KEEPING CALM ABOUT CRYINGEvery infant cries; it’s a part of being a baby. Yet crying still puts many of us on edge; it’s simply instinctive to want to make it go away. It’s important to know the big range of normal and when

there might be a concern.

Most babies cry unpredictably, resistant to our best efforts to comfort.

Babies tend to cry most in the evening, when we’re all exhausted and run down.

Infants cry increasingly from

2 WEEKS6 to 8 WEEKS

of age, peaking at

Even normal, healthy babies may cry for long periods—an hour or more—and may appear to be in pain.

“Unsoothable” crying represents 5% to 15% of all infant restlessness.

The Big Normal

Colic has traditionally been defined using the rule of 3s.

Does your infant cry

33333 33333 33333More thanhours a day?

For at leastdays a week?

For more thanconsecutive weeks?

Although the rule of 3s can help families define it, ultimately the label of “colic” doesn’t stop the crying.

Could It Be Colic?

Dramatically improves after

3 to 4months of age

Infant massage Probiotics Chiropractor’s

manipulationHerbal

supplementsSugary/glucose

solutions

None of those measurably help crying

Walk, talk, and soothe your baby in ways she loves.

If crying continues, know that it's natural to feel frustrated. It's always OK to place your baby in the crib and

take a short break.

If you feel frustrated or angry, place your baby in the crib on her back

and step away. Take turns with your partner. Never shake a baby!

The results?

The following 3-step action plan, though, is great for a fussy infant:

What Should You Do?

1. 2. 3.

be tempted to reach for medications or cures.Don’t

A 2011 Pediatrics article evaluated 15 large studies (including nearly 1,000 babies) to determine the efficacy of things like

SOURCES www.pediatrics.org/content/127/4/720.full www.purplecrying.info/what-is-the-period-of-purple-crying.php