Baby: Infant – Newborn – Toddler
Gas and crying in babies explained

Gas and crying in babies explained

Why gas is so common in babies Infant gas is part of normal early physiology. Babies feed frequently, coordinate sucking and swallowing, and may take in air during breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, pacifier use, or crying. Their abdominal muscles and intestinal motility are still developing, so moving air through the bowel can look dramatic: grunting, straining, facial […]

When colic starts and ends

When colic starts and ends

What clinicians mean by colic Colic usually refers to intense, repeated crying or fussiness in a young infant who otherwise appears healthy. Many clinicians think of colic as excessive crying that occurs without an obvious cause such as hunger, a wet diaper, fever, injury, or a clearly identifiable medical condition. Older descriptions used the “rule […]

Colic crying explained

Colic crying explained

What colic crying means Colic crying refers to recurrent, prolonged crying or fussing in a young infant who otherwise appears healthy. The classic research definition, often called Wessel’s “rule of three,” describes crying for more than three hours per day, on more than three days per week, for more than three weeks. In real clinical […]

How to soothe baby during colic

How to soothe baby during colic

Understanding colic without blaming yourself Colic is commonly used to describe repeated episodes of prolonged, intense crying in a young baby who otherwise appears well. It often peaks in the first weeks to months of life and usually improves with maturation. The crying may sound urgent or painful, and the baby may clench fists, draw […]

Pacifier for soothing baby explained

Pacifier for soothing baby explained

Why sucking can soothe a baby Newborns are born with a strong sucking reflex because feeding depends on it. But sucking is not only nutritional. Non-nutritive sucking, meaning sucking that is not intended to transfer milk or formula, can help some infants organize their nervous system. A baby who is tired, mildly overstimulated, or in […]

How to calm baby safely

How to calm baby safely

First, check whether your baby needs something specific Before trying a series of calming techniques, do a quick safety and comfort check. Babies cry because they are hungry, tired, overstimulated, under-stimulated, gassy, wet, too hot, too cold, or simply needing contact. They may also cry because of discomfort from tight clothing, a hair tourniquet around […]

Hunger crying vs other crying

Hunger crying vs other crying

Why crying is a late hunger cue Hunger crying is real, but it is rarely the first message a baby gives. Public health feeding guidance emphasizes that babies commonly show earlier hunger cues before crying. These include becoming more alert, opening the mouth, turning the head toward a breast or bottle, rooting, bringing hands to […]

Overstimulation crying explained

Overstimulation crying explained

What overstimulation crying means Overstimulation crying is crying that occurs when a baby is overwhelmed by sensory, social, or emotional input. Sensory input includes sound, light, touch, motion, temperature, smell, and visual activity. Social input includes faces, voices, play, and being handled by multiple people. Emotional input can include the baby sensing caregiver stress, changes […]

Why newborn cries so much

Why newborn cries so much

Crying is a newborn’s primary language A newborn cannot point to hunger, shift position independently, ask for warmth, or explain abdominal discomfort. Crying is therefore a biologically normal signal that recruits caregiver attention. In early infancy, the nervous system is immature: sleep-wake cycles are short, sensory regulation is still developing, and the baby moves rapidly […]

Newborn crying patterns explained

Newborn crying patterns explained

Why newborns cry so much Crying is a newborn’s main behavioral signal. In early life, the nervous system is immature, voluntary control is limited, and the baby cannot point to a problem, shift position effectively, or explain that a feed is needed. Crying therefore functions as a broad alarm: it draws an adult close enough […]