The Cry-sis Helpline
Support for parents with crying and sleepless babies.
In 1981 a small group of parents, who were experiencing problems with their crying and sleepless babies, set up a support group. They discovered how important support is and how reassuring it can be to talk to someone. Today that support group has become The Cry-sis Helpline, the only UK charity offering help and support to parents with babies who cry excessively or have sleeping problems.
Who we are
From modest beginnings The Cry-sis Helpline has become a well-respected national charity which provides:
Guides on how to cope with crying babies
For new babies aged 0 – 3 months
Older babies aged 4 – 12 months.
Coping with Colic.
Help for unsoothable babies; our featured article by one of our patrons, Emeritus Professior Ian St. James-Roberts.
Free telephone helpline 0800 448 0737
Available 7 days a week from 9am until 10pm.
Please support Cry-sis and visit our Donate page and if you’d like to become one of our helpers please visit out Volunteer page.
Tips for new parents
Having a new baby is exciting with many challenges ahead and changes to adapt to. Our guide is for new parents who are looking for advice on what to expect and how to adjust to the new addition to their family.
A list of useful websites
There are many other websites you can visit for useful information and advice, which offer a variety of support and we have provided links to some of them for you on the Resources page.
Resources for healthcare professionals
Cry-sis Helpline has produced a pdf leaflet which you can download and reproduce for your own use. This leaflet contains much of the information on this site and is in a handy A4 format.
Opportunities to support us
Please support new parents by donating to Cry-sis via one of the buttons throughout the site, or if you would like to be part of our team, more information can be found on our Volunteer page.
Support Cry-sis
Would you help us to help other parents and carers? Please support Cry-sis by donating via the bopp app below or, at no cost to yourself, by using the Easyfunding link. Find out more on our Donate page.
We are proud to support the award winning Colic Awarenss Campaign
Our guides on how to cope
Help with young babies 0-3 months
The average baby cries for as much as 2 hours a day* and this is often related to hunger, a dirty nappy or tiredness. When a baby cries, it can be hard to cope with, but understanding some of the reasons why and sharing another parent’s advice can be helpful. Click below for more help:
Help with older babies 3-12 months
Young babies need a lot of sleep, but their sleep patterns change and every baby is different. On average a baby will sleep for 16-18 hours a day in the first 4 months and from 12-16 hours in the first year but of course they will get hungry and wake every few hours for a feed or a nappy change.
Going without sleep is one of the biggest challenges for a parent and establishing a sleep routine isn’t always easy.
Help with older babies 3-12 months
Young babies need a lot of sleep, but their sleep patterns change and every baby is different. On average a baby will sleep for 16-18 hours a day in the first 4 months and from 12-16 hours in the first year but of course they will get hungry and wake every few hours for a feed or a nappy change.
Going without sleep is one of the biggest challenges for a parent and establishing a sleep routine isn’t always easy.