Crying Child Older Than 3 Months Old (Irritability, Fussiness)
CRYING CHILD OLDER THAN 3 MONTHS OLD (IRRITABILITY, FUSSINESS)
Symptom Definition
Excessive crying, irritability or fussiness.
Child is too young to tell us or show us the cause for his crying.
Causes
Main cause: coming down with an illness.
Other common causes: overtired, stressed, whining, tantrums, separation anxiety, or pain. Note: teething generally doesn't cause crying.
See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If
FEVER or any symptom of illness, see that topic.
Crying from an injury, see specific INJURY topic.
(To go directly to these topics, click on the links following this document.)
WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR FOR CRYING CHILD OLDER 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.
Stiff neck or bulging soft spot.
Possible injury (especially head or bone injury).
Very irritable, screaming child for more than 1 hour.
You are afraid you might hurt your baby.
Your child cannot be comforted after trying for more than 2 hours.
Crying interferes with sleeping for more than 2 hours.
Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9am and 4pm) If
You think your child needs to be seen.
Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If
You have other questions or concerns.
Mild, off-and-on fussiness (acts normal when not crying) continues for more than 2 days.
Parent Care at Home If
Mild fussiness present less than 2 days and you don't think your child needs to be seen.
HOME CARE ADVICE FOR MILD, CONSOLABLE CRYING
1. Reassurance: Most infants/toddlers become somewhat irritable and fussy when sick or overtired. Crying tells us your child is not feeling well. If the crying responds to comforting, it's probably not serious.
2. Comforting: Try to comfort your child by holding, rocking, massage, etc.
3. Sleep: If your child is tired, put him to bed. If he needs to be held, hold him quietly in a horizontal position or lie next to him. Some overtired infants need to cry themselves to sleep.
4. Undress your Child: Sometimes part of the clothing is too tight or uncomfortable. Also check the skin for redness or swelling (e.g., insect bite).
5. Expected Course: Most fussiness with illnesses resolves when the illness does. Most fussiness due to stress or change (e.g., new day care) lasts less than 1 week.
6. Call Your Doctor If:
Constant crying lasts for more than 2 hours.
Intermittent crying lasts more than 2 days.
Your child becomes worse or develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital is located in Palo Alto, adjacent to Stanford University Hospital, approximately 20 miles north of San Jose, CA and 40 miles south of San Francisco.
