Newborns cry for 1–3 hours a day on average, peaking around week 6. That is normal — crying is the only full-volume communication tool a 0–3 month old has. What is not normal is being unable to work out why.

Here is the full list of causes in the first three months, ordered by how often they actually happen, with the sound pattern for each. To skip the guesswork, record the cry into the free Baby Cry Analyzer.

The big five (about 90% of newborn crying)

Hunger

Rhythmic and repetitive, building in intensity, with rooting and hand-sucking before it starts. Newborns feed 8–12 times in 24 hours. Crying is a late hunger cue — catch the early ones (stirring, lip smacking, turning head) and feeds get much calmer.

Wind and burps

Sharp bursts of crying that stop when a burp comes up. Squirming mid-feed, pulling off the breast or bottle, grimacing. Burp upright over the shoulder for at least 5 minutes, and again mid-feed if baby gulps.

Colic

Defined by the rule of threes: more than 3 hours a day, more than 3 days a week, for more than 3 weeks, in an otherwise healthy baby. Starts around week 2–3, peaks at 6 weeks, gone by 3–4 months in most babies. High-pitched, inconsolable, clenched fists, legs drawn up, worst in the evenings. Colic is real, self-limiting, and not your fault.

Overstimulation

Too many relatives, too much noise, bright lights, being passed hand to hand — very common in Indian joint families and during naming ceremonies. Baby turns away, arches, and cries in a rising wail. Fix: dim, quiet room, one person, skin-to-skin.

Tiredness

A newborn can only handle 45–60 minutes awake. Past that, they get wired, not sleepy. Whiny cry escalating fast, jerky movements, red eyebrows.

Discomfort causes

• Wet or soiled nappy — on-off whining
• Too hot (far more common in India than too cold) — sweaty neck, prickly heat rash, restlessness
• Tight clothes, a hair tourniquet around a toe or finger, a nappy elastic digging in — always undress and check a baby who cries suddenly and inconsolably
• Reflux — crying when laid flat, arching, frequent spit-ups
• Cow's milk protein allergy — crying with eczema, mucousy or bloody stools, poor weight gain

Feeding-related causes

Oversupply and fast let-down make babies gulp, choke and pull off crying. A shallow latch causes hungry, frustrated crying and nipple pain. Both are fixable in one session with a lactation consultant — see our lactation consult.

Illness — when crying is a red flag

Go to a doctor immediately if you see: fever ≥100.4°F in a baby under 3 months, a weak, shrill or moaning cry, refusal to feed for several feeds, fewer than 6 wet nappies a day, vomiting that is green or forceful, blood in stool, a bulging or sunken soft spot, unusual floppiness or extreme sleepiness, laboured breathing or grunting, or a rash that does not fade under pressure.

Soothing that actually works at this age

Swaddle — snug arms, loose hips, stop when baby rolls

Side or stomach hold in your arms (never for sleep)

Shushing at the same volume as the cry, then quieten

Swinging — small, fast, controlled motion

Sucking — breast, clean finger or paediatrician-approved pacifier

Skin-to-skin — the most reliable regulator for a newborn

Warm bath, or a walk with baby in a wrap

Look after yourself too

Prolonged crying triggers a real stress response in parents. If you feel your patience going, put baby down safely in the cot and step away for two minutes. Never shake a baby. If low mood, anxiety or rage lasts beyond two weeks, that is postnatal depression or anxiety — it is common and treatable.

Not sure which cause it is?

Record five seconds and run it through the free Baby Cry Analyzer. Then read how to decode baby cries to learn the sound patterns yourself, and why babies cry at night for the 2am version of this list.