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KidsCare Online

Crying Baby
Less Than 3 Months

Care at Home

Reassurance:
- Normal Crying:All babies cry when they are hungry. The average baby has 1 to 2 hours of unexplained crying scattered thoughout the day. As long as they are happy and content when they are not crying, this is normal.
- Colic:Some babies cry excessively (more than 3 hours a day) or are very difficult to comfort. If they are growing normally and have a normal medical exam, the crying is called colic. Remind yourself that colic is a part of your baby's temperment (personality) and has nothing to do with your parenting or any disease.
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 up your hands).
- Place in a wind-up swing or a vibrating chair.
- Give a stroller (or buggy) ride - outdoors or indoors.
Warm Bath: If crying continues, take a warm bath with your baby.
Feedings: Feed your baby, if more than 2 hours since the last feeding (1½ hours for breast fed).
Sleep and Swadling: 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 by wrapping your child in a light blanket with the arms tucked close to the body. Place the infant on its back in the crib.
Warning: Never shake a baby. It can cause bleeding on the brain and severe brain damage. Also never leave your baby with someone who is immature or has a bad temper.
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 usually gone by 3 months.
IF your child becomes worse: Review Should I Call? recommendations.