Mood Swings & Runny Noses: What’s Typical and What’s Trouble?

We’ve all been there.
It’s 8:00 PM, your little one’s bedtime or, more realistically, past their bedtime, and suddenly, they’re melting down. You’ve tried everything: the lullabies, the “shhh shhh shhs,” the sweet bedtime stories. But your baby won’t calm down. You start to panic. “Is something wrong?” You go into full-body-check mode looking for bruises, checking their temperature, watching their breathing. And just when your brain spirals into worst-case scenarios…

They fall asleep. Face to the side. Butt in the air. Arms crossed. Legs tucked under like a little frog.

You try to adjust them gently onto their back, holding your breath, and miraculously, they stay asleep. You step away thinking: “This can’t be normal… what is wrong with my kid?”“Why is bedtime always like this now?”

Why Are Babies So Fussy?

Babies cry. A lot. It’s how they communicate everything: hunger, discomfort, fatigue, overstimulation, boredom, or just plain “I’m a tiny person in a very big world.”

In fact, a major 2023 study that analyzed 57 studies from 17 countries found that:

• Babies cry much more than we used to think and not just in the first few weeks.

• Many babies continue to fuss well into the 3rd, 4th, or even 6th month and beyond.

Why? Their brains are developing rapidly. All that crying and fussing? It’s part of how they adjust to life, process new experiences, and seek comfort.

Your Baby’s Brain Is Working Overtime

Babies are expert learners, constantly absorbing sounds, patterns, smells, sensations, and your facial expressions. Their world is a nonstop rollercoaster of sensory input, and sometimes, it’s just a lot.

Crying doesn’t always mean something’s wrong. Sometimes, it means your baby:

• Learned something new today and their brain is overloaded

• Missed a nap or slept too long

• Is growing physically or emotionally

• Is adjusting to a new routine

• Just needs your presence

Reframing the “Fussy Baby” Narrative

If you’ve ever felt like bedtime is a battlefield, know this: you’re not alone.
Babies cry because they can. And you’re doing the right thing by showing up, trying your best, and loving them through it.

That odd little sleep position? Normal.
The sudden tears after what seemed like a great day? Normal.
The meltdown when it’s bedtime again? Still normal.

Your baby isn’t broken. They’re growing.

When to Be Concerned

While most crying is completely normal, there are times when it can signal something more serious. You know your baby best so trust your instincts. If your baby is crying more than usual and you notice any of the following, it’s a good idea to reach out to your pediatrician:

• Crying that sounds high-pitched, weak, or unusual

• Crying that lasts more than 3 hours per day for several days in a row

• A baby who is difficult or feels impossible to console

• Signs of illness like fever, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, or poor feeding

• A change in activity level meaning your baby is unusually sleepy or hard to wake

• Stiffness or floppiness in their body

These can be signs of infection, gastrointestinal discomfort, or other medical concerns.

If your baby is under 2 months old and has a fever (100.4°F / 38°C or higher), go to the ED. As a reminder, we always check baby temps with a regular thermometer in the bum. A forehead thermometer is not as accurate so save it for when they’re closer to 6 months. You can call your pediatrician on the way but this will be their recommendation.

TLDR

Yes, babies cry a lot even past the first 6–12 weeks. New research confirms crying can stay elevated for many months. It’s not your fault, and it doesn’t mean something is wrong. Your baby is learning, growing, and developing faster than we can imagine. What they need most: your presence, patience, and love. Trust your gut when it comes to concerns and do not be afraid to send MPF a message with any questions.

References:
Turan, J. M., White, B. A., Lohan, D. M., & Barr, R. G. (2023). Crying in the first 12 months of life: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Child Development, 94(1), 113–132. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.13760

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2020). Irritability and fussiness. In Pediatric Care Online. https://publications.aap.org/pediatriccare/book/348/chapter/5773723/Irritability-and-Fussiness-Chapter-169

KidsHealth. (2021). When your baby cries: What to know and what to do. Nemours Children’s Health. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/crying.html