From holding and rhythmic movement to reducing stimulation and offering comfort, explore gentle ways to help a crying newborn settle. Learn why simple, repetitive approaches can help, when to stop switching techniques and what to do when crying continues.
Author Archives: Iuliana, Happy Tiny Chaos
I'm Iuliana, a mother of two and a general surgeon. I combine my medical training with the lived experience of motherhood to explore newborn behaviour and postpartum recovery.
Here you'll find realistic, evidence-informed guidance on newborn sleep, crying, feeding and early parenthood — without rigid schedules or pressure to be a perfect parent. My aim is to help parents understand what may be happening, find reliable information and feel less alone in the messy early days.
The information on this site is educational and does not replace individualised medical advice.
Why Everything Gets Harder After 6 PM With a Newborn
Why does your newborn seem calm during the day but unsettled by evening? Explore how accumulated sleep pressure, sensory overload, cluster feeding and an immature body clock contribute to evening fussiness, plus what may help.
Witching Hour vs Overtiredness: How to Tell What’s Really Happening
Evening fussiness and overtiredness can look remarkably similar, but they aren’t the same thing. Learn how to recognise the differences, why the two can overlap and what may help your baby through difficult evenings.
Purple Crying vs Colic: What’s the Difference?
PURPLE crying and colic can look similar, but they describe different patterns of infant crying. Learn what each term means, why they can overlap, how to recognise concerning symptoms and when persistent crying deserves medical assessment.
Why Newborns Cry More in the Evening
Evening crying is a common part of early infancy, but it rarely has just one explanation. Discover how developing nervous systems, accumulated tiredness, sensory stimulation, frequent feeding and immature body clocks contribute to the evening fussiness many newborns experience.
Why White Noise Helps Some Babies
White noise can help some babies settle by creating a steady, predictable sound that masks sudden background noises. Learn why it may be soothing, when it can be useful, and how to use it safely during sleep.
Why Babies Love Movement: Rocking, Walking, Babywearing and More
Rocking, walking and babywearing can calm a fussy baby, but why does movement have such a soothing effect? Explore how babies respond to rhythm, motion and familiar sensations, and why movement often helps them settle.
Why Babies Stop Crying When You Stand Up
Some babies seem to calm down the moment you stand up, only to start crying again when you sit. Discover how movement, posture and sensory input may influence a baby’s calming response, and why this behaviour is part of normal infant biology.
Why Babies Calm Down When You Hold Them
Why does your baby stop crying when you pick them up, but start again when you sit down? Discover why holding and movement calm newborns, plus practical ways to settle your baby and make the transition to the cot easier.
Why Crying Peaks Around 6–8 Weeks
Many babies become fussier during the first weeks of life, with crying often increasing before gradually easing. Learn why crying tends to peak around 6–8 weeks, what changes as babies develop, and how to cope with this demanding stage.