Why Is My Baby Crying Even After Being Fed and Changed?
TL;DR: If your baby is crying even after being fed and changed, it’s often due to overtiredness, gas, overstimulation, or needing comfort. This post explains the most common causes and gentle ways to support your baby.
If you’ve just fed your baby, changed their diaper, and done everything you can think of, but they’re still crying, you are not alone. This is one of the most common obstacles new parents face, leaving them frustrated and scratching their heads.
Many parents worry that something must be wrong or that they are missing something important. In most cases, that is not true. Crying is a normal part of infancy, especially in the early months, and it does not always mean hunger or a dirty diaper.
Let’s walk through the most common reasons why babies cry even after being fed and changed, and what you can do to support them gently.
Is it normal for babies to cry?
Yes, crying is a normal form of communication for babies. During the first few months of life, many babies cry anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours per day. Some babies cry more in the late afternoon, while some cry in the evening, often referred to as the witching hour during those first few months of life.
The witching hour, or hours, usually happens between 6 pm and midnight and can be especially hard for parents who are already tired from a long day and sleepless nights. If your baby seems fussier during this time, it does not mean you are doing anything wrong.
Common reasons babies cry after being fed and changed
Hunger cues can be subtle
Hunger is usually the first thing parents think of when their baby cries. Early hunger cues can include rooting, lip smacking, bringing hands to the mouth, turning towards your breast if holding, and fussing before full crying begins.
Sometimes babies cry after a feeding because they were too tired or milk flow was off, therefore did not eat well, swallowed extra air, or are looking for comfort rather than more milk. Comfort sucking is very soothing for many babies and does not always mean they are still hungry or even consuming any milk if nursing.
2. Gas and tummy discomfort
Gas is very common in babies, especially in the early weeks. Babies swallow air while feeding, and that air can cause pressure and discomfort.
If your baby cries shortly after feeds, pulls their legs up, or seems uncomfortable when lying flat, gas may be part of the picture. Gentle movements like bicycle legs, holding your baby upright, or bringing their knees toward their belly can sometimes help relieve this discomfort.
If crying seems intense or painful, or happens consistently after feeds, it is always a good idea to check in with your pediatrician, as sometimes tummy issues can be related to other underlying things like possible allergies and reflux as well.
3. Needing to burp
Not all babies burp easily, but trapped air can make them uncomfortable. If your baby cries after feeding, a good burp may be all they need. Holding them upright, gently patting their back, or walking while burping can help release that air. For more information on how to burp your baby, please read this informative article from the Cleveland Clinic.
4. Overtiredness is often the missing piece
One of the most surprising causes of crying is overtiredness. Many parents expect a tired baby to fall asleep easily, but for babies, the opposite is often true.
When babies become overtired, their bodies release stress hormones that make it harder for them to settle. This can lead to increased crying, shorter naps, difficulty falling asleep, and frequent night wakings.
Signs of an overtired baby can include fussiness after play, short naps, fighting sleep, or crying that escalates quickly. Supporting sleep before your baby reaches this point can make a big difference.
If this sounds familiar, you may find my blog on signs of an overtired baby and how to break the cycle helpful.
5. Wanting closeness and comfort
Babies are wired for connection. They recognize your voice, your smell, and the sound of your heartbeat. Sometimes crying simply means your baby wants to be close to you.
Holding your baby, wearing them in a carrier, or offering skin-to-skin contact can be very calming for them. I know this goes against what your elders are probably telling you, “Don’t hold your baby too much or else they will get spoiled”. Well let me break the news by saying you CANNOT spoil a baby by holding them too much, especially in the early months. In fact, sometimes holding them more during the day may be your answer for better sleep at night.
6. Too much stimulation
Lights, sounds, visitors, and being passed around can quickly overwhelm a baby. When stimulation builds up, crying can be your baby’s way of saying they need a break.
A quiet room, dim lights, gentle holding, and a calm voice can help your baby reset and feel safe again. Once they have calmed down, you are welcome to take them back outside, but this time around, maybe put them in a carrier so they remain close, calm, and comforted.
7. Temperature discomfort
Babies are often more sensitive to temperature changes than adults. As a general rule, babies are comfortable wearing one more layer than you are.
If your baby feels chilly, such as during diaper changes or when wipes feel cold, they may cry to let you know. Checking their chest or back rather than their hands or feet can give you a better sense of their body temperature. You can also use sleep sacks while they sleep to add an extra layer of warmth and practice safe sleep. I also recommend keeping track of the temperature and humidity levels in their room by using something like this or a monitor like the Nanit. Aim for room temperatures around 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity levels to be around 50%.
8. Small discomforts that are easy to miss
It is always worth doing a quick check for things like hair wrapped around fingers or toes, scratchy clothing tags, tight diapers, or skin irritation. These small discomforts can feel very big to a baby, leading them to cry even after being fed and changed.
9. Teething or reflux
Teething discomfort can begin earlier than many parents expect, and reflux can also cause crying, especially after feeds or when lying flat. For teething relief, the easiest thing to do is numb their gums throughout the day as much as possible and especially before their naps and bedtime. If you do not want to use teething toys then simply wet a clean washcloth, stick it inside of a ziplock bag, and then in the freezer for 30-45 minutes. Use that to numb their gums, and once done, you can let them play with the washcloth and have them put it in their mouth as needed to help with relief.
If your baby’s cry sounds different than usual, seems painful, or is paired with other symptoms, trust your instincts and speak with your pediatrician.
What to do when your baby keeps crying
When crying continues after they have been fed and changed, the cause is most likely one of the reasons mentioned above. Be sure to address all of these situations as needed. If the crying is still happening after that then you may need to take a different approach.
How you respond matters. Instead of trying everything at once, I encourage you to take a step-by-step approach to soothing. This is where the Soothing Ladder can be helpful. It allows you to respond in a calm, intentional way, starting with the least amount of intervention and increasing support only as needed.
You can learn more about this approach in my blog on The Soothing Ladder Method. This method supports your baby while also helping them begin to settle more independently over time.
A real client story
I recently worked with a family who felt completely stuck. Their baby was eating well, taking good naps, and was generally happy during the day. They had worked hard to get out of an overtired cycle, and everything looked good on paper.
Yet bedtime and overnight crying continued.
What we discovered was that bedtime had become stressful for both baby and parents. The focus shifted from fixing the crying to creating predictability and consistency. We simplified their responses, adjusted the bedtime flow, and allowed space for their baby to settle with support rather than trying different strategies each night.
Within days, crying decreased and sleep improved. Most importantly, the parents felt confident again. Sometimes progress comes from doing less, not more.
When to ask for help
If your baby’s crying sounds unusual, is paired with fever or vomiting, or if something feels off to you, always reach out to your pediatrician. And if you are feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or unsure what to try next, that matters too. You deserve support just as much as your baby does.
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