All babies cry, especially in the first few weeks after birth. Crying is their way of letting you know they need something or are uncomfortable. They may need changing, they may be hungry or just need a cuddle. Always burp your baby after a feed as this will help.
Look out for signs that your baby is trying to tell you they are hungry. Early signs are things like putting their hands to their mouth, becoming restless and stretching. By recognising these cues you may avoid hunger crying altogether and the need to calm baby down before a feed.
Colic
If your baby cries suddenly and often, but they otherwise appear to be happy and healthy, they may have colic. Colic is common and although uncomfortable it is not serious and usually affects babies only in the first few months of their lives. The most common symptom of colic is continuous crying, which typically occurs in the late afternoon or evening. Other signs include a flushed appearance, drawing their legs to their chest, clenching fists, passing wind and trouble sleeping.
You can also seek advice about excessively crying or sleepless children from the support group Cry-sis, which has a website (available at www.cry-sis.org.uk) and a national telephone helpline (0845 122 8669).