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Irritability / Fussiness (Crying Child > 3 Months Old)

Description / Symptoms

  • Excessive crying, irritability or fussiness
  • Child is too young to tell us or show us the cause for his crying

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 an illness, see that topic or Fever
  • If crying from an injury, see specific Injury topic

When to Call Your Doctor for Irritability / Fussiness

Call Your Doctor Now 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 > 1 hour
  • You are afraid you might hurt your baby
  • Your child cannot be comforted after trying for > 2 hours
  • Crying interferes with sleeping for > 2 hours

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours If:

  • You think your child needs to be seen

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Hours If:

  • You have other questions or concerns
  • Mild, off-and-on fussiness (acts normal when not crying) continues > 2 days

Home Care (Read "Call Your Doctor…" first):

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.

Comforting

Try to comfort your child by holding, rocking, massage, etc.

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.

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).

Expected Course

Most fussiness with illnesses resolves when the illness does. Most fussiness due to stress or change (eg new day care) lasts less than 1 week.

Call Your Doctor If:

  • Constant crying lasts > 2 hours
  • Intermittent crying lasts > 2 days
  • Your child becomes worse or develops any of the "Call Your Doctor…" symptoms

Parent Care for Pediatric Symptoms. Copyright 2000-2006.