Some babies cry more than others. Some might cry up to a total of 2–3 hours in a day. But that doesn't always mean there's a problem. Because your baby cried more than you felt was OK, the health care provider carefully checked your baby and didn't find anything wrong. It's safe for you to care for your baby at home.

• Never shake, hit, throw, or drop your baby. This can cause injury, including brain damage, or death. Make sure that everyone who cares for your baby knows this.
• Babies sometimes cry to show they are uncomfortable or need something. When your baby cries:
  • Check if your baby is hungry.
  • Try burping your baby.
  • Check your baby's diaper.
  • Look for signs of illness, like fever.
  • Check the whole body for changes, including the fingers and toes. Sometimes a hair can get wrapped around one and cause swelling and redness.
• Even a baby who's not hungry, tired, or uncomfortable might still cry or have fussy periods. To soothe a crying baby:
  • Sing or talk to your baby.
  • Turn on background noise, such as a white noise machine, fan, vacuum cleaner, a running faucet, or TV or radio on low volume.
  • Rock or walk with your baby.
  • Offer your baby a pacifier.
  • Swaddle your baby, following the instructions your health care provider gave you.
  • Take the baby for a ride in a stroller or strapped into a child safety seat in the car.
  • Hold your baby close against your body and breathe calmly and slowly.
• All parents sometimes feel overwhelmed or upset after they have tried to comfort their baby, but the baby keeps crying. If you become frustrated, you can:
  • Ask a friend or relative to watch the baby for a while.
  • Put your baby down in the crib, close the door, and go to the next room. Check on your baby every 10 minutes.
  • Call 800-4-A-CHILD (800-422-4453) to talk to a counselor for free. 
• Alcohol and drugs (including many prescription medicines) can affect your judgment. Do not drink alcohol or take sedating drugs while caring for your baby.

• Your baby cries a lot more than usual, or the crying seems different.
• You think your baby is sick.
• Your baby has a fever.
• You are frustrated with your baby.
• You're afraid you might hurt your baby.

You think your baby is injured or that someone might have hurt your baby.

Can you spoil a crying baby? No, babies are too young to be spoiled. Babies often communicate with crying, which tells caregivers that a baby needs attention. When a caregiver comforts a baby, it helps the baby feel secure. Trying to soothe a crying baby is the right thing to do.

Does my baby have colic? When a healthy baby cries for more than 3 hours a day, more than 3 days a week, a health care provider may say the baby has colic. Babies with colic don't have any known medical problems, and they eat and grow well. But they cry in spells that often happen at the same time of day, usually in the early evening, and might be hard to soothe. The calming tips recommended above can help whether a baby's crying pattern fits the definition of colic or not. Babies who cry a lot usually get calmer after 3 to 4 months of age.

What else can I do?

• Joining a support group for new parents can help you learn ways to deal with any challenges. Ask your health care provider about groups in your area. 
• The online program "All Babies Cry" (allbabiescry.com) helps people learn how to soothe a baby and cope with crying.