Newborn baby crying—it’s how they communicate with the world. As new parents, hearing your baby cry at night can be stressful and overwhelming, especially when you’re not sure why they’re upset or how to calm them down. However, nighttime crying is a normal part of infancy, and there are many ways you can soothe your baby and help them feel more comfortable.
This guide will uncover why a newborn baby crying at night and explore practical and effective techniques to calm your little one. With patience, practice, and a little knowledge, you can navigate these sleepless nights amid newborn baby crying and foster a sense of security and comfort for your baby.
Why Does Your Newborn Baby Crying at Night?
Newborn baby crying sometimes feels random and unpredictable, but babies generally cry to express a need or discomfort. Understanding your newborn baby crying is the first step toward soothing them effectively.
- Hunger: Newborns have tiny stomachs, letting them eat frequently, even at night. On average, newborns feed every 2-3 hours, whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. A hungry baby displays signs of hunger, such as sucking on their hands, rooting (turning their head toward your breast or a bottle), or smacking their lips. If your baby is showing these signs and crying at night, feeding may be all they need to calm down.
- Dirty Diaper: One of the simplest reasons for a newborn baby crying is a wet or soiled diaper. Babies get easily uncomfortable when their diaper is dirty, making them fussy and cry. Regularly check your baby’s diaper throughout the night to stay clean and dry. Some babies are more sensitive to the feeling of a dirty diaper than others, so even a small amount of wetness causes discomfort.
- Overstimulation: Babies need sensory experiences to develop, but they can be easily overstimulated. Too much activity, noise, or visual stimulation overwhelms their developing nervous system, leading to fussiness and crying, especially as bedtime approaches. Creating a calm, quiet environment in the hours leading up to sleep prevents overstimulation and makes it easy for your baby to settle down at night.
- Overtiredness: It might seem counterintuitive, but when babies are overtired, they struggle to fall asleep. Overtiredness causes babies to become cranky and fussy, making it more difficult for them to calm down. Establishing a consistent sleep schedule and recognizing your baby’s sleep cues—such as rubbing their eyes, yawning, or becoming fussy—help you avoid overtiredness and make nighttime soothing easier.
- Need for Comfort: Sometimes, a newborn baby crying simply because they want to be close to their parents. Newborns have an innate need for comfort and security, and being held or cuddled provides reassurance. Skin-to-skin contact, in particular, is incredibly calming for babies, as it mimics the warmth and closeness they experience while in the womb.
- Temperature: Babies are sensitive to temperature changes, and being too hot or cold causes discomfort and crying. The ideal room temperature for a newborn’s sleep is 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit. Dress your baby in lightweight clothing and use a swaddle or sleep sack to keep them comfortable. Check the back of your baby’s neck or chest to ensure they aren’t too warm, as overheating increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
- Gas or Colic: A significant discomfort for newborn baby crying, especially at night, is gas or colic. Babies swallow air while feeding, leading to gas buildup and abdominal pain. Colic, on the other hand, is characterized by prolonged and intense crying that typically occurs in the evening. The exact cause isn’t fully understood, and it’s extremely distressing for the baby and the parents. If your baby is crying and appears to be in pain, such as pulling their legs up to their chest or clenching their fists, gas or colic might be the culprit.
You can learn more about newborn baby crying in this article: My Newborn Baby is Fussy: 10 Expert Tips for Calming Your Baby
How to Calm a Newborn Baby Crying at Night
Now that you know why a newborn baby crying at night, let’s explore some proven techniques to calm your little one and make bedtime a more peaceful experience.
1. Feed and Burp Your Baby
If your baby is crying, the first thing to check is whether they’re hungry. As mentioned, newborns need to eat frequently, and a crying baby asks for a feeding. Once your baby is full, burp them gently to release trapped air that could lead to gas discomfort later on.
How to Properly Burp a Baby
- Over the shoulder: Hold your baby upright against your chest with their head resting on your shoulder. Gently pat or rub their back until they burp.
- Sitting upright: Sit your baby on your lap, supporting their head and chest with one hand while gently patting their back with the other hand.
- Lying on the stomach: Lay your baby face-down across your lap, supporting their head. Gently pat or rub their back.
Try each position to see which one works best for your baby. Remember to be patient—sometimes it takes a few minutes for a baby to burp.
2. Swaddle Your Baby
Swaddling is a time-honored technique that helps babies feel secure and mimics the snug environment of the womb. Wrapping your baby in a light blanket with their arms tucked in can help reduce their startle reflex, which often wakes newborns at night. Swaddling also keeps them warm and cozy, creating a soothing environment for sleep. The swaddle should not be too tight around the hips to prevent hip dysplasia. Your baby’s hips and legs must have room to move freely within the swaddle.
Interested in learning more about swaddling your newborn? This article is for you: How to Swaddle Newborn Baby for a Better Night’s Sleep: A 7-Step Guide for New Parents
3. Create a Soothing Sleep Environment
A calm and peaceful sleep environment affects how well your baby sleeps. Use a white noise machine or a fan to provide consistent, soothing background noise that mimics the sounds your baby heard in the womb. White noise drowns out other household sounds that might disturb your baby’s sleep. Also, dimming the lights in your baby’s room and using blackout curtains can signal your baby that it’s time for sleep. A dark room encourages the production of melatonin, a hormone that promotes sleep.
4. Try a Gentle Rocking or Bouncing Motion
Babies find gentle movement calming, reminding them of the motion they experienced in the womb. Rocking your baby in a rocking chair, holding them while bouncing, or walking around helps soothe them. You can also place your baby in a swing or bouncer, but supervise them closely. If you feel tired, consider using a baby carrier to keep your baby close while allowing you to move freely. The gentle sway of your movements helps your baby relax and fall asleep.
5. Offer a Pacifier
Sucking is a natural reflex that helps babies calm themselves. If your baby isn’t hungry but still fussy, a pacifier can settle them down. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends offering a pacifier at nap time and bedtime, as it has been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS. However, if you’re breastfeeding, it’s a good idea to wait until breastfeeding is established (around 3-4 weeks) before introducing a pacifier.
6. Skin-to-Skin Contact
This is a powerful way to calm newborn baby crying. Holding your baby against your bare chest regulates their breathing, heart rate, and body temperature, providing a sense of security and comfort. This closeness also promotes bonding and helps establish breastfeeding. Skin-to-skin contact is especially beneficial during the first few months of life, but it can be helpful at any age when your baby needs extra comfort.
For further insights on newborn baby crying, this article might interest you: 10 Effective Newborn Baby Bonding Activities: Strengthening the Connection
7. Massage Your Baby
Gentle massage soothes a fussy baby by relaxing their muscles and promoting calmness. Apply soft, circular motions to massage your baby’s back, arms, legs, and feet. Some parents find that massaging their baby’s tummy in a clockwise direction relieves gas or digestive discomfort. Baby massage can be incorporated into your bedtime routine to relax your baby and signal that it’s time to sleep. Use baby-safe oil or lotion and avoid pressing too hard.
8. Try the “5 S’s” Method
Dr. Harvey Karp’s “5 S’s” method is a popular approach to calming newborn baby crying, especially those with colic. The method involves five steps as outlined below. Many parents find that combining these steps effectively soothes even the most fussy newborns.
- Swaddle your baby tightly to mimic the snug feeling of the womb.
- Side or stomach position: Hold your baby on their side or stomach (but always place them on their back to sleep).
- Shush: Make a shushing sound near your baby’s ear to recreate the sounds they heard in the womb.
- Swing: Use gentle rocking or swaying motions to calm your baby.
- Suck: Offer a pacifier or allow your baby to suck on their thumb.
Understanding and Managing Colic
Colic is a condition that affects some babies, causing long periods of intense newborn baby crying that’s difficult to soothe. While colic usually starts 2-3 weeks of age and resolves by 3-4 months, making nighttime especially challenging for parents. The symptoms are:
- Intense, high-pitched crying that lasts for at least three hours a day, three days a week, for three weeks or more
- Crying seems to happen at the same time each day, often in the evening
- Difficulty calming your baby, even after trying different soothing techniques
- Your baby appears to be in pain, often pulling their legs up to their chest or clenching their fists
How to Soothe a Colicky Baby
If your baby has colic, soothing them can be challenging, but there are steps to manage the symptoms:
- Hold your baby upright after feeding to reduce the amount of air they swallow.
- Use anti-colic bottles if you’re bottle-feeding to minimize gas and discomfort.
- Try gas relief drops (with your pediatrician’s approval) to reduce gas buildup.
- Keep a calm environment with minimal noise and dim lighting during colic episodes.
Colic is a phase and will eventually pass. However, if you’re concerned about your newborn baby crying or if they’re not gaining weight or feeding well, consult your pediatrician for further advice.
When to Call Your Pediatrician
While most newborn baby crying at night is normal, there are times when you should contact your pediatrician. If any of the following symptoms accompany your newborn crying, seek medical advice:
- Fever in babies under 3 months old (a rectal temperature of 100.4°F or higher)
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Difficulty breathing or wheezing
- Lethargy or unusual sleepiness
- Refusal to eat or difficulty feeding
- A rash that doesn’t fade with pressure
Trust your instincts—if something doesn’t seem right, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor. Early intervention prevents complications and ensures your baby is healthy.
Manage Newborn Baby Crying at Night with Confidence and Ease
Calming a newborn baby crying at night can be one of the most challenging aspects of early parenthood, but with the right tools and techniques, you can create a soothing environment that helps your baby sleep more soundly. Crying is a normal part of newborn life, and it’s your baby’s way of communicating their needs.
As you experiment with different methods to calm your baby, you’ll learn what works best for them. Every baby is different, so be patient with yourself and your little one. Before long, you’ll develop a routine that helps everyone get more rest. You’re the champion in navigating the early days and months of parenthood!
