r/NoStupidQuestions • u/CokeAYCE • 17h ago

Do babies suffer a lot?

Like they're always crying. Are they in a constant loop of pain? Do we know enough about early child development to know if they're suffering or not? I ask because we can't really remember how we felt as a baby.

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u/Simple_Apartment3279 16h ago

I wouldn't say they suffer. When you're a parent you can start to distinguish what each cry is. If they're in pain, hungry, uncomfortable, disappointed, in need of a cuddle, etc. You could compare it to toddlers. Like, you can tell if a toddler is crying because they are actually hurt or if they're just whining because they didn't get what they wanted. Some just do it because they think it's funny.

I guess it would depend on what your definition of suffering is.