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Infant crying: nature, physiologic consequences, and select interventions
Susan M Ludington-Hoe1, Xiaomei Cong, Fariba Hashemi
1Case Western Reserve University, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. SML15@po.cwru.edu
Insights
Infant crying, a Valsalva-like maneuver, can cause serious health issues including brain injury. Prompt, consistent caregiver response and methods like kangaroo care can effectively manage infant crying.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal physiology
- Infant behavior
Background:
- Infant crying is a primary communication method.
- Understanding the physiological impact of crying is crucial for infant well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the physiological nature of infant crying.
- To outline nursing interventions for managing infant crying.
Main Methods:
- Review of the physiological events associated with infant crying.
- Description of various nursing interventions.
Main Results:
- Infant crying involves a Valsalva-like maneuver with potential for physiological distress.
- Negative sequelae include increased heart rate, blood pressure, reduced oxygen, and potential brain injury.
- Effective interventions include prompt caregiver response, kangaroo care, swaddling, and sensory stimulation.
Conclusions:
- Caregiver responsiveness is key to mitigating negative effects of crying.
- Kangaroo care and other interventions are effective in managing infant crying.
- Addressing infant crying promptly supports infant health and mother-infant interaction.
Abstract:
This article describes the nature of infant crying, the physiologic events and changes associated with it, and appropriate nursing interventions for infant crying. A cry is a series of four movements that basically resembles a Valsalva maneuver. Documented immediate and long-term sequelae of crying include increased heart rate and blood pressure, reduced oxygen level, elevated cerebral blood pressure, initiation of the stress response, depleted energy reserves and oxygen, interrupted mother-infant interaction, brain injury, and cardiac dysfunction. Caregivers are encouraged to answer infant cries swiftly, consistently, and comprehensively. Kangaroo care is an efficient method for preventing, minimizing, and halting crying. Other interventions for crying include swaddled holding, a pacifier, sugar water, a sweet-tasting nonsucrose solution, heartbeat sounds, distraction by lullabies or mother's voice, rhythmic movement, and reduction of external stimuli.