Why baby irritable

The first year. In: Kliegman RM, St. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; chap Updated by: Neil K. Editorial team. Fussy or irritable child. There are lots of reasons why children get fussy: Lack of sleep Hunger Frustration Fight with a sibling Being too hot or too cold Your child also may be worried about something.

They include: Ear infection Teething or a toothache Cold or flu Bladder infection Stomach pain or stomach flu Headache Constipation Pinworm Poor sleep patterns Although less common, your child's fussiness may be an early sign of a more serious problem, such as: Diabetes, asthma, anemia low blood count , or other health problem Serious infections, such as an infection in the lungs , kidneys , or around the brain Head injury that you did not see happen Hearing or speech problems Autism or abnormal brain development if fussiness does not go away and becomes more severe Depression or other mental health problems Pain, such as headache or stomach ache.

Address other factors that may be causing fussiness: Poor sleep patterns Noise or stimulation around your child too much or too little can be a problem Stress around the home Irregular day-to-day schedule Using your parenting skills, you should be able to calm your child and make things better. When to Contact a Medical Professional. Know that your child really needs you. Often a baby who is perceived as fussy is simply a baby who needs more contact with mom and is smart enough to express this need and is content once his needs are met.

See the links below to read more about spoiling. Caring for a fussy baby can be very stressful! Give both yourself and baby some extra TLC. Surround yourself with supportive people, de-stress in other areas if possible for example, minimize housework , and tell yourself you are doing a great job.

It is very difficult to feel good about yourself as a parent when you have a fussy baby. Gripe water is a remedy available in liquid form. It contains a mixture of herbs and is often used to soothe colicky babies. Baby teeth, or primary teeth, usually start coming in between 6 and 12 months. This timeline can vary widely, though. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Carissa Stephens, R. Why is my baby fussy at night? When will my baby outgrow fussy evenings?

How to calm a fussy baby. Parenthood Baby 06 Months. Baby Gas: Relief and Prevention. What Is a High Needs Baby? Read this next.

Medically reviewed by Karen Gill, M. Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph.