When does a baby learn cause and effect?

Question

At what age is crying no longer instinctual?
When does he realize that crying is a way to get what he wants?

Answer 1

Cause and effect is a lifetime of learning and it begins at birth. Babies cry and get picked up or fed, this is then learned. Kids continue this at mealtimes later on (think throwing a plate of food down from their high chairs). Cause and effect is learned through the school years as grades correspond with how much effort we put into studying. Maybe it never ends until we die...

Answer 2

I would say that on average about 10-14 months. I have had 6 babies and while they are all different it has usually fallen into that age range. I have a 15 month old and he definitely knows that he can get what he wants by crying. Although I do think it still is instinctual because aside from saying a few words he can't communicate his needs any other way. Cause and effect is a different story, the very first time the child sit's in his highchair or car seat and drops something and you pick it up and give it to him/her is the start of cause and effect.

Answer 3

In what other way can he ask for what he wants/needs? You will learn the different cries and be able to work out eventually if it is somehting necessary or just bored now mum, come and pick me up...
good luck

Answer 4

Thats not cause and effect, thats learning to comminucate in new ways.

Newborns learn cause and effect, thats why they cry. They have cause, so they cry, and effect is care from their parents.