On average babies can cry two hours per day, peaking at six weeks of age. Peak crying time is in the evenings and early part of the night. Excessive crying persisting longer than three to five months of age may be associated with environmental factors such as noise or temperature, decreased duration of feeding or maternal postpartum depression leading to infant's needs not being met. Many infants with crying, fussiness do not have gastroesophageal reflux or milk allergy.
It's important for the provider to carry out a careful examination for any physical causes of excessive crying as inconsolable crying is not normal in an infant. Infants have pre-cry cues starting with changes in breathing or color, to postural movements, then calm vocalization, leading to crying.
Management of crying include:
Paying attention to pre-crying cues.
Respond to signal for feeding in a calm and relaxed manner.
If sensory over stimulation is a factor, create a non-distracting calm environment.
Swaddling and skin to skin contact and carrying infant.
Reassure that this is normal and transient, with only 5% of infants persisting
beyond 3 months of age.
Every baby has their own way of expressing themselves! When your little one cries, what do you think they’re trying to tell?
I’m hungry!
I need a diaper change!
I just want to be held!
I’m tired but fighting sleep!
References: Nelson textbook of Pediatrics 22 edition pp 156-157
While there is a lot of information on the Internet, I present tips based on current Pediatric knowledge combined with many years of experience dealing with issues relating to children and young adults. - Dr. Baig
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