1. Hungry

Hunger is the most common reason a healthy newborn cries. The hungry cry usually has a low, rhythmic quality and rises quickly if unmet. Body language pairs strongly with it: rooting, hand-to-mouth motion, and turning toward your chest. In the first six weeks, expect a hungry cry every two to three hours.

2. Tired

A tired cry is whinier, more breathy, often paired with yawning, eye-rubbing, and a faraway gaze. The most useful thing to know is the wake window. Newborns can usually stay awake comfortably for 45 to 60 minutes; older babies for two to three hours. Tired cries are easier to prevent than to soothe.

3. Gas, burp, or discomfort

Gassy cries are short and punctuated, with leg pulling, arching, and fussing during or right after a feed. Try an upright hold against your shoulder and gentle back pats. A check of the diaper, clothing tags, and room temperature covers most other discomforts.

4. Pain

Pain cries are sudden, sharp, loud, and often have a longer breath-hold before the next wail. If pain cries persist, check temperature, look for any rashes or unusual swelling, and call your paediatrician. Pain cries that come and go in a predictable rhythm are sometimes a sign of colic.

5. Overstimulation or attention

Some cries are conversational. They are how your baby tells you the room is too loud, the light too bright, or that they want to be held. Lowering stimulation — dim lights, soft voices, a calm hold — often resolves these within minutes.

When to call the doctor

Trust your instinct over any app or article. Call your paediatrician if your baby has a fever, refuses feeds, is unusually limp, or you simply feel something is wrong. The categories above describe most cries, not all of them.