1. Problem crying in infancy

Up to 20% of parents report a problem with infant crying or irritability in the first 3 months of life. Crying usually peaks at 6 weeks and abates by 12–16 weeks. For most irritable infants, there is no underlying medical cause. In a minority, the cause is cow's milk and other food allergy. Onl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Medical journal of Australia 2004-11, Vol.181 (9), p.507-512
Main Authors: Hiscock, Harriet, Jordan, Brigid
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algorithms
Biological and medical sciences
Causality
Crying - physiology
Crying - psychology
Decision Trees
Flatulence - diagnosis
Flatulence - therapy
Food Hypersensitivity - diagnosis
Food Hypersensitivity - therapy
Gastroesophageal Reflux - diagnosis
Gastroesophageal Reflux - therapy
General aspects
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Information Services
Irritable Mood - physiology
Lactose Intolerance - diagnosis
Lactose Intolerance - therapy
Male
Medical History Taking - methods
Medical sciences
Models, Psychological
Mother-Child Relations
Parenting - psychology
Parents - education
Parents - psychology
Pediatric medicine
Pediatrics - methods
Physical Examination - methods
Primary Health Care - methods
Referral and Consultation
Social Support
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Summary:Up to 20% of parents report a problem with infant crying or irritability in the first 3 months of life. Crying usually peaks at 6 weeks and abates by 12–16 weeks. For most irritable infants, there is no underlying medical cause. In a minority, the cause is cow's milk and other food allergy. Only if frequent vomiting (about five times a day) occurs is gastro‐oesophageal reflux a likely cause. It is important to assess the mother–infant relationship and maternal fatigue, anxiety and depression. Management of excessive crying includes: ➢explaining babies’ normal crying and sleeping patterns; ➢helping parents help their baby deal with discomfort and distress through a baby‐centred approach; ➢helping parents recognise when their baby is tired and apply a consistent approach to settling their baby; ➢encouraging parents to accept help from friends and family, and to simplify household tasks. If they are unable to manage their baby's crying, admission to a parenting centre (day stay or overnight stay) or local hospital should be arranged.
ISSN:0025-729X
1326-5377
DOI:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2004.tb06414.x