Peer Reviewed
Feature Article Paediatrics
How to deal with an unsettled infant
Abstract
All infants fuss sometimes and have occasional periods of unsoothable crying, but in most this behaviour resolves by a few months of age. It is important to recognise when a baby’s crying falls outside the normal range, representing a clinical problem.
Key Points
- It is normal for some infants to fuss or cry for more than three hours a day at the peak age for unsettledness, about 6 to 8 weeks of age (adjusted for prematurity).
- No medical or parental cause for the unsettled behaviour will be found in the majority of cases.
- No investigations or medical interventions are required for most infants, other than providing reassurance and coping strategies for the parents in these difficult situations.
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