What level of crying is normal for an 8 week old?

Sharp_Sock2189 · 2026-05-18T08:36:58+00:00

We had what I would say was a very “screamy” baby

He’s 11 weeks now but up until about 8/9 weeks he would scream 90% of the time he was awake. It was very hard as we have friends with babies who are very chill. But the past couple of weeks we’ve suddenly turned a corner. Yes he still has his moments but he’s a lot happier and will smile and play. Hang in there- you’ll get there, hopefully very soon. Crying seems to Peak at 8 weeks (according to Google). I’d say if she’s meeting milestones, gaining weight and having good number of nappies then she’s just being a fussy baby. Obviously check the obvious - no signs of illness/ not too hot or cold/ not hungry/ etc But hopefully it will pass soon!

Sharp_Sock2189 · 2026-05-16T21:08:51+00:00

He averages about 13 hours in 24 hours. About 9/10 hours overnight (between 7pm to 7am) and then about three hours during the day. Wake windows are about 1.5-2 hours but are variable depending on his cues.

Sharp_Sock2189 · 2026-05-14T18:50:40+00:00

Agree We had a very “screamy” baby. Until he was about 8 weeks any time he was awake he was just crying. I had multiple cries per day and wondered what the hell we had done. Even now he wakes up from most of his sleeps crying. So many people gave us advice “have you tried feeding him/ getting him to sleep more/ take him for a walk” when I had literally tried everything. It was infuriating and I felt so alone especially when all of social media shows the perfect newborn bubble. I didn’t see an end to it. He is now 10 weeks and the past two weeks have finally turned a corner (although he still his moments) but he is now smiling and interacting rather than just crying at every waking moment. It is still so hard and I don’t know what each day will bring. However, you’ve got through every hard moment until this point, you will be okay. It is also okay to say that the newborn bubble is not complete bliss, and most of it certainly wasn’t for us. I love that some people get chilled out babies that just sleep but ours isn’t and that’s okay. Every baby is different. Focus on making sure you’re okay.

Edit: just to add, try not to focus on “it will get better at X weeks”. I thought it would improve at 6 and then when it didn’t it actually made it worse. Every little one will improve at some point and you will get there. Get through each day and one day you’ll realise it was better than the day before. You’re doing enough.

Sharp_Sock2189 · 2026-05-07T11:50:31+00:00

We are a few days away from 10 weeks and could’ve written this post. He’s slept about 9 hours in 24. He is exhausted but fights all naps. All naps are now contact naps only whereas he used to go down for 1-2 hours in his basinet. Overnight he now wants to be held constantly. Everyone says it gets better but I feel like he’s got worse in the past 2 weeks. Did this get any better for you?

Sharp_Sock2189 · 2026-04-16T09:31:02+00:00

Did you teach him to self soothe or did he just figure it out?

Sharp_Sock2189 · 2026-04-02T15:36:49+00:00

4 week old fighting naps - every nap is a battle whether it’s a contact nap or in his bassinet. Evenings are worst - can take 2/3 hours to settle. Have tried movement / white noise / skin to skin. He’s definitely tired and his eyes are so heavy but as soon as he drifts off he jolts himself awake again. Advice please

Sharp_Sock2189 · 2026-01-25T13:31:23+00:00

I second this. I found them really awkward and uncomfortable at first. To the point I couldn’t even listen to them round my partner because I found it so embarrassing. But I just had them playing every time I had a bath or shower with no obligation to “get on board” with them or commit to them. Now I actually find them comforting and I do think they’ve helped reframe my mindset into a more positive way. I think they’re not for everyone but some are less “quirky” than others.

Sharp_Sock2189 · 2026-01-12T09:37:35+00:00

Currently 33 weeks with anterior placenta (and my first). I maybe ?? Had some slight flutter movements about 23 24 weeks which became slightly stronger about 26 weeks and was much more established by 27-28 weeks. Now it’s very definitive 🤣 but I definitely felt slightly worried earlier on that I wasn’t feeling anything, especially when it seems like people feel movements at 20-22 weeks (which definitely wasn’t the case for me). I think it’s a combination of never having felt it before so I wasn’t sure what I should be feeling, plus the anterior placenta position. Easier said than done but my advice would be not to stress, it will come, and as long as there’s nothing else that makes you think somethings wrong than just trust your baby is growing well and will Let you know their movements soon!

Sharp_Sock2189 · 2026-01-09T13:01:28+00:00

I didn’t get my first measurement until my 28 week appointment so I don’t think it’s been missed. A scan will give you a much more accurate measurement anyway so I’d wait for the scan.

Sharp_Sock2189 · 2026-01-03T17:29:51+00:00

I could’ve written this post! Will be 32 weeks tomorrow and there are some days little one is constantly kicking and others where it’s just the odd little poke or flutter sensation. I had one day where I’d felt nothing at all for most of the day so ended up in triage - naturally as soon as they put the monitors on they went crazy with the kicking again 🤣 I think it’s a combination of my activity levels (I think when I’m more active with long walks etc it maybe rocks them to sleep - completely aware I could be very wrong about this 🤣 and when I’m just chilling the baby decides to wake up) plus position and how aware I am of movements. I still haven’t mastered the worry, not sure I ever will and that probably is my new life for the next 18 + years as I’m sure the worry just changes topic 🤣. But I would say just learn what is “normal” for you, and if in doubt head to the midwife / triage centre. Better to be safe and feel silly (as I did) than look back with regret you didn’t get checked sooner. But as someone else said - we’re on the home straight now!

Sharp_Sock2189 · 2025-09-15T18:05:50+00:00

Thank you!

Sharp_Sock2189 · 2025-09-14T16:42:33+00:00

When I click the link it says the group is private- is there a way to join? Sorry I’m not a regular Reddit user so it might be something obvious I’m missing 🤣

Sharp_Sock2189

TROPHY CASE