Coping with crying

All babies cry, and some more than others. Crying is your baby's way of telling you they need comfort and care. Sometimes it's easy to work out what they want, and sometimes it's not.

The most common reasons for crying are:

• hunger
• a dirty or wet nappy
• tiredness
• wanting a cuddle
• wind
• being too hot or too cold
• boredom
• overstimulation

There may be times of the day when your baby tends to cry a lot and comforting them is much more difficult. Early evening is the most common time for this to happen. This can be hard for you, as it's often the time when you're most tired.

Getting help with a crying baby

Talk to friends, family members and other new parents. They can remind you that this is normal, and it won't last forever. You can also call your health visitor on 0191 282 3319 or speak to your GP. 

There may be times when you feel like you can't cope. This is normal, and it doesn't make you a bad parent. Reach out and ask for help. 

If the crying is making you stressed, put your baby down somewhere they are safe, like the cot or the pram. Have a few minutes to yourself to calm down, and then go back to your baby.