My baby is crying

Some time to get to know each other

Don't worry: Almost all parents need some time to understand their baby's needs. Likewise, almost all babies need time to get used to the new big world around them and to become a bit more confident. Every now and then the usual tricks and standards don't help either — such as fresh diapers, milk, the airplane hold, singing, and cuddling. Then stay calm — and mentally look forward to the next little break. We have compiled for you the reasons why babies cry in the first months of life and how you can respond.

Crying: the communication of the first months

In most cases it has nothing to do with 'crying' in the strict sense when your baby loudly makes itself known. In its first months of life it is simply the only form of communication available to it. With high probability your baby, only a few weeks old, is not angry or sad, but is telling you through crying that it is hungry, its tummy feels uncomfortable, or that the diaper is full. As a rule you should respond to crying as directly as possible — but don't set yourself the goal of having your baby cry as little as possible: Even content babies cry to communicate.

Trust your instincts

Mein Baby weint | Baby weint an Mamas Brust

If your baby has ever loudly cried in public, in the supermarket, or on the bus, then you are probably very familiar with advice of all kinds. From 'It's probably hungry' to 'Those are teeth coming in, right?' to the classic 'Well, we used to let babies cry back then — it didn't hurt them.' Good advice from experienced parents at the right moment can be a great help. Basically you can assume that you are doing everything right if you 1.) pay close attention to your baby's signals and 2.) trust your instincts. This is not always easy in the first months, when uncertainty, exhaustion, and well-intentioned tips sometimes take over. But you will get to know your baby better quickly — and also the reasons it cries.

Checklist – common reasons for crying

Hunger: In the first weeks maybe every 1 ½ to 2 hours
Stomach pressure or tummy pain: Some babies swallow air when feeding or drink too much for their small stomach
Three-month colic: Persistent crying, especially in the evenings, probably due to tummy pain
Full diaper: Not all babies find a full diaper bothersome, but delicate skin quickly becomes irritated and sore
Diaper/clothing too tight: Sometimes the diaper presses on the tummy or the bodysuit cuts into the leg – that's uncomfortable for your baby
Tiredness: Many new experiences, voices, and sounds quickly exhaust the baby
Need for closeness: Every baby needs affection and physical contact: There is no such thing as 'too much' in the first months of life
Too warm/too cold: Cold hands or a damp hairline are not reliable signs — you can best check your baby's temperature at the nape of the neck
Pain/discomfort: If your baby cannot be soothed and you feel that it is ill or in pain, you should consult a pediatrician