For your entire pregnancy, your baby has known the warm, protected environment of the womb. Surrounded by amniotic fluid, they’ve grown accustomed to the rhythm of your heartbeat, the sounds of your body, and the sensation of constant movement. 

The outside world is brighter, louder, cooler and much more spacious, with new sensations, sounds and smells to process. It’s little wonder newborn babies can sometimes become unsettled.

The first few months after birth are often known as the fourth trimester: a period when your baby is adjusting to life outside the womb, while you’re adjusting to life together.

When your baby cries and you can’t immediately work out why, it can feel overwhelming, particularly when you’re tired and finding your feet as a new parent.

But crying is one of the main ways newborn babies communicate. They may be hungry, tired, uncomfortable, overstimulated or simply in need of closeness and reassurance.

Over time, you’ll begin to recognise signals before the crying starts. Look out for:

• Sleepiness: Rubbing their eyes, yawning or becoming less engaged.

• Trapped wind: Squirming, bringing their knees towards their chest or frowning.

• Hunger: Sucking their hands, licking their lips, chomping their lips together, clenching their fists, restlessness or rooting for a feed.

• Overstimulation: Arching their back, turning their head away or becoming particularly squirmy.

Many parents notice their baby becomes harder to settle during the late afternoon or evening. This is often called the ‘witching hour’, although it can last longer than an hour!

There isn’t always one clear reason. Your baby may be tired after processing the day, experiencing digestive discomfort or wanting to feed more frequently. In addition, their brains are developing really quickly at this stage, and sometimes they just want your closeness and reassurance.

If you’ve tried feeding, winding, changing and cuddling and your baby is still unhappy, you haven’t necessarily missed something. Sometimes babies simply need time, closeness and support as they settle.

Non-stop crying can be incredibly difficult, especially when you’re sleep-deprived and recovering from birth. A few techniques may help your baby settle.

• Swaddling: This can provide snug, womb-like comfort. Always follow current safer-sleep guidance from the lullaby trust, using only one thin breathable layer and ensure your baby doesn’t become too warm.

• Soothers: Sucking is a natural reflex that many babies find comforting. Choose a soother designed for your baby’s age.

• Sound machines: White noise can replicate some of the familiar whooshing sounds experienced in the womb.

Some babies love the movement of the car, while others find travelling overwhelming. You can try:

• Timing your journey: Align travel with your baby’s sleep/wake windows where possible. Feed, burp and change them before leaving.

• Reducing stimulation: A suitable window shade can reduce bright light, while white noise or the sound of the car may help them settle.

• Taking breaks: On longer journeys, stop regularly and take your baby out of their car seat, following current guidance for their age.

Just when you think you’ve found your rhythm, your baby may suddenly feed more often, sleep differently or want much more time in your arms. Periods of rapid growth and development can temporarily change their usual patterns.

During periods of development, try reducing stimulation by dimming lights and switching off screens. Extra cuddles, skin-to-skin contact and lullabies can also provide reassurance. Babywearing can be useful when your baby wants to stay close while allowing you more freedom to move.

During physical growth spurts, focus on:

• Responsive feeding: Babies may want to feed much more frequently, including periods of cluster feeding. This can be demanding, particularly when breastfeeding, so keep yourself hydrated and well-fed and seek support from your midwife or feeding specialist if you’re struggling.

• Warm baths and gentle massage: These can be a relaxing addition to your baby’s bedtime routine.

• Plenty of opportunities for sleep: Growth spurts can disrupt usual sleep patterns, so follow your baby’s tired cues and give them opportunities to rest.

Crying is a normal part of being a baby, but knowing that doesn’t necessarily make it easier when nothing seems to work.

If you’re becoming overwhelmed, or the crying is becoming stressful, place your baby somewhere safe, such as their cot or Moses basket, and give yourself a few moments to take a breathe, take a pause and come back to start again. Ask someone you trust to take over if this is available to you..

If your baby’s crying feels unusual, they seem unwell, you’re worried about them or something simply doesn’t feel right, seek advice from your midwife, health visitor, GP or NHS 111.

The fourth trimester is a big adjustment for both of you. You don’t need to have every answer immediately. Little by little, you’ll learn your baby’s signals, their favourite ways to be comforted and the routines that work for your family.

For now, plenty of reassurance, closeness and patience can help make their transition from womb to world feel a little gentler.

Want to find out more?

Join us at The Baby Show this Saturday, from 11:45am to 12:25pm on the Main Stage, where our experts will be exploring this topic in more detail.

We’d love to see you there!