Why Is My Baby Crying at Night? Common Causes and Soothing Tips
Your baby is crying at night and you are exhausted, worried and unsure what they need. This page covers the most common reasons and walks through what you can try, step by step.
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It is normal and it does not mean you are doing anything wrong
Babies cry. It is their main way of telling you something. At night, when you are tired and the house is quiet, the crying can feel louder and harder to handle. But a crying baby is not a sign that you are failing. It is a sign that your baby is working as designed.
Newborns and young babies have tiny stomachs and short sleep cycles. They wake often. They also have a strong need for closeness and comfort. Many parents find that night crying peaks around six to eight weeks and then gradually changes as the baby grows. If you want a clearer picture of what counts as typical crying in the earliest weeks, the page on What normal crying in newborns looks like goes into more detail.
Common reasons babies cry at night
There is usually a reason, though it is not always obvious. Here are the most frequent ones.
- Hunger. This is the most common cause. Young babies need to feed every two to three hours, sometimes more. If your baby is under four months old, night feeding is expected. Even older babies may go through growth spurts and need extra feeds for a few days.
- Gas or tummy discomfort. A baby's digestive system is immature. Swallowing air during feeds, or simply having gas move through the gut, can cause pain. You might hear a high-pitched cry or see the baby pull their legs up.
- A wet or dirty nappy. Some babies are very sensitive to this. Others do not mind. A quick check rules it out.
- Too hot or too cold. Babies cannot regulate their temperature well. Feel the back of their neck to check. If it is sweaty or clammy, remove a layer. If it feels cool, add one.
- Overstimulation or overtiredness. A day full of visitors, bright lights or new experiences can leave a baby unable to settle. By evening, they are exhausted and crying because they cannot switch off. This is sometimes called the "witching hour."
- Teething pain. This usually starts around four to seven months. The gums are sore, and the discomfort can be worse at night when the baby is lying still.
- Separation anxiety. This tends to appear around eight to ten months. Your baby understands you are a separate person and may cry when they realise you are not there, even if they were fine when you put them down.
- A need for comfort. Sometimes the baby is not hungry, wet, hot or in pain. They just need to be held. This is not spoiling them. It is normal.
Gentle steps to try, one at a time
When you are in the middle of a night crying, it helps to have a short mental checklist. Try one thing at a time and give it a few minutes before moving to the next.
- Pick the baby up. Before you do anything else, hold them. Many babies settle just from being close to you.
- Offer a feed. If it has been two hours or more, hunger is likely. Even if it has been less, a small top-up can help if the baby is going through a growth spurt.
- Check the nappy. Do this quickly. If it is dry and clean, move on.
- Check temperature. Add or remove a layer. A room thermometer can help, but your hand on the back of the neck is usually enough.
- Try gentle movement. Walk around the room, rock in a chair, or sway while holding the baby upright. Motion is calming for most babies.
- Use gentle sound. White noise, a fan, a shushing sound close to the ear, or a quiet lullaby can help. The sound should be steady, not loud.
- Offer a dummy or finger to suck. Sucking is soothing even when the baby is not hungry.
- Try a different position. Hold the baby against your chest, tummy-down along your forearm, or over your shoulder. Sometimes a change of angle helps gas move.
If none of these work after ten or fifteen minutes, it is okay to put the baby down in a safe place, step away for five minutes, and take a breath. You can come back and try again. A crying baby in a safe cot is fine for a few minutes while you collect yourself.
What about sleep training and settling methods
There is a lot of advice about sleep training, and it can be confusing. Some families find that a gentle, gradual approach works well. Others prefer to respond quickly every time. There is no single right way. What matters is that the method fits your family and that you feel okay about it.
If you are wondering how much sleep your baby actually needs at their age, the page on How Much Sleep Do Babies and Toddlers Need can give you a realistic sense of what to expect. It may help you see that night waking is normal at many stages.
One thing to keep in mind: if you are exhausted and frustrated, that is not a sign you are weak. It is a sign you are a parent of a young baby. It is very hard.
How it can look in different families and cultures
In many parts of the world, babies sleep in the same room or the same bed as their parents, and night crying is met with immediate feeding or holding. In other settings, there is more pressure to have the baby sleep alone in a separate room from an early age. Both approaches have trade-offs.
A widower in Glasgow might be trying to manage night crying alone with no one to take over for an hour. An imam's wife in Birmingham might have extended family nearby who help at night, but also more opinions about what she should be doing. A sixty-year-old man in Peshawar who is raising his grandchild might be doing it without much information and with a different set of expectations about crying.
Your situation is your own. The core needs of the baby are the same, but the resources, support and cultural norms around you make a real difference. If you are getting conflicting advice from family, it can help to pick one source you trust and stick with that approach for a few days to see if it helps.
When to get professional help
If the crying is constant and you are worried something is medically wrong, see your GP or family doctor. They can check for reflux, a milk allergy, an ear infection or other physical causes. If you are struggling with your own mental health because of the sleep loss and stress, that is also something to talk to a doctor about. Postnatal anxiety and depression are common and treatable.
Fatima, a mother of a three-month-old, came to see me after weeks of her baby crying every night from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. She was sure she was doing something wrong. It turned out her baby had mild reflux, and a simple change in feeding position and keeping the baby upright after feeds made a big difference. She also had severe anxiety herself, and getting support for that helped her manage the crying nights better.
If you feel you need more support, you can talk to your GP about local services, or look for a therapist who works with new parents. Therapy O'Clock has a directory of professionals you can search by location and speciality. You can also look for parenting support groups, either in person or online, where other parents are going through the same thing.
For reliable general information on infant health and development, the World Health Organization has resources on child health. If you are in the UK, the NHS mental health pages cover postnatal mental health. In Australia, healthdirect offers guidance on baby care and when to see a doctor.
Questions people ask
Is it normal for my baby to cry every night at the same time?
Yes, many babies have a predictable fussy period, often in the evening. This can be a normal part of their development and does not necessarily mean something is wrong.
How long should I let my baby cry before picking them up?
There is no set time. Many parents prefer to respond quickly. If you need a moment, it is safe to put the baby down for five minutes while you take a break.
Can my baby cry because of a nightmare?
Very young babies do not have nightmares. Older babies and toddlers can have night terrors, which are different from regular crying and usually resolve on their own.
Does feeding at night create a bad habit?
No. Night feeding is normal for young babies. It only becomes a concern if it continues past the age when the baby no longer needs it, and even then, it is a habit you can gently change.
Why does my baby cry more when I am holding them than when I put them down?
Some babies are overstimulated and need less input. Try a calm, quiet hold without bouncing or talking. Sometimes the baby just needs to be held still.
Can teething start before four months?
It is possible but uncommon. Most babies start teething between four and seven months. If your baby is younger, check other causes first.
Should I call the doctor if my baby cries for more than an hour?
If the crying is intense and does not respond to soothing, and you are worried, it is reasonable to call your doctor or a health visitor. Trust your instinct.
Is it okay to let my baby cry while I use the toilet or make a bottle?
Yes. Putting a baby down safely for a few minutes while you attend to your own needs is fine and does not harm them.
Why does my baby cry less when my partner holds them?
Babies can sense your tension. If you are stressed, the baby may pick up on it. Your partner may hold the baby differently or smell different, which can be calming.
Does swaddling help with night crying?
For some babies, yes. Swaddling can reduce the startle reflex and help them feel secure. Stop swaddling once the baby shows signs of rolling over.
Can I give my baby medicine for teething pain?
You can ask your doctor or pharmacist about age-appropriate options. Do not give any medication without checking with a professional first.
What if my baby only settles when I walk and stops as soon as I sit down?
That is very common. Movement is deeply calming for babies. If it is exhausting you, try a rocking chair or a baby carrier so you can move while resting your arms.