Excessive crying in infancy is fortunately not an issue for most new parents. But unfortunately, the number of children who cry seemingly without reason is on the rise. Experts are not yet in complete agreement on the causes, however.
What is excessive crying in infancy?
The causes of excessive crying in infancy are usually seen in adjustment difficulties of the child. Excessive crying in infancy is understood to be the “rule of 3.” This means that the children in question cry for more than three hours a day, at least three days a week, and for at least three weeks. Signs of illness are only recognizable in the fewest cases and after a short time the parents concerned are often in despair: How can they help? What is the cause? The fact is that parents are not usually to blame, especially since children who already have siblings tend to cry excessively more often. The parents therefore bring a certain experience in dealing with the infant, thus on a wrong behavior on the part of the parents is unlikely to conclude.
Causes
The causes of excessive crying in infancy are usually seen in adjustment difficulties of the child. That is, it has been comfortable in its mother’s womb for nine months and then has been born into a world that is foreign to it. Since it cannot make its displeasure clear by speaking, it cries. Other experts see physical causes in the excessive crying. They suspect that the child’s intestinal tract, which is still sensitive, is not yet able to cope with the infant food or that there are intolerances to food eaten by the mother. Still others assume that everything is too much for the baby; it notices the stress of the overburdened parents and is therefore under stress itself. In order to relieve this, it cries. Regulation disorders can also be causal for infant crying fits.
Diseases with this symptom
- Regulatory disorders
- Inguinal hernia in children
- Three-month colic
- Otitis media
- Umbilical hernia
- Teething
Diagnosis and course
For diagnosis, the doctor applies the “rule of 3” mentioned above. He first takes all the data concerning the child and the parents. It is usually recommended that a cry diary be kept so that it is clear how often and how long the crying episodes actually are. Then a treatment tailored to the specific situation can be started. Often, infants cry excessively right from the day of birth. This increases within the first week and then remains at a continuous level. In most cases, between the seventh and twelfth week of life, everything is over and the child finds his inner peace.
Complications
Excessive crying in infancy is especially stressful for the baby’s parents. Complications can arise for parents and child because of this. First, there is a risk of not immediately recognizing what the infant has because he or she can only articulate through crying. It could be pain, discomfort, tension and dislocation, or simply a harmless but pronounced need for closeness. Even a pediatrician may not be able to figure it out right away and must first examine the infant in detail. The parents of an infant who cries excessively, in turn, suffer from nervous tension, restlessness, and usually also from extreme sleep deprivation with all its consequences and risks, and are thus also more physically vulnerable. This can easily lead to postpartum depression, especially in mothers. In principle, a father can also struggle with depressive moods if he witnesses excessive crying in infancy with his child. Depression in parents often leads to neglect of the child, but of course it also leaves bad consequences for the parents themselves and should be recognized and treated as soon as possible. However, since a certain baby blues is normal and thus depression caused by excessive crying in infancy is often not recognized, parents often remain alone with their problem for a long time.
When should you go to the doctor?
Parents are often confused: Is their baby’s crying still within normal limits or is it already “Excessive crying in infancy”?Young and inexperienced parents in particular often worry about this, but are often reluctant to see a doctor about it right away. Some even receive advice that extensive crying of their baby strengthens its lungs or that it is not good to pay extra attention to a crying baby because of this. However, excessive crying in infancy is definitely a reason to present the child to a pediatrician. For excessive crying in infancy, there is a clearly defining rule of 3: In this, babies cry out
- More than 3 hours a day
- At least 3 days a week
- For at least 3 weeks
Excessive crying in infancy may be due to the character of the baby and therefore harmless. However, it may equally be due to an unpleasant condition for the child or even a serious health condition. After all, an infant cannot express in words what is wrong with him. Loud crying should therefore initially be regarded as an alarm signal from the child. Parents should therefore immediately visit the practice of a pediatrician with their child in the event of excessive crying in infancy – rather once too much than too little.
Treatment and therapy
There are no direct treatment options for excessive crying. After finding out at what times the baby cries particularly often, further research into the cause and possibly an avoidance of the situation in question can be attempted. In some cases, it is simply stress from many visits and activities with the newborn that causes the crying. In less clear cases the midwife can help, she will usually give the baby the homeopathic remedy Nux vomica. This medication is supposed to cause the baby to calm down and forget about the previous stress. Whether it really helps, no one knows for sure, but it is worth a try. Before doing so, however, the pediatrician’s advice should be sought in this regard. Many doctors refer parents directly to a crying clinic. Such facilities now exist in many larger cities. Among other things, the child’s brain waves are measured there so that any abnormal processes in the brain processes and structures can be detected. In some cases, computer tomographies are also taken so that neural disorders can be ruled out. Otherwise, the treatment options for excessive crying are limited; the old rule helps here: wait and see. In the truest sense of the word, parents are treated with tea here, they can drink calming teas to counter the few quiet times of the day with inner peace and sleep.
Outlook and prognosis
Excessive crying in infancy is stressful for everyone involved, both the infant himself and the parents. If it occurs in the first days of life, it needs to be investigated at this early stage, because it may be that there is a serious problem behind it. Since most infants are still in the hospital in their first days of life anyway and can be treated if necessary, their chances are good that health problems will be detected and the crying will stop as a result. However, excessive crying in infancy can occur without a physical background, and some babies cry more than others. This can go on for several months without parents being able to do much about it other than hug and comfort their infant. In these cases of excessive crying in infancy, the parents must also be involved for a good outlook on the family’s future development. Otherwise, the infant may survive the crying phase without further damage, but the parents’ relationship with their child may be severely damaged. If nothing can be done about the crying itself, the parents must be relieved and should be pointed to the crying outpatient clinics of hospitals in larger cities, to which they can turn if they are at a loss.
Prevention
Excessive crying cannot be prevented. It is believed that avoiding stress and an unhealthy lifestyle during pregnancy can help to mitigate crying later in life. However, it cannot be prevented altogether until the actual causes of crying babies are determined. Rest and staying in a familiar and nurturing environment are generally seen as ways to prevent crying.
You can do it yourself
Provided that an organic cause behind the infant’s excessive crying can be ruled out, the background must be approached slowly. Initially, the baby should not be agitated. Visits should be kept to a minimum. Avoiding distractions such as watching television or engaging in activities that are stressful for the baby can also help. Excessive crying in the baby may also be due to chronic overtiredness. It is advisable to put the child to sleep at regular intervals. A period of wakefulness of one to one and a half hours should be followed by a rest period in which the infant can recover. This avoids a sensory overload. A well-structured day gives the child security. If it is also difficult to fall asleep, a warm bath or a gentle massage can help to calm the baby. So-called crying babies need a lot of attention and positive encouragement. Affected children should be spoken to in as calm and monotone a voice as possible. This should be maintained even if there is no immediate improvement and the child continues to cry excessively. Periods when the baby is not crying should also be used. Affected parents should ensure that there is plenty of physical contact during the quiet periods. It can be very helpful to lay the naked baby on the chest, which is also naked.
