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Problems of feeding, sleeping and excessive crying in infancy: a general population study
Anne Lise Olsen1, Janni Ammitzbøll2, Else Marie Olsen3,4
1Infant and Toddler Psychiatric Department, Child and Adolescent Centre, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Glostrup, Denmark.
Insights
Infants experiencing combined feeding, sleeping, or crying problems (RPs) often require attention beyond 2 months. Early RPs are key predictors of later issues, suggesting a need for targeted parental guidance.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Infant Development
- Maternal Mental Health
Background:
- Regulatory problems (RPs) in feeding, sleeping, and crying are common in infancy.
- Maternal mental health and parent-child relationship issues may influence infant RPs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate infant regulatory problems (RPs) in feeding, sleeping, and crying.
- To explore the impact of maternal mental health and parent-child relationship problems on infant RPs.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from general child health surveillance involving 2598 infants.
- Employed descriptive statistics and logistic regression models to analyze RPs.
- Merged surveillance data with national registers for comprehensive analysis.
Main Results:
- Combined RPs (C-RPs) affected 2.9% (2-6 months) and 8.6% (8-11 months) of infants.
- Early RPs strongly predicted late C-RPs (OR 3.4).
- Maternal education and immigrant status were associated with increased risk of late C-RPs.
Conclusions:
- Infant RPs can persist independently of maternal mental health or relationship issues.
- Infants with RPs beyond 2 months need specialized clinical and community attention.
- Interventions should focus on guiding parents to manage infant sensitivity and reactions.
Objective:
To study regulatory problems (RPs) of feeding, sleeping and excessive crying in infancy, and explore the influence of maternal mental health problems and parent-child relationship problems.
Design And Setting:
Data were collected in the general child health surveillance delivered to infant families by community health nurses (CHNs). Information on CHNs' assessments and conclusions were obtained on 2598 infants and merged with data from national registers. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were used to study RPs in early and late infancy, and the influences due to child, family and parent-child relationship problems.
Results:
Combined RPs (C-RPs), defined as two or more simultaneous problems of feeding, sleeping or excessive crying, was identified in 2.9% and 8.6% of the population between age 2-6 and 8-11 months, respectively. Low maternal schooling and immigrant parents were associated with an increased risk of late C-RPs, but RPs in early infancy stand out as the main predictor of late C-RPs OR 3.4 (95% CI 1.8 to 6.6), and the effect of early maternal mental health problems and parent-child relationship problems seem to be mediated by early C-RPs.
Conclusions:
Combined problems of feeding, sleeping or excessive crying may exist throughout infancy independently of exposures to maternal mental health problems and parent-child relationship problems. The results indicate that infants with RPs exceeding age 2 months need special attention, in clinical as well as community settings. Suggested intervention includes specific guidance to the parents to help them understand and regulate their infant's sensitivity and reactions.
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