When babies cry, they are trying to alert you to something they need. And although it can be worrying or frustrating, it’s easy to do something about it when you know the possible reasons behind their tears.

Crying is a newborn baby's primary means of communication. If your baby is happy and content, you can generally assume they do not need anything from you. But when they do cry, they are trying to let you know they need your help in the only way they can.

It is hard to know what a baby is trying to communicate when they cry – but luckily, with young babies, the possibilities are not endless.

Why Is My Baby Crying?

When a baby cries, they are probably telling you they are feeling one of the following:

Why Babies Cry: Pain

Is your baby teething? An inevitable part of a baby’s life between the ages of three to nine months is the distress caused by teething. Symptoms can include sore and swollen inflamed gums, flushed cheeks, disrupted sleep patterns and a slightly elevated temperature. You can help by giving your baby a teething gel or treatment to soothe sore gums, or by giving your baby a chilled carrot or teething ring to chew on. Don’t rub aspirin or whisky on the gums – it’s an old wives’ tale that these are effective, and could be harmful.

Why Babies Cry: Hunger

Is your baby due a feed? Every baby has different feeding routines and a late/missed feed can be a powerful catalyst for tears. If you are sticking to your routine but your baby continually cries due to hunger, try increasing the volume of milk they are consuming or if you are using formula, try using one designed for hungry babies.

Why Babies Cry: Feeling Uncomfortable

Just like adults, babies can become distressed when they are uncomfortable. Wind can be a common cause so make sure your baby is winded properly after feeding. Irritated bottoms can also cause tears. Make sure your baby’s nappy is changed regularly and if they are particularly sensitive to nappy rash, apply a barrier cream after every change.

Why Babies Cry: Over-tired

When babies become over-tired, they find it harder to fall off asleep and can become very distressed. You need to watch your baby closely for signals that they are tired: some babies rub their eyes, while others will fidget or stare off into space. The moment you see the signs of tiredness put them down and they should fall asleep easily and quickly.

Why Babies Cry: Under the Weather

Most children average between six and ten colds per year because their immune systems are not fully developed, making them more vulnerable to illness. If your child is younger than three months, you should visit the doctor at the first sign of illness, particularly if your baby has a high fever or a cough. No medicine will make a virus go away faster, but you can help your baby feel better and prevent the infection from getting worse by making sure they get plenty of rest and liquids. Be very careful when it comes to cough syrups though - six cough remedies for babies and young children have recently been banned from being sold for under-2s after the Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency ruled that they could be extremely dangerous if taken incorrectly. To find out more, Click Here.

Some products that could help: homeopathic teething remedy Nelsons Teetha, £4.80; nappy cream Nelsons Smootha, £3.89; and homeopathic cough syrup Nelsons Sootha, £3.89, all available from Boots, Holland and Barrett and Lloyds pharmacies. Always read the label.