Fussy Baby Clinic Supports Parent-Infant Relationship

Colic or infant irritability can be one of the most overwhelming and frustrating experiences for families with new infants.  While a lot has been written in the literature and "old wives tales" abound, little is known about the actual cause of the recurrent, unexplained crying episodes that seem to peak at around six to eight weeks of age.  Without adequate support and advice, families struggling to cope with these intense infants are often at a loss, and in the worst cases are at risk for abusing their infants.

The Fussy Baby Clinic is a nurse-managed clinic designed to assist families living with an irritable infant.  The program is based upon 10 years of nursing research conducted at Children's.  Our work has evolved from a theory, which suggests the infant brings a disorganized sleep-wake pattern, lack of clarity of cues and an inability to self-regulate state into the interaction with the parent.  The infant's irritability has a biologic component represented by the infant's internal state behavior pattern.  The parent's inability to read the infant's cues and respond appropriately serves to further disorganize and disrupt the interaction between parent and baby.  This model of "out of sync" interaction explains the contributions of both the infant and parent to the relationship.

After being referred to the Fussy Baby Clinic, we encourage both parents to come with the infant to understand what the plan will involve and how best to support each other.  Throughout the clinic visit, we continue the infant's responses to the mother and father, and observe the parents for their response to the infant's cues.  The infant is assessed for his/her response to various stimuli including auditory, visual and tactile (touch).  The information from this ongoing assessment is incorporated into the care plan for the infant, and is also used to teach the parents about their infant's state changes and cues. 

The goals of the clinic are to promote harmony in the parent-infant relationship, promote state regulation and organization in the infant, promote self-restraint and the use of self-soothing techniques by the infant and provide information and support to the parents.

We promote treatment in close cooperation with the referring physician. Some insurance plans require pre-authorization.  One clinic visit is arranged with the family and other visits only as needed.  Weekly (or more frequent) phone follow-up is included for as long as necessary as determined by each family along with the nurse practitioner. Call 720-777-1234 for more information.

How to Calm a Crying Baby

• Check physical needs first: Is the baby hungry? Thirsty? Need to be burped? Too hot or too cold? Diaper dirty?
• Check for signs of illness or fever. If you think the baby may be sick, seek medical attention immediately.
• Rock the baby, hold the baby close or walk with the baby.
• Stand up, hold the baby close and repeatedly bend at your knees.
• Sing or talk to the baby in a soothing voice.
• Gently rub or stroke the baby's back, chest or tummy.
• Offer a pacifier or try to distract the baby with a rattle or toy.
• Swaddle the baby with a soft blanket.
• Turn on some music or noise like a vacuum cleaner or clothes dryer.
• Take the baby for a ride in a stroller or in a car seat in the car.

Try each of the above for a few minutes before trying something else, or try a few together. If nothing seems to work, it is OK to leave the baby in a safe place (like a crib) and take time to calm down. Leave the room. Shut the door. Take a few deep breaths. Call a friend, family member or your health-care provider. You may download our How to Calm a Crying Baby brochure at www.dontshakeababy.com .