Why Won’t My Baby Stop Crying? And Other Middle-of-the-Night Parenting Mysteries, Solved

Parenting is basically one long, chaotic Google search at 2 a.m. You start with “why won’t my baby sleep” and somehow end up on “What is the next baby milestone?” while questioning every life choice that led you here.

The internet is full of conflicting advice, panic-inducing forums, and the occasional gem of wisdom buried under layers of nonsense. So, I’ve rounded up the most commonly searched parenting questions and answered them with the honesty, sanity, and research you deserve.

In this article:

Why won’t my baby stop crying?

Why does my child have a fever? When is a fever too high for a child? How can I treat my child’s fever?

When do kids sleep through the night?

Why does my baby get hiccups after eating?

Why does my baby spit up after every feeding?

1.    Why won’t my baby stop crying?

Infants (0-12 months) Newborns cry. A lot. Sometimes for what seems like no reason. But trust—there’s always a reason, even if it’s just gas. Hungry? Tired? Overstimulated? Too cold? Too hot? Diaper full? Run through the checklist. If your baby is crying for hours on end (think colic), try white noise, swaddling, or a gentle rocking motion. If the crying doesn’t ease up, check in with your pediatrician.

Toddlers (1-3 years) Welcome to tantrum central. Toddlers cry because they can’t yet articulate why the world is unfair. (You cut their sandwich wrong? Expect tears.) The trick is acknowledging their feelings while setting firm boundaries: “I get that you’re mad about the blue cup, but we’re using the red one today.”

Older Kids (4+ years) At this stage, crying is often tied to emotional regulation—or lack thereof. Teach them to express what’s wrong in words. If meltdowns happen regularly over minor frustrations, practice calming techniques together.

Welcome to the Club

Every brand-new parent hits that moment—exhausted, desperate, questioning every life choice—while their baby screams like a tiny, furious alarm clock with no snooze button. You’re not failing. You’re just in the “why won’t you stop crying” initiation phase of parenting.

2.    Why does my child have a fever? When is a fever too high for a child? How can I treat my child’s fever?

A fever in children is typically a sign that their body is fighting an infection.

Infants (Under 3 months) Don’t mess around here. A rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher? Call the pediatrician. Babies this young can’t fight infections well, and a fever might mean something serious.

Babies & Toddlers (3 months – 3 years) A fever under 102°F usually isn’t a big deal. If they’re eating, drinking, and playing, it’s likely nothing serious. But check with a doctor if:

• They seem “off”

• They’re lethargic

• The fever sticks around for more than 3 days

• Their temp spikes above 102°F

Keep them hydrated, dressed lightly, and comfortable. If they seem miserable, you can give infant acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil—only if they’re over 6 months).

Older Kids (4+ years) A pediatrician should see your child’s or teen’s temp spikes to 103°F or higher or if they have a fever of 102°F that lasts for more than two days.

At this age, they can usually tell you how they feel, so focus on their symptoms and behavior more than the thermometer. If they’re running around with a low fever, let their body do its thing. But if they’re lying there like a limp noodle? Time for some medicine and extra rest.

3.    When do kids sleep through the night?

Ah, the million-dollar question every sleep-deprived parent desperately wants to know. If you’re hoping for a magic number, I hate to break it to you—there isn’t one. Some lucky parents have unicorn babies snoozing for 8-hour stretches by 3 weeks old, while others (like me) are still waking up with their kids multiple times a night.  

Generally, babies can start sleeping longer stretches around 3-6 months when their stomachs can hold more milk and their circadian rhythms mature. But can and will are two very different things. Sleep depends on a mess of factors—temperament, sleep environment, hunger, teething, and whether your kid just feels like ruining your night for fun.

Here’s the average breakdown (and I emphasize average, because every baby is different):

• Newborns (0-3 months) – Sleep is a lawless land. 2-4 hour stretches, max. They wake up because they’re hungry, uncomfortable, or just to remind you who’s boss.

• 3-6 months – Some babies start giving 5-8 hour stretches. Others still wake up like clockwork. Sleep training debates start here.

• 6-12 months – Many babies could sleep 8-12 hours. Many don’t. Teething, separation anxiety, and growth spurts keep them (and you) up.

• 12+ months – If they’re still waking multiple times, you’re either in a bad habit cycle or just have a child who hates sleep. Sorry.

Some kids just take longer to sleep through the night, and no amount of magical sleep sacks, white noise, or sleep training debates will change that. So, if your kid is still waking up, it’s not because you failed. It’s because they’re a tiny, chaotic human, and that’s just what they do.

However, if your kid is well past a year and still waking up constantly (like, every 1-2 hours), it might be worth looking into sleep associations, medical issues (like reflux or apnea), or talking to a pediatrician.

Trying to get my kid to sleep alone in his crib broke me. Sleep training just doesn’t work in our household. So, we still co-sleep, because that’s the easiest way for all of us to get (nearly) enough sleep.

4.    Why does my baby get hiccups after eating?

If your little one starts hiccupping after every feeding, congratulations, you have a perfectly normal baby. Hiccups are usually caused by a tiny, overstimulated diaphragm, thanks to a full belly, swallowing air while feeding, or just their brand-new digestive system figuring out how to function outside the womb. They’re harmless and more common than people realize, especially in newborns.

If you’d rather not listen to your baby hiccup like a tiny, disgruntled cartoon character, try burping them mid-feed and after, keeping feedings calm and unhurried, and making sure they’re latched properly (if breastfeeding) or not chugging their bottle like they just ran a marathon.

But honestly? Sometimes they just get hiccups, and there’s not much you can do but wait it out. They’ll outgrow it—eventually.

5.    Why does my baby spit up after every feeding?

Spitting up is wildly common in newborns because their digestive systems are basically a work-in-progress, and the valve that keeps food down isn’t fully developed yet. Add in a little swallowed air from feeding too fast, and boom—your baby is now a human milk geyser.

Most of the time, spit-up is no big deal. Annoying? Yes. Concerning? Not usually. Keeping your baby upright for about 20-30 minutes after feeding, burping them frequently, and offering smaller, slower-paced feedings can help.

But if your kid is projectile vomiting, seems in pain, or isn’t gaining weight, it might be time to talk to your pediatrician about reflux or other digestive issues.

Otherwise? Stock up on burp cloths, accept your fate, and remember: one day, you’ll miss this. (Okay, maybe not this part, but you get the idea.)

References:

American Academy of Pediatrics. (n.d.). Fever and your child. HealthyChildren.org. Retrieved March 10, 2025, from https://www.healthychildren.org/

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. (n.d.). Crying in infants: What’s normal? Retrieved March 10, 2025, from https://www.nichd.nih.gov/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Positive parenting tips. CDC.gov. Retrieved March 10, 2025, from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/positiveparenting.html

Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2023). How much sleep does your child need? Retrieved March 10, 2025, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/how-much-sleep-does-your-child-need