In most cases, yes. Babies' tear ducts are still developing after birth, and it's normal for them not to shed tears for the first few months, says pediatrician Tanya Remer Altmann, editor of The Wonder Years: Helping Your Baby and Young Child Successfully Negotiate the Major Developmental Milestones.

Most babies start crying tears around 2 weeks of age, but some can take longer. "Usually by the 2-month checkup, they're there," says Altmann.

Some newborns develop clogged tear ducts, which means they can make tears but the tears aren't draining properly. Accumulated tears can create a gooey yellow discharge, which your child's doctor may treat with drops or an ointment. The doctor will also instruct you how to clean your baby's eyes and massage the tear duct, if necessary.

In older infants who have a fever, crying without tears can also be a late sign of dehydration, says Altmann. This may also be true when a child has been vomiting or having diarrhea. In these cases, make sure your baby gets plenty of liquids.

Call his doctor if you can't bring your baby's fever down or if he has other signs of dehydration, like a very dry mouth or urine that looks darker and smells stronger than usual.

Clogged tear ducts can come and go and generally clear up by the time your baby reaches his first birthday. If not, a pediatric eye doctor may need to dilate the ducts so they don't continue to clog.

In very rare cases, babies are born without the gland that makes tears. These babies also need to see a pediatric ophthalmologist.