Excessive Crying Beyond 3 Months May Herald Other Features of Multiple Regulatory Problems

Abstract

Persistence of crying beyond the first 6 months heralded a higher prevalence of eating or sleeping difficulties in children with excessive crying than in children without excessive crying. These parents should be offered support and counseling over a broader spectrum of features related to multiple regulatory problems.

Crying and Feeding Problems in Infancy and Cognitive Outcome in Preschool Children Born at Risk: A Prospective Population Study

“…These rates are consistent with those of other studies (e.g., 15,33,35 ). Most notably, our results indicate that regulatory problems maintained The unadjusted correlations of regulatory problems with the mental and cognitive measures 371 at 20 or 56 months of age (.08 to .14, see 110 and thus impact cognition.…”

A prospective study on the persistence of infant crying, sleeping and feeding problems and preschool behaviour

“…This is consistent with some previous studies showing associations between excessive infant crying and subsequent childhood sleeping problems (e.g. 9), but not others (32).…”

“…Parents who have infants with multiple RP are most likely to consult community or paediatric services (10). This study confirms that those infants with multiple regulatory disturbances are indeed at the highest risk for persistent RP, particularly eating problems, and early treatment may well be indicated to prevent longer‐term problems (9) and parental distress (10). Additionally, persistent RP made a small but significant contribution to the prediction of preschool deficits in adaptive behaviour and social skills.…”

The human fear paradox: Affective origins of cooperative care

“…Cry duration does not drop off as markedly from its initial peak at 6-8 weeks as earlier described in the classic "cry curve," whereby crying duration shows a clear and steady decline (Vermillet, Tølbøll, Litsis Mizan, Skewes, & Parsons, 2022). Although data on what constitutes typical or normal cry behaviour is still sparse, crying for long periods beyond 6 months of age has been shown to predict later childhood regulatory difficulties (von Kries, Kalies, & Papoušek, 2006). What is appropriate fear expression at one age may signal developmental difficulties, problems in parent-infant interactions, or physical health issues, at a later age.…”