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1. Problem crying in infancy

Harriet Hiscock1, Brigid Jordan

  • 1Centre for Community Child Health, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Road, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia. harriet.hiscock@rch.org.au

The Medical Journal of Australia
|November 2, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Excessive infant crying affects up to 20% of parents, typically peaking at six weeks. Management focuses on parental support and understanding normal infant development, with medical causes being rare.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Neonatal Care
  • Infant Development

Background:

  • Infant crying and irritability are common concerns for parents in the first three months of life.
  • Crying patterns typically peak around six weeks and resolve by 12-16 weeks.
  • Most cases of infant irritability lack an underlying medical etiology.

Observation:

  • Cow's milk and other food allergies are identified in a minority of irritable infants.
  • Gastro-oesophageal reflux is a potential cause only when accompanied by frequent vomiting (approx. 5 times/day).
  • Maternal factors such as fatigue, anxiety, and depression, alongside the mother-infant relationship, require assessment.

Findings:

  • Management strategies emphasize educating parents on normal infant crying and sleep patterns.
  • A baby-centered approach to help infants manage discomfort and distress is recommended.
  • Parents are advised to recognize infant tiredness cues and implement consistent settling techniques.

Implications:

  • Encouraging parental acceptance of support from friends and family can alleviate household burdens.
  • For persistent crying, interventions like parenting centers or hospital admissions may be necessary.
  • This approach aims to reduce parental stress and improve infant well-being through supportive care.

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