Excessive crying in babies, why is the baby crying all the time: What's it, causes, symptoms, diagnostics, treatment, prevention

Excessive crying in infants; Infants – excessive crying; Well child – excessive crying

Excessive crying of babies, sometimes called baby crying syndrome, represents a state, in which the baby cries for a long period of time. Crying can last for hours every day, and in some cases days. It is estimated, that up to forty percent of healthy, well-nourished babies experience this condition. Excessive crying can be extremely tiring and frustrating for the baby., as well as for parents, and can also lead to other problems, such as sleep deprivation, postpartum depression and anxiety.

Causes of excessive crying in babies

Babies usually cry 1 to 3 hours per day. It's perfectly normal for a baby to cry., when he is hungry, wants to drink, tired, alone or in pain.

But if the baby cries too often, perhaps, he has a health problem, requiring attention.

The exact cause of excessive crying in babies is unknown., but considered, that it is caused by a combination of biological and environmental factors. Some of the possible reasons include:

• Gripes. Colic is defined as excessive and intense crying in an otherwise healthy baby., usually beginning within the first few weeks of life and ending by 4–6 months of age. The cause of colic is unknown, but considered, that it is related to digestive problems or sensitivity to light, sound or touch.
• Prematurity. Premature babies may be more prone to excessive crying due to their central nervous system immaturity and/or digestive system instability..
• Hastroэzofahealnыy reflux. Hastroэzofahealnыy reflux (FAMILY) backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus. It may cause discomfort, pain and regurgitation in babies, and can also lead to excessive crying.
• Hunger. Babies may cry, when hungry, and they don't have enough milk or formula at feeding time.
• Hyperstimulation. Exposure to light, sounds or people may be too strong for some babies and cause them to cry excessively.
• Disease. Babies may cry more, than usual, when they are sick or in pain.
• Development. Babies may cry more intensely before developmental milestones, such as learning to crawl or walk.

Symptoms of excessive crying in babies

The main symptom of excessive crying in babies is, of course, intense and frequent crying. Crying may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as nervousness, difficulty feeding or insomnia. In very rare cases, crying can be so intense and prolonged, that it is called "inconsolable crying".

When to see a doctor

If your baby is crying more, than usual, and crying for a long period of time, it is recommended to consult a doctor. The doctor may recommend contacting a pediatrician or other healthcare professional. Even if the cause is colic or another non-serious condition, it is important to rule out any serious illness, such as infections or heart disease.

Questions, that your doctor may ask

When visiting a doctor, you may be asked a number of questions, to help determine the cause of your baby's excessive crying. These may include:

• How old is your child?
• How often does your baby cry?
• How long does your baby cry?
• Does your child have other symptoms?
• Has your child had a history of allergies or reflux??
• Has your child's daily routine changed??
• Are you breastfeeding or bottle feeding??
• Are there any external factors, which may cause your baby to cry, such as loud noises or bright lights?
• The child is teething?
• The child is bored, alone, hungry, thirsty?
• Seems, that the child has a lot of gas?
• What other symptoms does the child have?? For Example, difficulty waking up, fever, irritability, poor appetite or vomiting?

Diagnosis of excessive crying in babies

If your doctor suspects, that your child is crying excessively, he can do routine tests, to rule out any serious illness. Tests may include a physical examination, blood tests and chest imaging, belly and head. If they still can't determine the cause, they can also refer you to a specialist.

Treating excessive crying in babies

Treatment for excessive crying in babies may depend on the underlying cause. For colic, treatment may include the use of over-the-counter medications, to relieve symptoms, and creating a soothing regimen, to help calm the baby. If your child has GER, treatment may include taking medication to reduce stomach acid or changing your diet to improve digestion. If your child is sick or in pain, treatment may include medications or treatments, helping to manage symptoms.

Treating excessive crying in babies at home

There are some things, which you can make at home, to calm your baby's excessive crying. These include:

• Creating a calm environment. Try to find a quiet dark room, where there are no distractions and noises, to calm the child.
• Comfort your baby with touch. Try different gentle touches and strokes, to calm the child.
• Using white noise. White noise can help mask other noises., that can cause a child to overexcite and cry.
• swaddling baby. Swaddling a baby in a blanket gives him a sense of security and helps to minimize his movements., reducing the amount of stimulation they receive.
• Feeding. Check, that you are feeding your baby regularly and adequately for his age.
• Baby massage. Baby Massage Helps Improve Digestion and Reduce Nervousness, which leads to less crying.
• Walking or swinging. Walking or rocking your child can help establish a steady rhythm., which calms and helps him calm down.

Prevention of excessive crying in babies

The exact cause of excessive crying in babies is unknown., so it's not always possible to prevent it.. Nonetheless, there are some things, which you can do, to reduce the chance of your baby crying excessively. These include:

• Practice breastfeeding. Breastfeeding may help reduce symptoms of colic, as well as reduce frequent crying.
• Reduce baby's overstimulation. Check, that noise and light are kept to a minimum, and between classes the child should have as many breaks as possible.
• Create a soothing environment. Create a comfortable, soothing environment, which will soothe your child.
• Track feedings. Pay attention to that, how much does your child eat, To make sure, that he is getting enough food.
• Stick to a Schedule. A regular routine will help your baby feel safe and reduce the amount of crying..
• Monitor your child's condition. Pay attention to any signs of illness, such as fever, rash or diarrhea, and seek medical attention, if you think, that your child is sick.

Used sources and literature

Marcdante KJ, Kliegman RM. Crying and colic. In: Marcdante KJ, Kliegman RM, eds. Nelson Essentials of Pediatrics. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 11.

Onigbanjo MT, Feigelman S. The first year. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Bloom NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 22.

Pomeranz AJ, Sabnis St, Busey SL, Kliegman RM. Irritable infant (fussy or excessively crying infant). In: Pomeranz AJ, Sabnis St, Busey SL, Kliegman RM, eds. Pediatric Decision-Making Strategies. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 79.