What's a Normal Amount of Crying?

There is a huge range of normal crying in babies through the first 12 weeks of life. At one end, a baby will barely fuss, fall asleep easily and feed on a predictable pattern. At the other extreme is the baby who wakes screaming, sleeps inconsistently and feeds on a random schedule.

Although all babies cry, when crying becomes more frequent or lasts hours, some parents may wonder if they should be worried it’s something more serious.

It’s always distressing for parents when they see their baby crying, but it’s a normal response. Infants have a cry reflex — it’s their first verbal communication. They’re just releasing tension and it’s a normal behavioral activity.

Crying is a normal behavior that can happen daily, at least for the first few months. Although it is stressful for parents, the trick is to remember it will get better.

Everyday Crying

Babies lack the skills to self soothe, so until they're 3 months old, they cry more. It’s very normal for there to be some daily fussiness. Crying up to three hours a day is still within a normal range.

When your baby is around 3 months old, the crying likely will decrease to one hour or less a day, although some babies may cry regularly until they are 5 months of age.

“It’s not the parent’s fault the baby cries, it’s just a phase the baby has to go through. But, parents do still need to distinguish between normal crying and a sick baby. If your baby has a temperature, see your pediatrician right away.”

Calming and Soothing

Getting to know what your baby likes is the best way to find how to calm and soothe them. Some babies cry because they're overstimulated. In those cases, a calmer environment may help soothe them. But other babies will cry because they want more stimulation.

Try different holding techniques to soothe a crying baby, including skin-to-skin contact, hugging, stroking the baby’s head, patting their back or chest, carrying and walking the baby in your arms, and burping to relieve any trapped gas bubbles.

If holding doesn’t help, try talking or singing to the baby, playing soft music or rhythmic noises and vibrations. A warm bath may also help. If your baby is 2 months old or younger, swaddling in a receiving blanket is a good strategy.

The Myth of Spoiled Babies

You may have heard a baby will be “spoiled” if they're held too much or if parents respond too quickly to crying, but research disproves these old wives’ tales. How fast you respond to your baby’s crying is just as important for reducing daily fussiness as how you respond.

Studies have found that babies who cry less are the ones who are carried more — even when they’re happy or asleep. Responding promptly to a baby’s cries results in less crying and a more confident and independent child, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Holding, rocking or feeding your baby as often as needed is exactly the right approach.

Crying Too Much

If a baby cries suddenly, for no apparent reason and is inconsolable, parents have a tendency to panic and jump to the conclusion that excessive crying is colic.

Colic is hard and uncontrollable crying that lasts for more than three hours a day, more than three days a week, in an otherwise healthy baby. It usually occurs late in the afternoon or early evening when parents are also tired. The causes of colic are mostly a mystery and the effectiveness of treatments varies from baby to baby.

Excessive crying that lasts longer than three hours a day is suspicious for colic. But research from child development experts like Ronald Barr, M.D., suggests that most of these babies are in the Period of PURPLE crying, not colic.

PURPLE is an acronym that describes characteristics of normal crying during this phase of development: peak of crying, unexpected, resists soothing, pain-like face, long-lasting and evening. It’s called a “period” to emphasize that this phase is only temporary.

Crying is part of a healthy baby’s development, but if you feel your baby is crying too much, you should check with your pediatrician. There is always a possibility your baby could have GERD (acid indigestion), food allergies or lactose intolerance.

A Note on Breastfeeding

Sometimes the diet of a breastfeeding mom may contribute to her baby’s fussiness. It can help to keep a food diary and see if you can spot a relationship. Your doctor may also recommend you cut dairy products, spicy foods and gassy foods like cabbage and broccoli.

If endless breastfeeding seems to be the only way to calm your baby, you might want to see a lactation consultant to make sure breastfeeding is going well. A little hunger can cause a lot of fussing.