Chad Meyers | November 22, 2025 | Medical Malpractice
Do all babies cry when born? The majority of them do cry or are induced to cry to ensure that their airways are clear. In some instances, medications administered to the mother could impact the baby enough that they are dazed or even sedated. Birth injuries can also result in a quiet baby. Learn more about what it could mean when an infant doesn’t cry.
Baby Not Crying After Birth: Why It Could Be A Concern
A baby’s first cry is essential for their transition from the womb to the outside world. The cry helps to clear their lungs and airways of mucus and fluids, and it forces the lungs to start working independently. The first cry can also trigger a change in the baby’s circulation, shifting it from its fetal functioning to the pattern the child will use for the rest of their life.
So what happens if a baby doesn’t cry immediately after birth? The delivery team will attempt to stimulate them to do so by drying them vigorously or rubbing their back. It may also be necessary to suction their mouth and nose to remove mucus.
If these initial actions don’t work, medical professionals will need to intervene by providing positive pressure ventilation. Part of the process also involves getting an Apgar score, which assesses the baby’s appearance, pulse, reflexes, activity, and breathing. If the baby gets a low score, then this can show that they had a difficult birth and may need further assistance.
Can Malpractice Lead To A Baby Not Crying After Birth?
Medical malpractice is one possibility when a baby doesn’t cry right after their birth. If the child suffered a birth injury, then they may be less likely to behave as other babies do. Numerous factors can lead them to sustain birth injuries, including:
- Improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors
- Failure to monitor vital signs
- Failure to address maternal illnesses
- Delayed labor
- Failure to perform a C-section in time
- Medication errors
All manner of catastrophic injuries can occur if the care team is negligent. Oxygen deprivation is one of the most severe issues that can arise, and, unfortunately, it’s a common problem. It can lead to conditions like cerebral palsy and other forms of brain damage.
Taking Legal Action After Your Baby Suffers A Birth Injury
If your baby suffered an injury before, during, or right after birth because of a medical professional’s negligence, you may be entitled to begin a medical malpractice claim. These actions are similar to personal injury and wrongful death claims, but they require showing that another professional would not have made the same error that led to your child’s injuries.
Pursuing a claim successfully is not easy. You’ll need expert witnesses to assist you in demonstrating that your child would not have suffered losses if it hadn’t been for substandard care. You’ll also have to negotiate with insurance companies, which is never simple.
With assistance from attorneys with experience in medical malpractice claims, it’s possible to obtain the support you and your family need. An attorney will gather all of the pertinent evidence to show that negligence occurred, and they’ll calculate your full losses so that you can take care of medical expenses and all of the needs your child will have.
Because of the complexities of these cases, don’t attempt to go through the process alone. You could end up with a much smaller settlement than you deserve.
Contact Our Nashville Medical Malpractice Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If your baby has been injured due to a misdiagnosis, your next step should be to speak with an attorney about your legal options. With the proper guidance, you can pursue fair compensation without the stress of handling legal paperwork on your own. You don’t have to face this challenging situation alone.
Call Meyers Personal Injury Law to schedule a free consultation with one of our Nashville medical malpractice lawyers. We work on a contingency fee basis, giving you access to experienced legal representation without taking on significant financial risk.
If you were injured in an accident in Nashville or Brentwood and need legal help, contact our Nashville personal injury lawyers at Meyers Personal Injury Law to schedule a free case review today.
Meyers Personal Injury Law Nashville
1308 Rosa L Parks Blvd Suite 101,
Nashville, TN 37208
(615) 258-9000
Meyers Personal Injury Law Brentwood
105 Continental Pl Suite 100,
Brentwood, TN 37027
(615) 258-9000
