Babies cry. Some babies cry more or less than others, but, on average, they cry 1 hour and 45 minutes a day when they’re 2 weeks old, and 3 hours a day when they’re 6 weeks old.
Sometimes babies cry because they are hungry, tired or uncomfortable, or because they want to be close to you. Sometimes babies cry for no reason at all.
Most babies have a fussy period each day, usually in the early evening. It starts when they’re about 3 weeks old and continues until they’re about 12 weeks.
Evening crying is sometimes seen as a tension-release, the result of a full day’s worth of sensory overload. Crying shuts down your baby’s senses and eventually tires her out so that she falls into the deep sleep she needs.
Infant crying can be stressful for parents. You feel she is calling for your help, you respond, yet sometimes she continues to cry. Usually you can soothe her and quiet the cry with feeding, walking or holding, but know that sometimes she will cry no matter what you do. It’s all part of being a baby.
See also ...
• Understanding the Period of 'PURPLE' Crying
• Crying in Normally Developing Infants
• Understanding Normal Crying May Help Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome
• What Is Colic?
This message is not intended to provide individual medical advice. Always seek the advice of a physician or qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have about your health or medical condition, your breastfeeding issues and your infant's health. Never disregard, avoid or delay contacting a doctor or other qualified professional because of something you have read in our emails, webpages or other electronic communications.
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