Crying, excessive (0-6 months)

Alternative names:

excessive crying (in infants 0-6 months)

Definition:

Excessive crying or irritability in infants up to 6 months old.

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 child to have a fussy period in the evening. However, excessive crying may suggest a disorder that requires treatment.

Common causes:

• boredom or loneliness
• discomfort such as irritation from a wet or dirty diaper, excessive gas, or feeling cold
• hunger or thirst
• pain
• major illness
• medications
• minor illness
• 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

Note: There may be other causes of excessive crying in an infant. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for excessive crying in an infant, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.