What to Do for a Crying Baby

Why Do Babies Cry?

All newborns cry and get fussy sometimes. It's normal for a baby to cry for2–3 hours a day for the first 6 weeks. During the first 3 months of life, they cry more than at any other time.

New parents often are low on sleep and getting used to life with their little one. They'll quickly learn to check to see if their crying baby:

• is hungry
• is tired
• needs to be burped
• is overstimulated
• has a wet or dirty diaper
• is too hot or cold

Often, taking care of a baby's needs is enough to soothe a baby. But sometimes, the crying goes on longer.

What Is Colic?

Some babies cry a lot more than others. A baby who cries three or more hours a day, three or more days a week, for at least three weeks might have colic. Usually, it starts when a baby is 2–5 weeks old and ends by the time the baby is 3–4 months old.

Colic happens to a lot of newborns. It's hard to see your baby cry so much, but colic isn't caused by anything a parent did or didn't do. The good news is babies outgrow colic.

Purple Period

Some doctors call this the Period of PURPLE Crying®, where the letters that spell “purple” stand for what is going on. This crying is:

• Peaking during this period
• Unexpected, with no known cause
• Resists soothing
• Painful appearing, even though the baby is not actually in pain
• Long-lasting
• Often in the Evening

What Can Help a Crying Baby?

You can't spoil your baby with too much attention. To soothe a crying baby:

• First, make sure your baby doesn't have a fever. The best way to take a baby's temperature is rectally (in your child’s bottom) with a regular digital thermometer. In a baby, a fever is a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C). Call the doctor right away if your baby does have a fever.
• Make sure your baby isn't hungry and has a clean diaper.
• Gently rock or walk with the baby.
• Sing or talk to your baby.
• Offer the baby a pacifier.
• Hold your baby close against your body and take calm, slow breaths.
• Give the baby a warm bath.
• Pat or rub the baby's back. You can try placing the baby across your lap on the belly and rubbing the back.
• Take the baby for a ride in a stroller, or put the baby in a swing or vibrating seat. You can also put your baby in an infant car seat in the back of the car and go for a ride. Often, the motion is calming. Always make sure the baby is safely strapped in.
• Play music — some babies respond to sound as well as movement.

Some babies need less stimulation. Babies 2 months and younger may do well swaddled, lying on their back in the crib with the lights very dim or dark. Make sure the swaddle isn't too tight. Stop swaddling when the baby is starting to be able to roll over.

What Can I Do if a Baby Won't Stop Crying?

If a baby in your care won't stop crying:

• Call a friend or relative for support or to take care of the baby while you take a break.
• If nothing else works, put the baby on their back in an empty crib (without loose blankets or stuffed animals), close the door, and check on the baby in 10 minutes. During that 10 minutes, do something to try to relax and calm down. Try washing your face, breathing deeply, or listening to music.

Call your doctor if nothing seems to be helping the baby, in case there is a medical reason for the fussiness.

Shaken Baby Syndrome

No matter what, no one should ever shake a baby for any reason.

If someone shakes a baby, it can cause shaken baby syndrome (or abusive head trauma), when a child's brain is injured from physical abuse. This can cause permanent brain damage or death. Shaking a baby is more likely when a caregiver is frustrated or upset. Finding ways to ease a caregiver's stress when a baby is crying can help prevent these injuries.

What Else Should I Know?

Places to Get Help

The National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome offers a prevention program, the Period of PURPLE Crying®, to help parents and other caregivers understand crying and how to handle it.

It can help to share how you’re feeling with friends and family who have gone through similar experiences. And asking for help and support can give you a much needed break from the crying.

If you're worried you might hurt your baby or yourself, place your baby in the crib or bassinette and call for help right away. You can call the doctor, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988), or 911. If you think someone else might hurt your baby, you can call the national hotline1-800-4-A-CHILD (800-422-4453) anytime for help.

Take Care of Your Baby & Yourself

Tell anyone caring for your baby to never shake the infant. Talk about the dangers of shaking and safe ways for soothing a crying infant.

Keep in mind that all babies cry a lot and it will get better. The crying isn't caused by something you did or didn't do. Take care of yourself and ask for help so you can keep taking good care of your baby.