Excessive crying (infants 0-6 months)
Key points
- It is perfectly normal for an infant to cry when he or she wants to communicate hunger, thirst, discomfort, tiredness, or loneliness.
- Follow the health care provider's treatment advice, which will depend on the cause.
- For bacterial infections, antibiotics may be prescribed.
- It is also normal for a baby to have a fussy period in the evening.
Alternative names
Crying - excessive (0-6 months)
Considerations
Infants normally cry from 1 to 3 hours a day. It is perfectly normal for an infant to cry when he or she wants to communicate hunger, thirst, discomfort, tiredness, or loneliness. It is also normal for a baby to have a fussy period in the evening.
However, if an infant cries too often it may suggest a disorder that requires treatment.
Common Causes
- Boredom or loneliness
- Discomfort or irritation from a wet or dirty diaper, excessive gas, or feeling cold
- Hunger or thirst
- Pain
- Major illness
- Minor illness
- Medications
- Infection (May be likely if the crying is accompanied by irritability, lethargy, poor appetite, or fever. Consult your baby's health care provider.)
- Being awakened by normal muscle jerks and twitches that disturb the process of going to sleep
- Teething
- Colic in infants
Home Care
Follow the health care provider's treatment advice, which will depend on the cause.
If the infant seems constantly hungry despite short, frequent feedings, consult with a health care provider about normal growth and feeding times.
If crying is due to boredom or loneliness, then touch, hold, and talk to the infant more and place the infant within sight. Place baby-safe toys where the child can see them. If due to sleep disturbance, wrap the baby firmly in a blanket before putting him or her to bed.
For excessive crying in infants due to cold, dress the infant warmly or adjust the temperature. Typically, if adults are cold, the baby is cold also.
Always check for possible causes of pain or discomfort in a crying baby. Look for diaper pins that have become loose or loose threads which have become tightly wrapped around fingers or toes. Diaper rashes also can be uncomfortable.
Take your baby's temperature to check for fever. Check your baby head to toe for any injuries. Pay particular attention to the fingers, toes, and genitalia. It is not uncommon for a hair to get wrapped around part of your baby, creating a painful "hair tourniquet".
Call your health care provider if
- Excessive crying remains unexplained and unresolved for more than one day, despite attempts at home treatment.
Written and revised by
David Cohen, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.