Why Is My Baby Crying So Much? 12 Common Reasons by Age

All babies cry. It is their only way of telling you something, and sometimes that something is not obvious at all. Normal infant crying averages about two hours per day in the first six weeks and drops to about one hour per day by three to four months.

Newborn to 6 Weeks

Hunger is the most common reason newborns cry. Overstimulation, need for closeness, and gas or digestive discomfort round out the early causes.

6 Weeks to 3 Months: The Peak Crying Period

Crying naturally peaks around six weeks of age. About 17% to 25% of babies in the first six weeks meet the criteria for colic, which almost always resolves by three to four months. Evening fussiness and overtiredness are also common in this window.

3 to 6 Months

By three months, most babies cry significantly less. Boredom and frustration, teething discomfort, and disrupted routine become the new triggers.

6 to 12 Months

Separation anxiety starts around six to eight months — a healthy sign of attachment. Frustration with mobility (crawling, pulling up) is also common and temporary.

When to Call Your Pediatrician

Contact your doctor if your baby has a weak or high pitched cry that sounds different from usual, is refusing to eat, has fewer wet diapers than normal, has a fever, or seems unusually limp or difficult to wake.