Is my baby crying too much?

Nothing quite prepares you for becoming a parent. Since your little one has arrived on the scene, your priorities have no doubt shifted from yourself to your child – keeping them safe, happy and watching with delight as they grow.

It’s no wonder then that you may feel uneasy if they seem to be crying a lot. While it’s true that it’s normal for babies to cry, you wouldn’t be blamed for wondering ‘how much is too much?’ We spoke to two experts on babies and crying to get the facts straight on what should be considered routine, and when to see a doctor.

Why babies cry

While they don’t have the power of speech, crying is a baby’s main form of communication. It doesn’t always mean they are unwell or something is seriously wrong. General Paediatrician Dr. Daniel Golshevsky tells us, “​There are numerous reasons why babies cry, but by far the most common reasons are: hunger, being over-tired, temperament and delays in the development of self-soothing.

“Other reasons may be symptoms related — like a food intolerance, wind and discomfort, or poorly controlled eczema causing an itch.” Registered Midwife and Medibank Health Concierge Bess Bennett-Hol adds that babies will sometimes cry if they feel uncertain, scared or overwhelmed.

MORE: How to calm a restless baby

What is a ‘normal’ amount of crying?

When it comes to what should be considered ‘normal’, that can all depend on the baby in question. Bess says, “All babies have their own personalities, and some may cry more than others. However, it can be quite normal for babies to cry 2-3 hours in total over a full day.”

Most babies’ crying reaches a peak at about six weeks of age, and reduces from there. And tend to be more upset in the afternoons and early evenings.

However, some babies can be particularly unsettled, despite the fact there are no obvious physical or medical causes. This is often referred to as colic. If you’re wondering if your baby may be experiencing colic, remember the rule of threes. Dr. Golshevsky says: “The definition of colic​ is crying for more than 3 hours per day, more than 3 days per week, for a 3 week period.”

When should you seek help?

Sometimes babies cry because they’re tired, hungry or uncomfortable, but they can also cry when they are unwell.

“Situations where it’s important to seek medical advice would be if your baby is not feeding well, if they have less wet nappies than usual, they seem sick or unwell, the sound of their cry is different from usual or your baby has other symptoms such as a rash, trouble with their breathing, vomiting, diarrhoea or a fever,” says Bess.

“It is important to remember that you know your baby best, so if you are concerned that they seem unwell, see your doctor.” .

If your baby is crying excessively, and may have colic, Dr Golshevsky advises seeing an experienced GP or pediatrician as soon as possible . “Do not just 'ride it out' and wait for them to get older, this is not necessary and not much fun! There are often very subtle changes that make a huge difference.”

“When assessing a baby for excessive crying, the first thing I focus on is the infant-parent relationship, as this can be strained by the lack of sleep and the stress associated with an unsettled baby. After this, I will analyse the baby's feeding, bathing and sleeping - as well as the handling techniques of the parents or caregivers.”

Coping when your baby won’t stop crying

Sometimes, despite your best efforts your baby may not settle, which can be stressful.

“Remind yourself you are doing all you can for your baby and it won’t last forever. Phone a friend or a support person to help you out, or reach out to a health professional or support line,” says Bess.

Bess also reminds us that when it comes to cuddling a crying baby, don’t be afraid you’ll overdo it: “You cannot ‘spoil’ a baby for cuddling or comforting them too much, babies only cry when they need something from us. When you respond quickly to your babies cries you are letting them know that they are safe and you are there for them”

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