Heidi Skudder is one of the UK’s top early childhood parenting coaches. In this article, we asked her to walk us through the most common reasons babies cry – and to share advice on how to better understand what your little one is trying to communicate.
As a new parent, one of the most overwhelming sounds is your baby’s crying. That is because our nervous system is wired to interpret crying as a sign of danger, which explains why it can quickly make you feel stressed, anxious, or emotionally unsettled.
While the purpose of this article is to help you better understand what your baby’s cry mean, it can also be helpful to take a moment to recognize your own emotions and responses.
How you react to your baby’s crying can be influenced by a variety of factors, such as:
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Birth-related trauma: your birth experience can affect how you respond to your baby’s crying.
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Your path to parenthood: fertility struggles can shape how you feel about being a parent and may heighten your desire to protect your baby.
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Your sensitivity to sound: some parents are more sensitive to loud noises than others.
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Your parenting style: Both your own parenting style and your upbringing influence how you react to your baby’s crying.
Baby cry meaning – understanding what your baby is trying to express
When you first become a parent, it can be hard to figure out why your baby is crying – and that is completely normal. In the early days, your baby’s needs are few, so you can go through the list one step at a time to see what they might need in that moment. And do not worry if you get it wrong sometimes.
Baby cry: sounds and meaning
Hungry
One of the most common reasons babies cry in the early weeks is because they are hungry. You might be surprised by how often your baby needs to eat – usually every couple of hours (sometimes even more frequently!) Offering a feed can often help calm and comfort your baby.
Tired
Young babies (0–3 months) can usually only stay awake for about 1 to 1.5 hours before they need to sleep again. If your baby is awake for too long, they may become overtired, making it harder for them to fall asleep. Learning about "awake windows" can help you recognize when it is time for a nap.
Discomfort
It is completely normal for babies to cry, but if your baby seems to be crying excessively, it may be related to physical discomfort. This type of cry is often high-pitched, and your baby might arch their back in response. If this is the case, it’s a good idea to seek professional support to help identify the cause.
Teething
Growing new teeth can be an uncomfortable process, and your baby’s crying may be a response to that discomfort. While teething usually begins around six months, some babies start earlier. Teething cries are often low-level, grumbly, and consistent, rather than sharp or high-pitched. Your baby might also become clingier and seek extra comfort. If you think your baby is teething, teething toys or gels may help soothe them.
Baby cry is communication – give yourself time to learn what they need
Keep in mind that there could be lots of other reasons why your baby is crying – they might be overstimulated, too hot or too cold or experiencing separation anxiety.
When your baby cries, they are trying to tell you something. Since they cannot talk yet, crying is their way of letting you know they need something. It takes time and confidence to understand your baby’s cry and what it means. Be kind to yourself as you learn, and do not hesitate to reach out to a professional if you need support.
About Heidi
Heidi Skudder
Early childhood parenting coach & BioGaia Ambassador
Heidi Skudder, one of the UK’s top early childhood parenting coaches, founded Positively Parenthood (formerly The Parent and Baby Coach) to offer compassionate, experience-based support to new parents. With a background in psychology, hands-on childcare, and over ten years of sleep and behavior coaching, Heidi has helped thousands of families confidently navigate the early years.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to substitute professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have about a medical condition.
