- Most babies experience some degree of reflux because the muscular valve at the end of the food pipe, which keeps food in the stomach, is still developing. Reflux may cause your baby to bring up milk after a feed, and can also give him/her hiccups. As long as your baby is growing normally and is not showing any marked signs of distress, there is no need to worry.
- More severe reflux can cause your baby to cry and be sick, often after feeding. The long name for severe reflux is gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). This means that when your baby's tummy is full, food and stomach acid flow back up their food pipe causing discomfort and pain.
- If you have tried the measures described above and seen no improvement, see your Health Visitor. They will review your child’s symptoms and ask you about the formula you have used, and may possibly prescribe an antacid designed for babies.
My baby is crying all the time
Babies cry for many reasons – most commonly because they are hungry, tired, need comfort or a nappy change. Sometime they cry beause they are uncomfortable, sick or in pain. This may be due to colic, reflux, constipation or infection amongst other things (see below). You can try simple comfort methods to see if the baby stops crying.
Sometimes the crying can feel like it’s become too much, and if this is the case, visit the ICON website for advice on what you can do.
ICON
ICON is all about helping people who care for babies to cope with crying. It stands for:
- I - Infant crying is normal
- C - Comforting methods can help
- O - It's OK to walk away
- N - Never, ever shake a baby
Below are some things to look out for if your baby is crying that may suggest they are unwell. Scroll below to understand conditions that may cause baby to cry excessively.
When should you worry?
If your baby has any of the following:
- Becomes pale, mottled or abnormally cold to touch
- Has pauses in their breathing lasting more than 10 seconds, is grunting or has blue lips
- Becomes stiff or rigid or has repeated jerky movements of arms or legs that does not stop when you hold them (a fit/seizure)
- Becomes extremely agitated (crying inconsolably despite distraction)
- Becomes floppy or very lethargic (difficult to wake)
- Is going blue around the lips
- Has difficulty breathing
- Is under 3 months of age with a temperature of 38°C / 100.4°F or above (unless fever in the 48 hours following vaccinations and no other red or amber features)
- A rash that does not disappear with pressure (see the "Glass Test")
You need urgent help
Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999
If your baby has any of the following:
- Breathing a bit faster than normal or working a bit harder to breathe
- Noisy breathing (stridor) only when upset
- Dry skin, lips, mouth or looking pale or sunken fontanelle (soft spot on the head)
- Not had a wee or wet nappy in last 12 hours
- Becoming increasingly sleepy and not consistently waking for feeds
- Crying and unsettled
- Poor feeding (babies) or not drinking (children)
- Is 3-6 months of age with a temperature of 39°C / 102.2°F or above (but fever is common in babies up to 2 days after they receive vaccinations)
- Getting worse or you are worried about them
You need to contact a doctor or nurse today
Please ring your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 111
- None of the above features are present
- Continues to feed well
- Has plenty of wet nappies
- Try to make sure that your baby stays well hydrated - you may need to offer them feeds more frequently than normal. And closely monitor them for any signs of deterioration by looking out for any red or amber features.
- Additional advice is also available for families to help cope with crying in otherwise well babies – click here
Self care
Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your child contact your Health Visitor or call NHS 111 – dial 111
Conditions that can cause a baby to cry excessively:
Your baby may be vomiting because they have an infection. This is usually associated with a temperature above 38°C / 100.4°F. Although the most likely cause is a viral infection, other causes include urinary tract infections or very occasionally a more serious illness such as meningitis or sepsis. Signs of a serious infection include:
- becomes pale and floppy going blue around the lips
- is fretful or excessively miserable when touched
- becomes difficult to rouse
- is finding it hard to breathe
- develops a rash that does not disappear with pressure (the Glass Test)
Your baby needs urgent help if any of these features are present - go to the nearest hospital emergency (A&E) department or phone 999.
Colic can cause excessive, frequent crying in a baby who appears to be otherwise healthy. It's a common problem that affects up to one in five babies. Although the cause is unknown, it is likely to be due to intestinal discomfort like bowel cramping.
Colic tends to begin when a baby is a few weeks old. It normally stops by four months of age, or by six months at the latest.
Looking after a colicky baby can be very frustrating and distressing, but the problem will eventually pass and is usually nothing to worry about.
Signs and symptoms of colic include:
· Your baby often starts crying suddenly. The cry is high-pitched and nothing you do seems to help
· The crying begins at the same time each day, often in the afternoon or evening
· Your baby might draw their legs up when they cry
· Your baby might clench their hands
· Your baby's face might flush
· The crying can last for minutes or hours. A baby with colic cries for 3 hours a day or more
· The crying often winds down when your baby is exhausted or when they have passed wind or poo
Being constipated is another cause of excessive crying babies. However, the crying tends to stop once your baby has had a poo.
Formula fed babies are more prone to constipation because formula can be harder to digest than breastmilk. A breastfed baby is far less likely to get constipated.
Signs of constipation may include:
· Crying and discomfort, irritability or pain before doing a poo
· Dry, hard, pellet-like poo that is hard to pass
· Foul-smelling wind and poo
· A hard belly
Try not to worry too much if your baby becomes constipated. It's likely to happen now and then. Simple things you can try at home if your baby is constipated include:
· Gently move your baby’s legs in a bicycling motion to help move the hard poo along
· If your baby is drinking formula, give them extra water in between feeds, but don’t dilute the formula. Make sure that you are using the recommended amount of milk powder when making up a bottle. Too much powder can dehydrate your baby, causing constipation. For babies under 6 months, use water from the mains tap in the kitchen - you will need to boil then cool the tap water because it is not sterile straight from the tap. Water for babies over 6 months of age doesn't need to be boiled
If your baby is in significant pain despite doing this, you should take them to see your GP who may decide to start them on treatment
Health visitors are nurses or midwives who are passionate about promoting healthy lifestyles and preventing illness through the delivery of the Healthy Child Programme. They work with you through your pregnancy up until your child is ready to start school.
Health Visitors can also make referrals for you to other health professionals for example hearing or vision concerns or to the Community Paediatricians or to the child and adolescent mental health services.
Contact them by phoning your Health Visitor Team or local Children’s Centre.
Sound advice
Health visitors also provide advice, support and guidance in caring for your child, including:
- Breastfeeding, weaning and healthy eating
- Exercise, hygiene and safety
- Your child’s growth and development
- Emotional health and wellbeing, including postnatal depression
- Safety in the home
- Stopping smoking
- Contraception and sexual health
- Sleep and behaviour management (including temper tantrums!)
- Toilet training
- Minor illnesses
For more information watch the video: What does a health visitor do?
School nurses care for children and young people, aged 5-19, and their families, to ensure their health needs are supported within their school and community. They work closely with education staff and other agencies to support parents, carers and the children and young people, with physical and/or emotional health needs.
Contacting the School Nurse
Primary and secondary schools have an allocated school nurse – telephone your child’s school to ask for the contact details of your named school nurse.
There is also a specialist nurse who works with families who choose to educate their children at home.
Sound Advice
Before your child starts school your health visitor will meet with the school nursing team to transfer their care to the school nursing service. The school nursing team consists of a school nursing lead, specialist public health practitioners and school health staff nurses.
They all have a role in preventing disease and promoting health and wellbeing, by:-
- encouraging healthier lifestyles
- offering immunisations
- giving information, advice and support to children, young people and their families
- supporting children with complex health needs
Each member of the team has links with many other professionals who also work with children including community paediatricians, child and adolescent mental health teams, health visitors and speech and language therapists. The school health nursing service also forms part of the multi-agency services for children, young people and families where there are child protection or safeguarding issues.
If you’re not sure which NHS service you need, call 111. An adviser will ask you questions to assess your symptoms and then give you the advice you need, or direct you straightaway to the best service for you in your area.
Sound advice
Use NHS 111 if you are unsure what to do next, have any questions about a condition or treatment or require information about local health services.
For information on common childhood illnesses go to What is wrong with my child?
A&E departments provide vital care for life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, suspected heart attacks, breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped. If you’re not sure it’s an emergency, call 111 for advice.