Crying, Age 3 And Younger: Check Your Symptoms

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When to See a Doctor

Is your child not acting normally?

See significance of a child not acting normally if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your child's crying.

Call your child's health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Does your child appear confused or does not interact with people or objects in his or her environment?

Yes

Does your child look or act differently, such as a change in balance or coordination?

Yes

Has your baby younger than 3 months of age refused two feedings in a row?

Yes

Has your child had a known fall or injury?

Yes

Do you suspect your child's symptoms have been caused by a fall or injury, but you did not see it happen?

Yes

Does your child have swelling over a body part and cries from pain when the area is touched or moved?

Yes

Does your child refuse to use an arm or leg or, if older than 9 months, refuse to stand or walk?

Call your child's health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Does your child sleep more than usual or appear to have very little energy?

Yes

Is your child crying more than usual?

Yes

Does your child cry during sleep?

Yes

Has your child older than 3 months refused two feedings in a row?

Yes

Is your child vomiting?

Yes

Does your baby younger than 1 month have a different type of cry than you have identified as usual for him or her?

You may wait to see if your child's symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Does your baby older than 1 month have a different type of cry than what you know is usual for him or her for longer than 24 hours,but he or she does not have other symptoms? Note: Parents and caregivers are usually able to know the different types of cries a child has by 6 weeks of age.

Yes

Is your child still crying and fussy after 24 hours of home treatment?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Last updated:	March 15, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer