# How do they make babies cry? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 17, 2005, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-make-babies-cry/285114 "2005-01-17T00:37:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-make-babies-cry/285114/1 "2005-01-17T00:37:36Z")
I see commercials and movies etc where the baby is crying. I’ve raised two kids and three grandkids, so I can tell that the baby is really crying. I doubt that it’s some editing trick, so how do the directors or whoever do it? A little pinch on the butt, or what? Grrr. A good recent example would be the baby in the _Meet the Fokkers_ movie. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-make-babies-cry/285114/2 "2005-01-17T00:41:53Z")
If it’s the Baby Jesus, most stupid posts on this board would do it. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-make-babies-cry/285114/3 "2005-01-17T00:44:57Z")
They no doubt wait until a baby model cries (it’s bound to happen), photograph it and cut it in as required. ---
**Author:** ![SavageNarce](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@SavageNarce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SavageNarce)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-make-babies-cry/285114/4 "2005-01-17T01:19:29Z")
Think of it from the baby’s perspective. There you are, playing contentedly with your toes, happy as a clam. Then - whoa, what’s this? Hot, bright lights shining in your eyes, a room full of people in headsets, some guy with a honkin’ big microphone covered with something that looks sort of like Teddy’s dismembered leg dangling in front of your face, a noisy, giant camera teetering precariously overhead that looks like it would crush you if it came much closer, and some idiot with a clapper board going “SMACK” in front of your nose. It would seem more unusual to me if the baby did **not** cry under these circumstances. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-make-babies-cry/285114/5 "2005-01-17T01:27:12Z")
I see. They scare the shit out of the kid. Cool. ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-make-babies-cry/285114/6 "2005-01-17T02:19:53Z")
In my case, all I have to do is leave the room… ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-make-babies-cry/285114/7 "2005-01-17T02:24:37Z")
Actually, nowdays when you see a screaming baby on TV or in the movies, chances are pretty good that it’s not even a real baby. Many shows use the latest animatronic babies, produced by companies like [Creative Character Engineering](http://www.creativecharacter.com/gallery/baby/baby_default.htm). [Here’s](http://www.emmys.org/emmymag/june04/newmedia.php) an article that talks about the use of animatronic babies in shows like ER. ---
**Author:** ![Eats\_Crayons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Eats\_Crayons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eats_Crayons)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-make-babies-cry/285114/8 "2005-01-17T02:38:13Z")
I knew an FX person who worked on a movie with a guy whose job it was to make babies cry. He used to give them a toy – and then yank it it back out of their hands and walk away. Until next time. Eventually, as soon as they saw him, they’d start howling. ---
**Author:** ![Eats\_Crayons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Eats\_Crayons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eats_Crayons)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-make-babies-cry/285114/9 "2005-01-17T02:40:34Z")
Addendum: I don’t think that was the guy’s _only_ job, but he had some kind of function where he was responsible for getting the right performance out of little kids. So he could get them to giggle and squeal and stuff too. But on the specific shoot the FX guy was working on, the job of the day was “make babies cry”. ---
**Author:** ![jester21](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ed655f/32.png) [@jester21](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jester21)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-make-babies-cry/285114/10 "2005-01-17T04:24:22Z")
> [@Eats\_Crayons](#): > > But on the specific shoot the FX guy was working on, the job of the day was “make babies cry”. it involved poking the critter w/ a sharp stick. ---
**Author:** ![Tentacle\_Monster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba9def/32.png) [@Tentacle\_Monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tentacle_Monster)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-make-babies-cry/285114/11 "2005-01-17T04:56:55Z")
They show the tot a picture of Lil’ Brudder. ---
**Author:** ![Joe\_Random](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Joe\_Random](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Random)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-make-babies-cry/285114/12 "2005-01-17T11:43:19Z")
> [@Tentacle Monster](#): > > They show the tot a picture of Lil’ Brudder. [He has the heart of a champion, I tell you. The heart of a champion.](http://www.homestarrunner.com/sbemail109.html) ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-make-babies-cry/285114/13 "2005-01-17T12:43:23Z")
It’s probably worth mentioning that for little ones, mom or dad is always there on the set, just behind the camera, and is encouraged to swoop in with lots of kisses and soothing the moment the camera shuts off. The FX guy is the meanie, mom/dad is the hero, and there’s no lasting trauma to the tyke. Also, remember that babies are hopelessly typecast. There’s babies that cry easily, and those are the ones chosen for crying scenes. Others giggle at everything, so they’re used in happy baby scenes. This is why twins who are tempermentaly different (i.e. the Olsen twins) are so desired by casting agents. ---
**Author:** ![ltfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@ltfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ltfire)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2005, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-make-babies-cry/285114/14 "2005-01-18T01:02:13Z")
> [@Eats\_Crayons](#): > > I knew an FX person who worked on a movie with a guy whose job it was to make babies cry. He used to give them a toy – and then yank it it back out of their hands and walk away. Until next time. > > Eventually, as soon as they saw him, they’d start howling. PETA would jump all over if this was done to an animal. Baby humans? Feh…a dime a dozen…who cares. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2005, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-make-babies-cry/285114/15 "2005-01-18T03:36:00Z")
Let’s say mom and dad are in a Walmart with junior. Somebody comes up, gives the baby a toy, yanks it away and leaves. Baby cries. Mom and dad are right there to swoop in and comfort. No trauma. Baby stops crying. Is everything ok? No action taken against the stranger? Wanna bet! So money is the deciding factor, right? What else could it be? Artistic license? :rolleyes: Parenting rule #372A: It’s perfectly okay to scare the shit outta your baby as long as you get money in return. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2005, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-make-babies-cry/285114/16 "2005-01-18T04:16:28Z")
> [@mangeorge](#): > > Let’s say mom and dad are in a Walmart with junior. Somebody comes up, gives the baby a toy, yanks it away and leaves. Baby cries. > Mom and dad are right there to swoop in and comfort. No trauma. Baby stops crying. > Is everything ok? No action taken against the stranger? > Wanna bet! > So money is the deciding factor, right? What else could it be? Artistic license? :rolleyes: > Parenting rule #372A: It’s perfectly okay to scare the shit outta your baby as long as you get money in return. Action taken like what? A dirty look? A bellowed, 'hey, you’re a jerk!"? A pitting on a message board? Please tell me lawsuits haven’t gone so far that a toy-snatching stranger has to worry about legal “action.” Maybe it’s money, maybe it’s the hope of eventual fame. Who knows? Why do parents force their 2 year olds to study violin? Not because it’s pleasant at the time, certainly. Why do parents force their darlings into beauty pagents, exclusive preschools or little league? Parents do weird things all the time. Parenting rule #373: No matter what you do to your kids, you’re bound to screw them up somehow. Put money away in a college fund \*\*and \*\*a therapy fund. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2005, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-make-babies-cry/285114/17 "2005-01-19T01:00:57Z")
When I was a young dad in my twenties, **WhyNot** , I might’ve gotten pretty excited about someone fucking with my kids. Mr. Toy Yanker would’ve found himself with a handful of trouble. What on earth made you think of suing? But nobody’s going to do that anyway. I simply used that scenario for comparison, to make a point about how we’re willing to sell out. But that’s not the point. My kids aren’t for sale, or rent. How does getting paid make it okay to cause children distress, no matter how small. Both my daughters survived all the bumps and bruises and distress of growing, more than most other kids, but it was never inflcted on them with the _intent_ of making them cry. I wouldn’t have shoved a violin at either of them just to see them cry. And I wouldn’t have allowed anyone to to scare the shit out of either one to make them cry either. Not for money or for laughs. It has nothing to do with screwing them up, either. It’s a matter of parents and children _enjoying_ their time together. The future can take second place, IMO. Want a picture of my kid? Take it as-is, laughing or crying. Then pay me. I’ll take the kids to Baskin Robbins. ---
**Author:** ![violacrane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/c57346/32.png) [@violacrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/violacrane)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2005, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-make-babies-cry/285114/18 "2005-01-19T02:08:51Z")
Something I’ve noticed on a lot of UK programmes is that the crying seems to be dubbed over the top of the scene – you don’t actually get to see much of the baby’s face and when you do it doesn’t really look as though its crying. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2005, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-make-babies-cry/285114/19 "2005-01-19T04:13:45Z")
**mangeorge** , you asked a question and it seems to have been answered. If what you _really_ want is to rant about or debate the topic, let us know so that we can send this to **The BBQ Pit** or **Great Debates**. (Generally, I’d ship this to **Cafe Society** , but I suspect that you would be just as irate, there.) I’m going to leave this open for a little bit in case someone with first hand experience (the parent or director of a child actor) wants to pop in with an answer, and I’ll move it to the Forum of your choice, but this thread will be moved or closed in a few hours. [/Moderator Mode] ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2005, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-make-babies-cry/285114/20 "2005-01-19T05:03:46Z")
> [@Bad News Baboon](#): > > In my case, all I have to do is leave the room… In my case, all I have to do is enter the room… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-they-make-babies-cry/285114.md?page=2)