Newborns Not Crying: What's Normal And What's Not?

A newborn's cry is often considered the first sign of life, but not all newborns cry. Crying involves the coordination of several complex elements, including the musculoskeletal and respiratory systems, and is a natural response to the discomfort of leaving the warmth of the womb and entering a cold hospital room. While some newborns cry within the first two weeks of their lives, others are still sleepy and adapting to life outside the womb.

Some newborns may not cry due to short labour, C-section delivery, or the mother's pain medication, which can interfere with the hormonal shifts that initiate breathing. In such cases, medical staff may need to stimulate the baby's skin or rub their back to encourage breathing and crying.

While crying is a normal behavioural activity, it can be distressing for parents. On average, babies cry for around two hours a day in the first six weeks, with crying decreasing to about one hour a day by 10 to 12 weeks.

If a newborn does not cry, medical professionals will assess the baby's heart rate, breathing, muscle performance, skin colour, and reflexes to determine if there are any underlying medical issues that require urgent attention.

Crying is the first sign of life for a newborn

The first sign of life and survival is the sound of a newborn's cry after birth. Crying involves the musculoskeletal and respiratory systems, and the coordination of the face muscles, mouth, chin, oesophagus, bronchial tubes, and lungs. The first breath results from hormonal reactions that help empty the fluid from the lungs so that they can take in air. The first breaths cause lung expansion and fluid expulsion into the circulatory and lymphatic systems. It takes a few breaths to regulate the oxygen and carbon dioxide and get the blood circulating through the lungs. Some newborns need help, so neonatal staff may massage the skin to stimulate breathing. The vigorous skin rubbing can encourage crying.

When newborns leave the warmth of the womb and enter a cold hospital room, they experience discomfort that causes them to cry to breathe and expel fluids. This is why babies who are instantly placed on their mother's belly may not cry since they are warm and content. So long as their heart rate is stable and they are breathing normally, newborns do not have to cry to show a healthy adaptation to the world. A baby's quiet arrival may mean they do not know how to cry yet, or there may be other benign reasons for their silence.

Newborns cry to communicate their needs, such as hunger, illness, fatigue, or discomfort. Crying is a normal behavioural activity and a healthy response. It can happen daily, especially in the first few months. Babies lack the skills to self-soothe, so until 3 months of age, they cry more. It is normal for there to be some daily fussiness, and crying up to three hours a day is still within a normal range.

Getting to know what a baby likes is the best way to calm and soothe them. Some babies cry because they are overstimulated and need a calmer environment. Others may cry because they want more stimulation. Try different holding techniques, including skin-to-skin contact, hugging, stroking the baby's head, patting their back or chest, carrying and walking the baby in your arms, and burping to relieve any trapped gas. If holding doesn't help, try talking or singing to the baby, playing soft music or rhythmic noises and vibrations, or giving them a warm bath. If your baby is 2 months old or younger, swaddling in a receiving blanket is a good strategy.

When to be concerned about a newborn not crying

If a newborn does not cry, it may alert the doctor to examine the baby for problems. An investigation and Apgar testing right after birth can measure breathing, heart rate, muscle performance, skin colour, and reflexes. This can reveal underlying medical issues that need urgent attention. A delayed cry accompanied by other emergency signs may indicate a serious condition, and the baby should be given immediate medical attention.

A newborn's cry indicates healthy lungs

The cry of a newborn baby is a powerful sound, often eagerly anticipated by parents and medical staff alike. But why is it that a baby's cry is so important?

The science behind a baby's cry

Crying is a complex action, involving the coordination of several elements: the musculature of the face, airways, and the respiratory system. A baby's first cry after birth results from hormonal reactions that help to empty the fluid from their lungs so they can breathe air. This first breath causes lung expansion and fluid expulsion into the circulatory and lymphatic systems. It takes a few breaths to regulate oxygen and carbon dioxide and get the blood circulating through the lungs.

When a newborn enters the world, they are exposed to cold air and a new environment, which often triggers them to cry. This cry helps to expand their lungs and expel amniotic fluid and mucus. The first official cry of a newborn indicates that their lungs are working properly, and this is why it is often a moment of celebration and relief for those in the delivery room.

If a newborn doesn't cry immediately after birth, it doesn't necessarily mean that something is wrong. A delayed cry can be due to various factors, such as a difficult delivery or a nuchal cord. In such cases, doctors may try to stimulate the baby's first cry by drying them off or suctioning fluid out of their mouth and nose. However, if a delayed cry is accompanied by other emergency signs, immediate medical attention is required.

The Apgar score

The Apgar score is used to evaluate a newborn's health and includes criteria such as appearance (skin colour), pulse (heart rate), grimace (reflex irritability/response), activity (muscle tone), and respiration (breathing ability). Each criterion is scored from 0 to 2, with a total score of 7-10 considered normal but still warranting monitoring.

Crying as a form of communication

Crying is a baby's first form of verbal communication, and it is their way of releasing tension and expressing their needs. As babies lack the skills to self-soothe, they cry more frequently, especially in the first three months of life. It is common for babies to cry up to three hours a day during this period. As they get older, they may cry less as they develop other ways to communicate their needs.

Soothing a crying baby

Different techniques can be used to soothe a crying baby, such as skin-to-skin contact, hugging, stroking their head, patting their back, carrying them, and burping to relieve gas bubbles. Creating a calm environment and playing soft music or rhythmic noises can also help. For babies two months or younger, swaddling in a receiving blanket can be comforting.

When to be concerned

While crying is a normal part of a baby's development, excessive crying that lasts longer than three hours a day could be a sign of colic or other underlying issues. If you are concerned about your baby's crying, it is always best to consult with a healthcare professional.

Crying involves the coordination of complex elements

Crying is a complex phenomenon involving the coordination of various physiological and psychological elements. It is a response to an emotional state or physical pain, and serves as a form of nonverbal communication. While the act of crying is universal, the experience of emotion can be highly subjective and influenced by individual factors such as culture and personal interpretation.

Crying involves the coordination of the musculoskeletal and respiratory systems. When a baby cries, there is a complex interplay of facial muscles, mouth opening, quivering chin, esophagus, bronchial tubes, and lungs. This coordination begins in the womb, with fetuses as young as 20 to 28 weeks gestation displaying crying behaviours in response to sound and vibration stimulation through the mother's belly. The act of crying helps empty the fluid from the lungs, allowing newborns to breathe air and adapt to life outside the womb.

The first breath of a newborn is triggered by hormonal reactions that facilitate the expulsion of fluid from the lungs. This process causes lung expansion and the expulsion of fluid into the circulatory and lymphatic systems. It takes several breaths to regulate oxygen and carbon dioxide levels and establish proper blood circulation through the lungs. The effort of these initial breaths is significant, and some newborns require assistance. Medical staff may stimulate breathing by vigorously rubbing the baby's skin, which can also encourage crying.

The transition from the warm womb to the cold hospital room can also cause discomfort, triggering crying as the newborn adjusts to breathing and expelling fluids in the outside environment. Additionally, factors such as short labour, C-section delivery, and the mother's pain medication can interfere with the hormonal shifts that initiate breathing, potentially resulting in a newborn who is sleepy and requires assistance with breathing.

While crying is a critical sign of life and survival, not all newborns cry immediately after birth. Some babies may need time to adjust to the outside world, and their silence does not necessarily indicate a medical issue. However, a lack of crying can also be a sign of underlying conditions or birth injuries, and vigilant medical professionals will closely monitor the newborn's vital signs and reflexes to ensure their health and well-being.

A delayed cry may not indicate an unhealthy baby

A baby's first cry is often considered the first sign of life, but it is not uncommon for newborns not to cry. Crying involves the coordination of several complex elements, including the musculature of the face, airways, and the respiratory system. While a baby's cry indicates that their lungs are healthy, a delayed cry may not necessarily mean that the baby is unhealthy.

Reasons for a delayed cry

There are several reasons why a newborn may not cry immediately after birth. Short labour, C-section delivery, or the mother's pain medication may interfere with the hormonal shifts that initiate the breathing transition, resulting in a delayed cry. Additionally, a difficult delivery or a nuchal cord can also cause a delay. In such cases, doctors may try to stimulate the baby's first cry by drying them off or suctioning fluid out of their mouth and nose.

Evaluating a newborn's health

To evaluate a newborn's health, doctors use the Apgar score, which assesses Appearance (skin colour), Pulse (heart rate), Grimace (reflex irritability/response), Activity (muscle tone), and Respiration (breathing ability). A score of 7-10 is considered normal, but even within this range, monitoring is recommended. If a delayed cry is accompanied by other emergency signs, such as a low Apgar score, immediate medical attention is required.

Crying patterns in the first few weeks

In the first two weeks of life, newborns tend not to cry much as they are still sleepy and adapting to life outside the womb. After this period, they may cry more frequently, sometimes for up to three hours a day, as they seek attention or express discomfort. This can be a challenging time for parents, who may feel anxious and unsure of how to soothe their baby.

Soothing a crying baby

There are various techniques to soothe a crying baby, including skin-to-skin contact, hugging, stroking their head, patting their back or chest, carrying and walking them, and burping to relieve gas bubbles. Creating a calm environment and playing soft music or rhythmic noises can also help. Additionally, holding and cuddling a baby throughout the day can reduce their crying and build a strong bond of trust.

When to be concerned

While crying is a normal part of a baby's development, excessive crying that lasts longer than three hours a day may indicate colic or other underlying issues. If you are concerned about your baby's crying, it is important to consult your paediatrician or healthcare provider.

A newborn may cry due to hunger or illness

It is normal for newborns not to cry immediately after birth. There are several reasons for this, including a short labour, C-section delivery, or the mother's pain medication. However, a newborn's cry is often considered the first sign of life, so a baby that does not cry may indicate a problem and should be examined by a doctor.

A newborn may cry due to hunger:

Newborns feed frequently, often every 2-3 hours, and up to 12 times in 24 hours. Crying is usually a late sign of hunger, and babies will display several hunger cues before crying, such as:

• Being more awake and active
• Turning their head to the side or towards the breast/bottle
• Opening and closing their mouth
• Making sucking motions
• Clenching their fists
• Staring at their caregiver

A newborn may cry due to illness:

If a baby's cry does not sound like their normal cry, or they have other symptoms, this could indicate that they are ill. Other symptoms to look out for include a high temperature, a rash, or breathing difficulties. In this case, it is important to contact a health professional.

Other reasons for crying:

There are many other reasons why a newborn may cry, including:

• A dirty or wet nappy
• Being too hot or too cold
• Being overwhelmed or overstimulated
• Needing comfort and care

Frequently asked questions