Why is my baby crying? What are the most common reasons for a baby's tears?

A crying baby can be very upsetting for a parent, particularly a first time mother. But you must always remember that your baby’s tears are simply her way of communicating.

She can’t talk yet, so when she needs or wants something, she cries to get your attention. All you have to do, is try to figure out what that thing is. To help you find the answer, here are the seven most common reasons for a crying baby:

Hunger - this is the most likely cause of your baby's tears. Don’t assume that because she was fed an hour or two ago, she wont be hungry again. Babies can get hungry very quickly so always check if she wants to feed.

Thirst - often a baby may cry because she is thirsty. This is more likely to happen with bottle fed babies, particularly during the summer months.

Dirty nappy - some babies will cry if they are left too long in a dirty nappy.

Discomfort - if your baby is too hot or too cold, or even just lying in an uncomfortable position, she will cry to let you know. Check how she looks and how she feels, and then act accordingly.

Boredom - babies get bored just like grown ups, and they'll often cry just to get some kind of attention. If you haven’t got time to be with your baby every minute of the day, make use of a mobile for her cot, or if possible put her somewhere so she can see you. Often this baby to mother visional contact is all it takes to stop those tears.

Tiredness - babies will often cry when they become overtired. It’s just their way of telling you they want to go to sleep.

Pain - occasionally your baby will cry because she is in some kind of pain. In most cases this will either be colic or nappy rash.

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