Infant and Toddler Crying: To Soothe or Not to Soothe? Josh Thompson Lydia Leeds

Texas Association for the Education of Young Children Annual Conference October 9, 2004

A survey of knowledge about Infant & Toddler Crying 1. At what age does crying peak? A. 4 weeks B. 6 weeks C. 16 weeks D. 24 weeks

A survey of knowledge about Infant & Toddler Crying 2. How much time per day does the normal 3 month old spend crying? A. 15 minutes B. 30 minutes C. one hour D. three hours

A survey of knowledge about Infant & Toddler Crying 3. At what time of day do infants cry the most? A. morning (6am – 12pm) B. afternoon (12pm – 6pm) C. evening (6pm-12am) D. late night (12am-6am)

A survey of knowledge about Infant & Toddler Crying 4. At what age is crying related to language development? A. 15 months B. 18 months C. 24 months D. 36 months

A survey of knowledge about Infant & Toddler Crying 5. Choose the best phrase to complete this sentence: “Picking up a three-month-old every time she cries … A. … is likely to spoil a child.” B. … teaches the child to be demanding.” C. … reduces frequency of crying.” D. … teaches the child to trust.”

1. At what age does crying peak? B. 6 weeks 2. How much time per day does the normal 3 month old spend crying? C. One hour 3. At what time of day do infants cry the most? C. evening (6pm-12am) 4. At what age is crying related to language development? B. 18 months 5. Rate the following behavior "Picking up a three-month-old every time she cries“ D. teaches the child to trust

The Normal Crying Curve

The Nature of Crying “[N]eonatal crying is a species-specific behavior which achieves its likely evolutionary function (infant survival) by reliably eliciting responses from caregivers.” (Gustafson 1990 p.45)

The Nature of Crying Three primary functions: SignSymptomSignal

The Nature of Crying Sign Neurological organization Neurological organization –Normal –Natural –Cyclical patterns

The Nature of Crying Symptom of disequilibrium of state of being This shift is common, predictable, and independent of caretaker.

The Nature of Crying “Temperament is innate: It’s not a product of the environment, your responses, nor of your child’s attempts to elicit some response from you.” (McKay (1996) When Anger Hurts Your Kids p. 38)

The Nature of Crying Crying is a Signal that something is not okay pain hunger colic discomfort boredom distress

Back to the Curve

Off the curve Colic – Rule of 3 A three month old infant “… who, otherwise healthy and well-fed, had paroxysms of irritability, fussing, or crying for a total of three hours a day and occurring on more than three days in any one week” (Wessel, et al, 1950) for more than three weeks.

Off the curve Trauma – physical or emotional, which has resulted in prolonged disequilibrium

Off the curve Disability – neurological disruptions, chronic pain, or genetic abnormalities

Observation & Assessment Observer/participant Become fluent in the “language” of crying Competent secure care

Observation & Assessment Sign – note: it’s a good thing Neurological organization

Observation & Assessment Symptom – not personal, it just is, a state of being Disequilibrium

Observation & Assessment Crying is a Signal that something is not okay pain hunger colic discomfort boredom distress

Observation FATTDRIP FrequencyDuration Age of the child Rhythm Time of day Intensity TonePitch

Goodness of fit

Soothing strategies Assisted self-soothing Caregiver assisted soothing Unassisted self-soothing

Soothing strategies Assisted Self-soothing PacifiersSwingBlanketsMusic Teddy bears

Soothing strategies Caregiver Assisted soothing HoldingSwaddling Infant massage Singing (to)

Soothing strategies Unassisted self-soothing Thumb-suckingRockingSelf-strokingHumming

Toddler Strategies DescribeDistractDisengage

Caregiver coping strategies (Brazelton, 2003, pp 19-20) 1.ID the cry 2.Try the obvious 3.Speak softly, bring the pitch and volume down 4.Hold his arms and body to avoid startles 5.Swaddle him

Caregiver coping strategies (Brazelton, 2003, pp 19-20) 6.Pick him up to cuddle 7.Try massaging his back and limbs gently 8.Sing to him 9.Walk with him 10. Use white noise or motion 11. Use a “football hold.”

Caregiver coping strategies Caregiver self check: Excessive exposure to crying may tip the motivation from a concern with the infant’s distress to a desire to alleviate your own discomfort in listening to the cry.

Caregiver coping strategies Competent secure care – walk away

Questions & MORE Questions When is it appropriate to soothe a crying child? When do we let them cry it out?

Lydia Leeds MA Josh Thompson PhD Assistant Professor Early Childhood Ed Texas A&M University-Commerce Texas A&M University-Commerce Presentation Website: Faculty.TAMU-Commerce.edu/ JThompson/Resources/InfantCry.htm