Medical expert of the article
New publications
Newborn crying
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
It is important to differentiate between a newborn's crying and colic. Crying only means that the baby is communicating his discomfort.
Reasons for newborn crying
The reasons for crying in a newborn can be mundane (for example, a newborn accustomed to cramped conditions in the womb is afraid of movements of arms and legs) or serious (for example, otitis, abdominal pain). More often, there is no objective reason. Constant or prolonged crying, especially with symptoms of illness, requires finding the cause. Almost always, a child cries less by 4-6 months; if this is not the case, then it should be assumed that he is in pain due to an organic cause or improper care.
[ What to do if a newborn baby cries?
Anamnesis
The history focuses on the duration, frequency, time of occurrence during the day, or nature of the cry, as well as other symptoms of the disease. Fever or upper respiratory infection suggests a diagnosis of otitis media, while diarrhea or vomiting suggests a gastrointestinal tract disorder ranging from gastroenteritis to more serious conditions. Excessive parental nervousness may indicate tension in the family, which may be reflected in the child's behavior.
Inspection
The examination focuses on physical development parameters and the search for other signs of disease. Hyperemia and tension of the eardrum indicate otitis media. Abdominal distension or tension of the anterior abdominal wall indicate an abdominal process that is causing pain. Fever and restlessness without an obvious cause may be due to a urinary tract infection.
Laboratory and instrumental examination
In most cases, a crying newborn does not require special treatment unless the anamnesis and pathological symptoms indicate the need for further examination.
Newborn Crying: Treatment
The role of the physician is to provide explanations and recommendations to the parents, who then try various methods to reduce the baby's crying. Approaches vary depending on the cause and age. Infants in the first year of life may be soothed by changing their swaddling clothes, providing background noise, and rocking them in their arms or in a crib. Both infants and older children are often soothed by car rides. If the parents and physician are satisfied that there is no serious cause for the crying, the baby may be allowed to cry for a short period (the "5-minute rule"), after which the parents soothe the baby and start the clock again. Parents are often relieved to be able to let their baby cry, and often the baby will calm down spontaneously before the allotted period has elapsed.