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I believe the kid is unable to manipulate until they are at least year old and the crying usually means something.

• peter422 4y ago
  Infants can use crying as a method for getting attention (even if nothing is "wrong") around 3-4 months. They aren't necessity trying to manipulate you but they are constantly experimenting and if certain behaviors get them what they want they will continue to do them.
  • bheadmaster 4y ago
    > they are constantly experimenting and if certain behaviors get them what they want I am fairly doubtful that infants can want things that they don't need. If infants cry, it's because they feel pain - I don't see any other explanation, and projecting adult traits (such as wanting things they don't need) onto infants doesn't really make sense to me. Of course they "want" their parent's attention. They're infants, they probably feel pain when their parents are not around. Of course, there is a period around ~2 years old when babies start experimenting with crossing the lines to see what they can and cannot get away with. But at age, they aren't infants anymore.
  • russdill 4y ago
    Not only that, but at a certain age they can learn to get the things (comfort, sleep, etc) they want in ways other than crying. Past a certain age, always responding to crying right away is stunting that ability.