why newborn crying
Why Newborns Cry — A Calm Checklist and When to Get Help
Crying communicates hunger, discomfort, tiredness, closeness needs or overstimulation. A repeatable check helps, but a sudden unusual cry or an unwell baby needs medical assessment.
Reviewed and updated:
The calm checklist
- Offer a feed if cues suggest hunger
- Check the nappy and clothing
- Hold skin-to-skin or close
- Reduce light and stimulation
- Try gentle movement or white noise
- Check whether the baby may be too hot or cold
Protect the caregiver too
Crying can overwhelm anyone. Never shake a baby. Put the baby in a safe sleep space, step away for a few minutes, breathe and call someone.
Get urgent help
Common questions
Can you spoil a newborn by holding them?
Responding to a newborn’s need for feeding, warmth and comfort does not spoil them.