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It can be surprising to see your baby cry without any actual tears. Many new parents wonder if that’s normal. It is normal. While the crying starts right away, tear production takes a bit more time to kick in. So, when do babies get tears? Let’s find out what’s going on behind those tearless cries, and when you can expect to see those tiny drops.
Do Babies Cry Tears?
Newborns cry often, but in the early weeks, those cries are usually tearless. This is completely normal. While babies can make sounds, turn red, and show distress, their eyes may stay dry at first. The reason is simple: their tear glands are not fully active yet. These glands are already keeping the eyes moist, but they aren’t producing enough liquid for visible tears during a cry.
This can feel surprising for new parents, but it’s a normal part of how a baby’s body adjusts after birth. Tear production builds up slowly in the first weeks of life. Once those glands mature, the change happens naturally, and you’ll soon see the tiny tears you may have expected from day one.
When Do Babies Get Tears?
Most babies begin to produce tears between 2 to 8 weeks after birth. Tear glands are still underdeveloped after birth; the fluids produced at this stage are still insufficient for proper tears.
- In the first couple of weeks, your baby’s cries would not have any tears on them. But the reason for their cries is still real.
- Around the one-month mark, your baby’s tear glands have enough fluid on them to produce little tears.
- By two months, at this time, your baby’s cries have a steady tear flow to them.
A baby's tear gland development is different. Some may have tears before 2 months while others still don't have tears after 3 months. As long as your baby’s eyes are moist and healthy, crying without tears is not something to be worried about.
What’s the Role of Tears in Baby's Development?
Tears are a very important part of your baby’s growth and health. They help provide moisture to your baby’s eyes, which helps care for and protect their underdeveloped vision.
Physically
Tears keep your baby’s eyes clean, moist, and safe from dust or tiny particles. Even before real crying tears appear, their eyes produce just enough moisture to stay healthy. Once tear production increases, the eyes become better protected from dryness and irritation.
Emotionally
Tears begin to reflect how your baby feels. Around two months old, babies may start to shed real tears during stronger cries. These emotional tears are a natural response to discomfort, frustration, or sadness.
Socially
Learning to cry with tears helps your baby connect with you. When you respond with comfort and care, it builds trust, and that trust is key to emotional security and healthy brain development.
So while tears may seem small, they quietly support your baby’s eyes, emotions, and early relationships all at once.
Is It Normal for Some Newborns to Have Tears Right Away?
Newborns developing tears right away are uncommon, but it doesn’t usually mean that your baby has a problem. Every baby can go through tear gland development at different paces, especially within the first week of birth.
Reasons Babies Don’t Cry Tears
Seeing your baby cry without tears can feel a little strange, but it’s often a normal part of early development. There are a few common reasons this happens:
Tear glands are still developing
At birth, babies only produce enough moisture to keep their eyes from drying out. It takes time for the glands to build up enough flow for visible tears during crying.
Every baby has their own pace.
Every baby develops at their own phases. Even siblings and identical twins have different times where they begin to show tears. One may develop early, one may take a little longer. This is normal, and they all depend on each baby’s growth.
Blocked tear ducts
In rare cases, your baby’s tear duct may get blocked or remain unopened. This condition prevents draining or forming properly. This can result in watery eyes or even no tears at all, which is uncommon for infants, and will then get cleared up as they grow.
These reasons are usually nothing to worry about. Tearless cries are still real cries—and a sign your baby is learning how to express themselves from day one.
How to Soothe a Crying Baby (With or Without Tears)?
Your baby’s cries always mean something, whether their cries are with tears or not, they still need attention for them to settle.
Here are some gentle ways to help soothe your baby (tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics):
- Hold them close
Skin-to-skin contact is one of the most effective ways to calm babies as your skin and presence is the only thing that feels familiar and safe. You can occasionally walk or rock them to help them settle.
- Feed them if they’re hungry
If your baby feels hungry they will cry. Always be ready for feeding time as your baby especially at this age is controlled by their tummy.
- Use calming sounds
Using a smart sound machine like the Momcozy Smart Baby Sound Machine helps you mimic the environment your baby experiences inside the womb. It has features that help you control it from another room which is helpful if you are doing something. By utilizing tools like this it can help you calm your baby more efficiently and help them have safe place to relax.
Not every cry means something is wrong—sometimes babies just need help settling. And your presence is often the most powerful comfort of all.
When to Reach Out to Your Doctor?
Whether it produces tears or not, your baby’s cry is a normal part of his or her growth. However, it is still best to consult with your doctor when you notice or feel something different.
Here are a few signs to watch for:
- No visible tears after 3 months
- Too much tear production, sticky discharge, or swelling around the eyes.
- Crying that is hard to soothe, and accompanied with fever, rash, or signs of pain.
- Behavioral changes like not eating, too much or less sleep, or becoming unresponsive.
The longer you spend time with your baby the more you will notice unusual things. Once you obtain this super ability, trust it. If you're overthinking things, don't hesitate to ask for help. It’s okay to overreact when it comes to your baby’s health.
To keep an eye on your baby 24/7, tools like the Momcozy Smart Baby Monitor can really help. It has features like high definition and night vision that can help you monitor your baby during sleep. It also has a temperature sensor that notifies you when the baby’s room temperature changes.
FAQs
Is It Normal for My Baby to Cry Without Tears?
Yes, these crying without tears are normal for babies because their tear ducts are still not developed enough. Their tear glands still don’t have the ability to store more water or moisture, and the tears that they have stored are used for more important things than tears for crying.
What If My Baby Only Cries Tears from One Eye?
One of their tear ducts may be jammed. This is a usual thing, especially if your baby is less than 6months. Their tearing capability is still underdeveloped, but this jamming of tear ducts usually ends before or after 1 year old. However, always watch out for unusual things like swelling, redness, or discharge. It may mean something serious so it's important to call your doctor right away when you notice them.
Why Do Babies Cry More at 6-8 Weeks?
It’s because at this stage, your baby’s emotional and physical development peaks. This causes them to feel overwhelmed. The milestones are constantly being achieved–baby leaps, growth spurts, and sensitivity to changes – they all come at this time. No matter how difficult this phase may be, it’s a canon experience for parents and the baby’s growth. This phase usually ends by 10 to 12 weeks, so stay strong by then.
Conclusion
Hearing your baby's cry is scary and painful to hear. But it's your baby’s only known language that he knows you respond to. Even if some of those cries don't have tears on them, they mean the same. These experiences come along with your baby’s growth and knowing that they are a normal part of your baby’s development can help you feel calmer about them.
As you care for your little one, having the right tools can help lighten the load. Tools like the Momcozy Smart Baby Sound Machine and Momcozy Smart Baby Monitor can help lighten up the stress that accompanies your baby’s cries.
No tears, baby cries are normal; once you understand what it means you won't feel worried anymore. Once you spend a long enough time with your baby, you will develop the needed instinct to know when something is wrong or not – trust that. In this exhausting phase, always be gentle to your baby and yourself; this stage is temporary.
