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What Causes Excessive Crying In An Infant?

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Posted on Thu, 27 Aug 2015
Question: Child specialist
I have a baby boy of 22 days only. I am not able find out what happend to him after 1 week coming from hospital. He feels very uneasy specially. He cries a lot. He cry such a way suddenly suddenly that he has some internal pain problem somewhere in stomach may be as gas forms time to time and stomach gets hard. He has no problem with feeding. But when we keep him on bed or get disturb while changing diper etc. I don't know what is happening.

I went to child specialist also recently he gave him one colpep 6-6-6 drops 3 times for 10 days and calshine p 10 drops one time for 30 days. But no help he cries like he has pain somewhere which he feels suddenly suddenly. May be naval pain etc.. He got fews prickly heats on face and little bit on arms and but doctor checked and said it happens. He stops crying only when his mind get diverted by shaking his body or while feeding.

Please suggest. We are tensed and tired of awaking night and night..
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Don't worry much

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

I can understand your concern.In new born during initial few weeks there is no established day and night pattern.Most of the babies sleep throughout the day and they are awake,crying and troublesome during the night.The babies are less likely to fed during night time and they often cry due to hunger.
It seems that during day time in the womb when mother is active,baby enjoy rocking movement inside and get active and playful when mother goes to bed.
This pattern continue for few weeks when the baby comes out of womb.
Most of the sleep issues noticed at this age is due to discrepancy between the parents expectation and baby's developmentally appropriate sleep behavior.
If baby is crying excessively and you have checked for wet diaper and he is not hungry,it may be due to colic.
Giving colic drops,proper burp and keeping baby in upright position for few minutes after feed helps in colic.
Few skin lesions like erythema toxicum is normal in early weeks.
I wont get worried if baby is accepting feeds well,passing urine/stool,active,playful and gaining weight properly.

I hope this helps in alleviating your aqxiety.
I shall be glad to answer if you have any more queries.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (5 hours later)
ok sir.. actually this is our first baby. is medicine prescribed by doctor is fine? actually he moves his body such a way that like someone has body pain etc and suddenly suddenly he feel some uneasiness. what is calshipe p use for?

want to ask that is Himalaya baby product is fine ? we r using Himalaya baby powder , Himalaya massage oil . Johnson's product having chemicals people saying. please suggest for baby's proper development if any . how to care naval part? how many times baby should be taken bath and use liquid soap?

thanks for replying all my concern.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
The prescribed medication is right

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back

The prescribed medication is right.The Calshine P is a Vitamin D3 supplement.
According to guideline all the babies below one year of age should be given Vit D supplementation as it has been seen that these babies are deficient in Vitamin D.

I don't find any problem in using Himalaya products.Don't apply powder to the naval.apart from this there is no need of extra care for naval region.
In this season you can bath the baby daily.Keep the bathing time short to avoid hypothermia.

Feed him as per demand and monitor weight gain at every 15 days interval.The weight gain of about 25-30 gm/day suggests normal growth.

I shall be glad to answer if you have any more query.
Wish your baby good health.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (2 days later)
Thanks sir.. We are doing one thing since 2 days that we start feeding less not full stomach and at the interval of one to one and half hour and as and when he cries a lot. So that his stomach will be light. Since two day baby feeling little bit easy we find sir.

Some people told us to stop milk for some days as it make gas to mother which effects mother too. Take little bit boiled aizwain water time to time. Take dal etc.

Want to ask that is gripe water is safe to give? When and how to give gripe water to baby? Is continuation of gripe water is recommended? after colpep medicine 10 days course can this be taken?

Thanks sir.. Please comment.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
I won't recommend gripe water

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for follow up

It is good to know that he is accepting feeds well and feeling more comfortable.

You can give boiled aijwain to mother.You can also place it over the baby's tummy.
Avoid beans,spices in mother's diet.But I won't suggest you to stop the breast feed.Breast feed is the best feed for baby and there are only few conditions where I recommend not to breast feed.
Breast feed has its own advantage.Once you stop breast feeding the baby the milk production will decrease and that itself is a big problem.Apart from this there are many other problems like increased risk of infection,nipple confusion etc.
Again although the gripe water is in use for decades but I don't recommend it as it contains alcohol.There are many research studies and all have refuted the use of gripe water.
Don't give colic medication as a routine but only when it is needed.

I hope this helps.
Please do ask if you have any more doubts.
Regards


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (3 days later)
Hi, I have provided some attachments. Please review them.

Thanks for reply sir.. Ha ha sir I meant to say about cows milk not to be given to mother for somedays not baby feeding. My mistake I didn't mention cow.

Sir I have attached some pics of baby's skin. I don't apply nething on his face due to this on his face. And little bit he has in his hand neck side and legs but not like on face as looking pus etc. Due to this he feel very uneasy and itching I think and cry. Because he always try to put his fingers on face and shows uneasy. People says these happens but its been 3 weeks its not improving. What to apply on his face to clean some dryness type near ear side etc and cure his face and body I don't understand. Some people say apply powder some say lv it as it is , it will b cure by itself. We just apply Himalaya baby powder on body part as of now.
Please suggest for baby's skin safety. Hope nothing serious.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (31 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Its atopic dermatitis

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking
I have gone through the images.These lesions are atopic dermatitis(a kind of allergic reaction).
I would like to know if there is family history of eczema.
The atopic dermatitis needs to be treated with mild steroid like mometasone.
The pustular lesion is secondary infection.
Maintain proper hygiene and apply mometasone with mupirocin ointment.I hope the lesions should subside within 4-5 days.

I shall be glad to answer if you have any more query.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (33 minutes later)
hmm sir. no sir no any family history. mometasone with mupirocin is different different ointment? Sir what to tell to the chemist while purchasing ? hope its safe ointment for baby skin? as I just send only the pics not seen practically by you. This may b due to his mother allergic to some foods which she might had taken mistakenly in recent days.

Is it fine to give bath to baby in this skin condition. We put regularly 3-4 drops of dettol in warm water to bath. How to clean some dryness type in ear potion side as you can see in pic?

Hope colpep and vitamin d drops can be continue , which I mentioned earlier?

Thanks sir.. Please answer all my doubts.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (23 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Details below

Detailed Answer:
Welcome again

It can occur even in absence of family history.
Both mometasone and mupirocin are different ointment.You can apply them separately at interval of few hours(suppose mometasone during night and mupirocin in morning) or there are combination of mometasone with fusidic acid(an antibiotic available).This is a prescription medicine.So get it prescribed by a physician.
This is safe for baby.After going through the images it appears to be atopic dermatitis or seborrheic dermatitis and management of both the condition is same.
It is always better to get examined by a physician personally.
There is no harm in giving bath.Regular use of Dettol is not recommended in water as this may cause harm to healthy bacteria of our skin surface.Although you can use it presently as there is secondary infection in the skin lesion.
Don't try to remove the scabs/scales forcefully.They will get removed with the application of ointment.
You can continue colic drop for next few days.
Vitamin D drop needs to be given till one year of age.

I hope I have been able to clear all your doubts.
Even now if you have any query I would be glad to answer.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (2 days later)
Hi sir how are you? First of all i thank you for your way of replying and suggestions. Sir I purchased one cream ,which I have attached two pics of that. Yesterday I applied little bit cream on his head and face in night. Not applied whole area as I just wanted to check if there any reactions to baby. But no bad reactions of cream and found bit improvement on the area where I applied. I didn't get ointment as there are only cream available for both the composition.

Now want to ask that am I need to apply whole body ? But On some body parts it is quite small and not like that on face. Pic attached of hand for your reference.
I am applying in night after he sleep otherwise he will touch on face and risky for eyes and mouth.

Sorry to say that if you don't mind can I get any I'd of yours to contact because sir every time just to ask or tell small thing need to recharge. I will recharge definitely if there is any other kind of issues or after a long gap.

Thanks for giving time and replying my query.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Application of this cream will help

Detailed Answer:
Nice to hear from you again.M doing very well and it's good to know that You found my suggestion helpful.
This cream contains 0.1 % of mometasone and 2% of fusidic acid. This much of concentration won't cause any harm to the skin.
You can apply this over the affected area anywhere on the body.
I hope the skin lesion will improve within 7-10 days.
Sorry to say but here on healthcaremagic platform I cannot provide you my contact details.

You can ask me further and I shall be glad to solve that.
Wish for your baby's speedy recovery.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (9 days later)
Hi how are you sir?
Sir baby face improved than earlier. Thanks . I apply as and when it seems coming out again. Can this cream be use by us also when itching etc comes on hand etc ?

Second thing babybgas is forming quite lot and he does farting too.. But I give colpep as and when required.

His Main problem is that his sleeping is not sound sleep since 5 days. He get up very frequently whether it is day or night. Dont know what uneasy he feels and try to move his whole body in between. Needs to carry him maximum time then only if he sleeps little bit.

Today I visited doctor for general checkup and little consult for these. He told use colpep for 10 days more and then sos.

Calshine p to be continue till 6 months, added one more Rxplus multivitamin drops 5 drops daily and can continue for 6 months along with calshine p.

Given VOLIDSPAS drops when baby cries a lot and Doesn't slip etc. Same to be given as and when required.

Today I forgotten to tell baby has very little khasi (cough). He cough once a day daily. I didn't take it so serious. Hope nothing to worry.

Two pic of new medicine is attached. You can check sir.
Please comment on all these. Your advice will help us lot.

Thanks sir.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You can give VOLIDSPAS,continue calshine P

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for follow up,
I am fine and it's good to know that the baby is doing well.

During early infancy the sleep pattern is not regular.As baby grows his sleep pattern gets regular and by the age of 4-6 months it's like older children.
Also baby need to be fed frequently even during night time due to small capacity of stomach.
The advised cream is not suitable for any kind of itch.It is particularly useful in seborrheic or atopic dermatitis.
I won't suggest you to continue colpep drop.Colpep drop contains acetaminophen (antipyratic),phenylephrine (decongestant) and chlorpheniramine (an antiallergic).
It is indicated only when there is significant cough/cold.As already you are giving this drop for about 10 days it is not needed now.
Volidspas is a colic drop and you can give it when baby cries excessively as colic is a major cause of crying in this age.
continue giving calshine P drop till 6 month of age.
You can give multivitamin drop but there is not significant benefit of using it.
I won't get worried for mild cough if there is no vomiting and breathing problem.


I hope this helps.
I shall be glad to answer if you have any more query.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (11 hours later)
Ok thanks for satisfying reply sir. Sometimes baby also don't do potty for whole day also. Due to that baby cries a lot and feel uneasy , which looks very bad that time. For example since yesterday he didn't do potty and now crying a lot.

Second as colpep already given earlier for 10 days. So should I not give for another 10 days as doctor said yesterday? Or only as an when required? Sometimes i think of ayurvedic dabur janam gutti . And what about Rxplus should I give or not as per your opinion?

I found volidspas is bit thick solution.

Last one I want to ask that hope he don't have serious gastric m problem as he is having lot of gas forming problem.

Thanks for your patience reply.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (35 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
No need of colpep.won't suggest janam ghutti

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.


I won't get worried for stool if it is not very hard,not associated with streak of blood and not associated with vomiting or abdominal distension. Passage of stool once in 7 days or 7 times a day is normal in neonates.Gas problem is normal in neonate and more common in bottle fed babies.During feed baby swallows air and that causes excess gas.Please burp the baby properly after each feed.
I would like to know if mother is suffering from some thyroid disorder and whether thyroid profile of baby has been done or not.
If thyroid profile is not done yet I suggest you to get it done.
Colpep drop is not needed on regular basis.If baby developes significance cough/cold consult your physician for its need.
There is no problem if the colic drop is slightly viscous.
I won't suggest janam ghutti as various research article shows there is no benefit of this drop.

Similarly RX PLUS drop is not recommended.It has been seen that except from vitamin D (you are already giving calshine p)no other vitamin or mineral is needed in this age.
Don't get too much worried about any serious gastric issues as nothing is suggestive of that.

I hope this helps.
Please let me know if you have any more doubts.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (2 days later)
Ok sir thanks once again. No sir no problem in stool like you mentioned. Stooling once in a 7 days? Really shocking knowledge for me. How baby stay then? Anyways ,No sir mother don't have any thyroid disorder . I have attached thyroid profile of mother which was done on XXXXXXX 15. Baby thyroid profile is not done bcoz no doctor suggest as such.

Sir may I know why Sudden thyroid profile came to your mind? Anything related to problems I mentioned? Does it require doctor prescription to get it done?

He pass urine very frequently. In every hour 2-3 times approx. On rainy day it gets bit more. Hope these normal. Sir M sharing small small things bcoz a doctor must know to understand the problem.

Main problem is our that he doesn't sleep easily. If at all he sleeps he get up frequently and keep trying to move his whole body, hand and legs very forcely and sounds from throat like when someone try to push anything heavy object very forcefully. Though he has sleep in his eyes. This forcefully movements he does whenever he feel uneasy.

Funny thing when he cries a lot we give his hand slightly near mouth and he stop that moment.

This is my last follow up out of three follow up. At last I want to know that are you available only on healthcaremagic? Or do you have any chamber to visit also? Where u stay and ur chamber sir?

Ok thanks sir.. I follow up always with a long story don't mind sir. Whenever u get comfortable time give reply.

Thanks and please comment on what I mentioned.

doctor
Answered by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Get baby's thyroid profile done

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the follow up

I really feel happy to solve your doubts.So please feel free anything what is there in your mind.

Yeah,passing stool once in 7 days is quite normal for these babies unless associated with other symptoms.
I advice to get thyroid profile done as a routine in every newborn. It is the most common treatable cause of mental retardation if detected at an early stage.
In XXXXXXX every newborn has to go for screening test for a number of metablic or endocrine diseases which includes thyroid.
In XXXXXXX many centres get thyroid profile done and I also follow the same.
It came in my mind as hypothyroidism itself is a cause of constipation and if thyroid profile comes normal I won't get worried for this infrequent passage of stool.
Your other query regarding uneasiness or crying of baby.Let me assure you this is the story of every new born.Once they get older their sleep pattern normalises.This is also because baby has spent 9 months in womb and has developed a habit of rocking movement.It takes time for him to adjust in surrounding environment.
That funny thing which you have noticed;stops crying after putting finger in his mouth indicates that baby is hungry.So feed him frequently.
Do massage with olive oil as baby enjoys massaging.
Observe the weight gain and let me know if you need any kind of suggestion.
I am a resident of XXXXXXX and run my clinic in state capital XXXXXXX
I know personal visit is not possible for you.So whenever you want you can contact me on this platform. I shall be glad to help you out.

Take care.
Wishing for your baby's good health.
Warm regards
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain

Pediatrician, Cardiology

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 2074 Questions

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What Causes Excessive Crying In An Infant?

Brief Answer: Don't worry much Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for the query I can understand your concern.In new born during initial few weeks there is no established day and night pattern.Most of the babies sleep throughout the day and they are awake,crying and troublesome during the night.The babies are less likely to fed during night time and they often cry due to hunger. It seems that during day time in the womb when mother is active,baby enjoy rocking movement inside and get active and playful when mother goes to bed. This pattern continue for few weeks when the baby comes out of womb. Most of the sleep issues noticed at this age is due to discrepancy between the parents expectation and baby's developmentally appropriate sleep behavior. If baby is crying excessively and you have checked for wet diaper and he is not hungry,it may be due to colic. Giving colic drops,proper burp and keeping baby in upright position for few minutes after feed helps in colic. Few skin lesions like erythema toxicum is normal in early weeks. I wont get worried if baby is accepting feeds well,passing urine/stool,active,playful and gaining weight properly. I hope this helps in alleviating your aqxiety. I shall be glad to answer if you have any more queries. Regards