CRYING BABY LESS THAN 3 MONTHS OLD (INCLUDES COLIC)

Symptom Definition

• A child less than 90 days of age has the sudden onset of unexplained crying.
• The younger the child, the harder it is to identify the cause of the crying.

Causes

• Main cause of recurrent crying:  colic (excessive normal fussy crying).
• Common causes of new crying: hunger, sleepy, pain, too cold, too hot, clothing too tight.

See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If

• Age older than 3 months old (not colic), see CRYING CHILD OLDER THAN 3 MONTHS OLD.
• FEVER or any symptoms of an illness, see that topic.

WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR FOR CRYING BABY LESS THAN 3 MONTHS OLD

Call 911 Now (your child may need an ambulance)

• Not moving or very weak

Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If

• Your child looks or acts very sick.
• Age less than 1 month old and looks or acts sick in any way
• Age less than 3 months with fever above 100.4°F (38°C) rectally.
• Low temperature below 96.8° F (36.0°C) rectally.
• Injury suspected.
• Bulging or swollen soft spot.
• Swollen scrotum
• Vomiting.
• You are afraid you might hurt your baby or have shaken your baby.
• Your baby cannot be comforted after trying for more than 2 hours.

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9am and 4pm) If

• You think your child needs to be seen.
• Not gaining weight or seems hungry.
• You are exhausted from all the crying.

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If

• You have other questions or concerns.
• Your baby has never been examined for the colic.
• Crying began after 1 month of age.  
• Crying occurs 3 or more times per day.

Parent Care at Home If

• Normal colic and you don't think your child needs to be seen.

HOME ADVICE FOR COLIC

1. Reassurance:  Colic is the normal fussy crying seen in healthy babies.  It occurs once or twice a day and should respond to comforting.  With colic, babies act happy between bouts of crying.
2. Hold and Comfort:  Hold and soothe your baby whenever he cries without a reason.  The horizontal position is best for helping a baby relax, settle down, and go to sleep.
   • Provide a gentle rocking motion in a cradle or rocking chair.
   • Dance with your baby to some slow music.
   • Place in a front pack or sling (which frees the hands of the caregiver).
   • Place in a wind-up swing or a vibrating chair.
   • Take for a stroller (or buggy) ride - outdoors or indoors.
3. Warm Bath:  If crying continues, take a warm bath with your baby.
4. Feedings:  Feed your baby, if more than 2 hours since the last feeding (1½ hours for breast fed).
5. Cry to Sleep: Put your baby down to sleep, if more than 3 hours have passed since the last nap and you have tried quiet holding for more than 30 minutes. Some overtired infants need to cry themselves to sleep. Swaddling often helps. Wrap your child in a light blanket with the arms tucked close to the body.
6. Expected Course:  Once you find the right technique, the crying should decrease to 1 hour per day.  Colic improves after 2 months of age and is gone by 3 months.
7. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Cannot be comforted, using this advice.
   • Cries constantly for more than 2 hours, using this advice.
   • Your child becomes worse or develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Pediatric HouseCalls Online. Copyright © 2000-2004 Barton Schmitt, M.D. FAAP

Reviewed 8/2004

Revised 8/2004

See Other Topics:

• Crying Child Older Than 3 Months Old (Irritability, Fussiness)
• Fever

View Anatomic Index of Topics