry or desperate doesn't make you a bad parent. If you feel you can't cope, put your baby on their back in a safe crib, close the door and take a break. Shaking a baby, even for a second, can cause serious brain injury. Make sure everyone who cares for your baby knows this.

13567

Colic remedies

Most colic drops and gripe waters have little evidence behind them. Talk to your doctor before trying any remedy, before changing formula, or before cutting foods from your diet if you breastfeed.

246

Look after yourself too

Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby are an emergency: call your local emergency number now. Postpartum depression is common and treatable, and fathers and partners can have it too. If you have felt low, hopeless or anxious for more than 2 weeks, talk to your doctor, midwife or health visitor soon.

1213

Questions parents ask

How long is it normal for a newborn to cry?

Around 1-3 hours a day in total is common in the first 3 months, with a peak at 6-8 weeks. Crying that is much more, or sounds different, is worth checking with your doctor.267

Can I spoil a newborn by holding them too much?

No. Newborns can't be spoiled. Holding and comforting your baby helps them feel safe and often reduces crying.6

Is it colic or reflux?

Colic is long periods of crying in a baby who is otherwise well. Reflux is milk coming back up. A baby who cries and arches during or after most feeds, refuses feeds or isn't gaining weight should see a doctor.134

Why does my baby cry every evening?

Evening fussiness is very common in the first months, often worst in the late afternoon and evening. Babies may be overstimulated or simply have a fussy period. A calm, dim routine and plenty of holding usually help.123

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See the pattern behind the fussing

Log feeds, sleep and diapers in Ella and see the whole day on one screen. Share the night shift: both parents see the same journal, live.

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Sources

  1. AAP, HealthyChildren.org: Calming a fussy baby
  2. AAP, HealthyChildren.org: Colic relief tips for parents
  3. NHS: Soothing a crying baby
  4. NHS: Colic
  5. CDC: Preventing abusive head trauma in children
  6. AAP, HealthyChildren.org: Responding to your baby's cries
  7. AAP, HealthyChildren.org: Abusive head trauma: how to protect your baby
  8. NHS: When to get urgent medical help for babies and children under 5
  9. NHS: Reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
  10. NHS: Diarrhoea and vomiting
  11. AAP, HealthyChildren.org: Vomiting in infants
  12. NHS: Postnatal depression
  13. ACOG: Postpartum depression
  14. NHS: High temperature (fever) in children

Guidance can differ between countries. Where it does, we show both. Follow your own doctor or health service.

Checked against current guidance on October 8, 2026. General information, not medical advice. Written by the Ella team at Muchita AI from published guidance by the AAP, NHS, NICE, WHO and CDC, with AI-assisted drafting and translation checked against those sources by our team. These organisations have not reviewed or endorsed this page. General information, not a diagnosis or medical advice. If you are worried about your baby, trust your instinct and call a doctor.

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