Crying, Gas and Fussiness
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Long bouts of crying negatively affect postpartum moms
A new study confirms that when exposed to prolonged crying, new moms experienced helplessness, anxiety, sadness and frustration.1
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Frustration in particular was shown to increase continually over time.
Study design1:
- Randomized, controlled trial of 111 primiparous postpartum women with healthy infant <6 months old
- Subjects randomized to listen to 10-minute recording of either a crying or a cooing infant
- Without knowing how long recording would last, subjects were asked to listen and think of recording as if they were holding their own healthy infant after he or she had been fed and changed
- While continually listening, participants were asked to record their frustration on visual analog slider scale, and to record positive/negative emotions, and soothing/coping strategies, among other measures
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When frustrated moms come to you, they need your help right away.
Start a dialogue by helping her understand what’s happening.
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Some moms may not tell you that their baby is crying a lot. They may not recognize this as a possible feeding issue.
Help them by probing these issues first, especially for the first 3 months, at every visit:
- Ask whether her baby has crying/fussy episodes
- If the answer is yes, ask her how often her baby has these episodes and how long the episodes last
- Encourage her to share her feelings and reassure her that she’s not alone
Help moms to understand what’s happening by sharing facts and dispelling myths:
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What is Normal Crying vs Colic: Myth vs Truth
Moms can find confusing information about colic and how to help their crying, fussy baby feel better. Providing the real facts about what’s normal crying and fussiness in their baby goes a long way to dispelling myths and calming moms’ frustrations.
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Crying and Colicky Behavior: Questions to Ask Your Pediatrician
Here are some key questions concerned moms can use to help them get the answers they need including a checklist of things to do or write down to prepare for a visit to the pediatrician.
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Crying, Fussiness, and Colic: What Doctors Are Learning
Doctors and researchers have a number of theories about what causes babies’ crying, fussiness, and colic. Moms can read about what doctors are saying and thinking to give them a sense of comfort that this is an issue that many moms are facing.
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Coping with Crying or Colicky Baby: Everyday Tips
Frustrated moms are looking for advice as to what she can do to ease her baby’s discomfort. Helpful suggestions include a variety of calming techniques as well as advice on knowing when it’s time to call the pediatrician.
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Gassy Baby: Myth Versus Truth
Could her baby’s mood help prevent gas? This article answers this and other infant digestion questions. For instance, when baby is excited or keyed up, she is more likely to gulp air as she rushes through feeding.
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Newborn Gas: Questions to Ask Your Pediatrician
When moms and babies go home from the hospital, infant gas is to be expected – and it’s perfectly normal. This article identifies questions for mom to consider asking their pediatrician and how to prepare for a pediatrician appointment.
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Help To Ease Baby’s Gas: Everyday Tips
Simple, everyday tips to ease baby’s gas and make baby more comfortable.
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Baby Gas: What Doctors Are Learning
Experts are continuing to find ways to reduce gas and the related discomfort.
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Reference: 1. Barr RG et al. Infant Behav Dev. 2014;37:652-664.