FUSSY BABIES - part I By Teri Allen, OTR If your baby seems to cry a lot, you probably feel like most parents; frustrated, exhausted and anxious to know if your baby is OK. It is not unusual for babies to cry and fuss. Dr. T. Berry Brazelton did a study of normal full term infants. He found that in babies' first seven weeks they averaged 2 & 1/4 hours of crying a day. That's a lot of crying! So, why be concerned? Parents are concerned because a good portion of their time and energy may be consumed trying to calm their baby. Health care professionals are concerned because they have observed that children with problems related to learning, attention, coordination, or behavior often are described as infants who were fussy, colicky, or irritable. In fact, some babies are excessive criers, can't sleep, never seem to settle down, and exhibit other behaviors which go beyond the norm. We often refer to these babies as "fussy". It may be difficult to identify a problem with these infants and toddlers because they usually perform in normal ranges on developmental tests. Further, the difference between a normal baby who cries and one who is "fussy" is often viewed as a matter of opinion. So, how do you know if your baby is exhibiting normal crying and other behaviors or if he might be considered "fussy"? Researchers at the Reginald S. Lourie Center for Infants and Young Children have provided some criteria to help us identify babies who may need further evaluation. If you have concerns about your baby, look at the following behaviors: 1. Sleep - Does your baby have trouble getting to sleep, awaken frequently, take few naps, need little sleep? Is his sleep easily disturbed? 2. Calming - Is it difficult to calm your baby once he is upset? Does he easily escalate to crying or tantrums? Is he unable to calm himself for a brief time by sucking on a pacifier, hugging his favorite blanket, etc. 3. Feeding - Has your baby settled into a feeding schedule? Is he unusually distressed at feeding, or a picky eater with solids? Is he unable to wait for his food when hungry? Has he failed to gain weight or does he need to suck excessively? 4. Arousal - Is he over alert and easily overstimulated by changes in his environment, for instance, the sound of a door closing? Is he easily distressed when out of his normal environment? 5. Mood Stability - is he unpredictable? Does his mood seem to change quickly? 6. Movement - Does he avoid being in certain positions i.e., on his tummy or back? Is he always in motion, can't sit still? Babies under six months of age may have minor problems in these areas. If your baby is over six months of age and these behaviors cause you concern, he should have further evaluation. Discuss this with your doctor to determine if there are medical issues. Next, talk with an occupational or physical therapist specializing in treating young children. They can provide the objective evaluation to help you determine whether your baby is "fussy" or perfectly normal. Stay tuned for "Fussy Babies, Part II, A Survival Guide for Parents"...... |
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