crying baby
VIDEOPREGNANCY

Why Babies Cry and How to Respond

October 18, 2022

Crying is a baby’s way of telling you how they’re feeling and what they need. In this video, Heidi Murkoff, creator of What to Expect, helps new parents decode different baby cries.

According to Murkoff, there are five common reasons why a baby will cry: Hunger, pain, boredom, being tired, or feeling sick. She talks about the specific sounds a baby tends to make for each of these, as well as some cues that can help you understand what your baby needs or wants.

You’ll also learn a few simple strategies to help you to soothe a crying baby. This includes how to respond to them so they feel reassured, how to figure out what’s wrong, and quick fixes like a diaper change.

When your baby cries, they’re communicating with you. They may be hungry, need comfort, need to burp, or something else. You may have to try a few things to figure out exactly what they’re saying.