Crying Infant: Therapy

Therapy depends on the cause of the condition. Drug therapy is not indicated for excessive crying!

The following is advice for those affected on general measures in terms of self-help.

General measures

• Calming the child – observing what is good for the child, e.g.:
  • Cuddling
  • Carry the baby close to the body, for example, in a sling
  • Rocking the child, for example, in a rocking chair or cradle.
  • Walk with the stroller
  • Bathe the child warmly
  • Abdominal massage
  • Etc.
• If the baby sleeps more than three hours at a time during the day, he should be gently awakened so that he gets used to a normal day-night rhythm.
• If the baby is tired and not crying, he should be put down without close contact with a parent to learn to go to sleep on his own.
• The interval between feedings should not be less than two hours, because the baby’s stomach needs about two hours to empty. Otherwise, it may cause abdominal pain. The baby is not hungry every time he cries. In the first three months of life, the baby needs between 5 and 7 meals in 24 hours.
• Breastfeeding should avoid caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea and cola.
• Parents of excessively crying babies should pay attention to sufficient rest periods for themselves. If the baby sometimes sleeps, parents should also lie down.
• For support, relatives and friends should be involved from time to time, so that the parents also have the opportunity to see something else.
• Never shake the child if the crying can no longer be endured! Shaking can lead to severe, lifelong disabilities due to brain hemorrhage.
• A family doctor or pediatrician (pediatrician) should be consulted if:
  • The child’s crying seems different from usual or painful.
  • The crying lasts longer than three hours
  • The child refuses to drink
  • Fever occurs (> 38.5 °C)
  • The child vomits
  • A protrusion is seen or palpable in the groin region
  • The child seems lethargic after prolonged crying

Nutritional medicine

• If necessary, administration of probiotics and fench extracts; however, no evidence-based studies are available to date.

Psychotherapy

• Psychoeducation of parents (patient sympathy).
• If necessary, referral in the context of psychosocial care to counseling centers of “early help” and “crying ambulances”.

Complementary treatment methods

• Acupuncture *
• Baby massage
• Chiropractic (craniosacral therapy) *
• Osteopathy *

* No evidence-based literature available.