You usually expect a loud wail when a baby enters the world. It’s the sound every parent waits for in the delivery room. But what happens if silence greets you instead?
We are often told that the first six months of parenthood are a blur of feeding, diapers, and soothing endless tears. So, when a newborn doesn’t cry, it can feel unsettling. Should you be concerned, or should you simply enjoy the peace and quiet?
While the internet might lead you down a rabbit hole of scary diagnoses, the reality is often much less alarming. We have dug into the research to explain exactly why some infants stay quiet and what it means for your little one.
Here is the truth about newborn cries, or the lack thereof.
Key Takeaways
- First breaths: A baby’s first cry helps clear fluid from their lungs and expands them for breathing.
- Common causes: Fast labor, C-sections, or maternal sedation can often lead to a quieter newborn at birth.
- Medical assessment: Doctors use the Apgar test to immediately judge if your baby needs help breathing.
- Communication: Quiet babies use subtle cues like fist-clenching or rooting to signal hunger and sleepiness.
Why Newborns Cry at Birth
The moment of birth is a massive physical shock to your baby. They move from a warm, dark, fluid-filled environment into a bright, cold room. This transition triggers hormonal changes that encourage them to take that crucial first breath.
Before birth, your baby’s lungs are filled with fluid. As they take their first breath, the lungs expand and force that liquid out through the blood and lymph system (1).
That first cry is functional. It forces air into the lungs and helps clear out the remaining amniotic fluid. You might notice the first few breaths are irregular or shallow, but they usually deepen quickly as the baby begins exchanging oxygen for carbon dioxide.
Because those first breaths are the hardest work your baby has done so far, they sometimes need assistance. You may see a nurse or doctor vigorously drying the baby with a towel. This isn’t just for cleaning; that tactile stimulation encourages the baby to cry and breathe deeply.
Generally, a newborn will cry until they are soothed, usually by skin-to-skin contact. While crying is the primary way infants communicate needs like hunger or discomfort, the frequency varies wildly between babies.
A baby’s cry is biologically designed to be hard to ignore. It triggers an immediate response in the adult brain. One study highlighted that mothers, in particular, have an “alarm” response to cries that compels them to provide care, whereas fathers often feel irritation alongside the urge to help (2).
Why Some Newborns Don’t Cry
Not every healthy baby screams the moment they are born. Several factors regarding the birth process itself can result in a quiet arrival.
If you had a very quick labor (precipitous labor) or a cesarean section, the specific hormonal surges that trigger crying might not have occurred as intensely. Babies born via C-section often cough or yawn to clear their lungs rather than letting out a big wail.
Medication plays a role, too. If you were heavily sedated or received significant pain relief during labor, it can cross the placenta (3). This often makes the newborn groggy or “stunned” at birth, leading to silence rather than crying.
In these instances, the medical team will simply stimulate the baby physically to get things moving. They act quickly to clear the airways to ensure independent breathing.
To objectively measure your baby’s health, doctors perform an Apgar test at one minute and five minutes after birth. This quick evaluation determines if your baby needs immediate medical intervention.
The five criteria for the Apgar score are:
- Breathing efforts: Checking for a strong cry.
- Heart rate: Ensuring it is above 100 beats per minute.
- Muscle tone: Looking for active motion versus limpness.
- Reflexes: Grimace or cry response to stimulation.
- Skin color: Checking for pinkness versus blue or pale tones.
Each category gets a score of 0, 1, or 2. If a baby isn’t breathing, they get a zero in that category. A vigorous cry gets a two.
Most babies score lower at the one-minute mark but improve significantly by the five-minute mark (4). It is worth noting that a “perfect 10” is extremely rare because most newborns have slightly blue hands and feet (acrocyanosis), which keeps the color score at a 1. A score of 9 is considered excellent.
Consult Your Doctor
Reading Your Quiet Baby’s Signals
Once you are home, you might realize you just have a chill baby. Most infants cry to announce their needs because they cannot talk. It is their only survival tool.
However, if your pediatrician says your baby is healthy, a lack of crying is likely just their temperament. They might be the “strong and silent” type. The challenge for parents of quiet babies is knowing when they need something before they get distressed. You cannot rely on the siren to go off; you have to watch for subtle physical cues.
Clinically, I find that the amount of crying varies with the baby’s temperament. This is best seen with twins; one twin may seem to cry and vocalize often, while the other is calm, quieter, and cries less.
Editor's Note:
Dr. Leah Alexander, MD, FAAPParents often label a non-crying infant as an “easy baby,” but it can actually be harder to manage because you have to be more observant.
Here are the non-verbal ways your newborn talks to you (5):
1. Signs of Hunger
Crying is actually a late sign of hunger (6). By the time a baby wails for food, they are already frustrated. A quiet baby will give you plenty of warning if you know where to look:
- Rooting: Newborns naturally turn their head and open their mouth toward your chest (or a bottle) when hungry.
- Mouth movements: Look for lip-smacking, tongue clicking, or sucking motions. You might hear a tiny clicking sound.
- Hand-to-mouth: A hungry baby will often try to suck on their hands or fingers.
2. Clues to Sleepiness
An overtired baby eventually crashes and cries, but a quiet baby might just zone out. Missing the “sleep window” can make settling them down much harder later.
Watch their hands. If their fists are clenched tight near their face, they might be stressed or tired. As they relax into sleepiness, the hands often open. Other signs include looking away (avoiding eye contact), jerky movements, or a glazed-over stare. If you see these, start your nap routine immediately.
3. Needing a Diaper Change
Newborn poop doesn’t always have a strong odor, and a quiet baby won’t necessarily scream over a wet diaper.
Look for restlessness. If your baby is wiggling, squirming, or making grumpy faces without crying, check the diaper. Sudden waking from a nap can also signal that they have soiled themselves. When in doubt, perform a quick “sniff test” or peek inside.
FAQs
Are Some Babies Just Quiet?
Yes, some babies are naturally quieter due to their temperament. Just like adults, some infants are vocal and expressive, while others are observant and calm. As long as they are meeting developmental milestones and gaining weight, a quiet demeanor is usually normal.
How Often Does the Average Newborn Cry?
On average, newborns cry for about two hours total per day. This crying behavior typically increases in the first few weeks, peaks around the 6-week mark, and then gradually decreases as they learn other ways to communicate.
When Do Newborns Cry the Most?
Newborns tend to cry the most during the late afternoon and evening hours, a phenomenon often called the “witching hour.” This is typically due to overstimulation from the day.
What Percentage of Babies Don’t Cry When Born?
While exact statistics vary, it is relatively uncommon for a baby to be completely silent at birth. Most will cry or gasp to clear their lungs. A lack of crying is usually a temporary state caused by sedation or rapid delivery and is quickly addressed by medical staff.
Why is My Baby Not Producing Real Tears?
Newborns generally do not produce visible tears until they are between two weeks and two months old. Their tear ducts are still developing, so they may cry and make noise without shedding actual drops of water.
Do Babies From Different Countries Cry Differently?
Yes, fascinating research suggests that babies cry with the “melody” of their mother’s native language. They mimic the tonal patterns they heard while in the womb, leading to subtle differences in pitch and rhythm across cultures.
Do Down Syndrome Babies Cry Less?
Babies with Down syndrome may sometimes cry less or have a cry that sounds different (often described as higher pitched) due to lower muscle tone (hypotonia). However, every child with Down syndrome is unique, and some may cry just as frequently as typical infants.
What a Crybaby
When we picture a newborn, we picture the crying. It is the soundtrack of early parenthood. We associate that loud “waah” with health, vitality, and a clear airway.
So, when your baby breaks the mold and stays quiet, it is natural to worry. But remember that a quick labor, C-section, or simple personality differences are often the cause. As long as your pediatrician gives the thumbs up, enjoy the silence while it lasts.
If you ever feel that your baby is too lethargic or unresponsive, never hesitate to call your doctor. It is always better to be safe and get that peace of mind.
