Identifying Symptoms and Treating an Unsettled Baby
If there is one thing babies know to do instinctively, it is to cry. With crying being their primary form of communication, parents and caretakers are immediately made aware of the baby requiring something, whether it is feeding them, changing them, or helping them sleep. The cry of a baby is equally distressing to an adult where they try to do everything they can to lessen the baby’s discomfort and help them stop crying. However, helping unsettled babies may not be as simple.
Simply put, a baby is called unsettled when they continue to cry although there is no obvious reason for the baby to cry.
Identifying an unsettled baby
One can identify an unsettled baby by looking for certain symptoms in the babies such as:
- A lack of interaction with the parents or caretakers
- Crying excessively day and night
- Being jittery
- A rigid body posture
It is essential to note that while these symptoms are also common in babies who are not unsettled and are just tired or hungry, unsettled babies display more of these symptoms at the same time. These symptoms in unsettled babies do not go away by just changing or feeding the baby.
When should you be concerned?
Babies are often moody. However, excessive crying that goes beyond a couple of days can be a cause for concern. A change in the baby’s temperature also warrants medical attention. If you notice more of the symptoms mentioned above or a temperature change in the baby along with the symptoms, it is crucial that you visit a healthcare professional.
Treating an Unsettled Baby
If your child has been crying constantly, it could be an indication of an illness. Getting immediate medical attention is essential to identify any illness at the earliest. If a baby has been crying for prolonged periods since birth, it could also indicate that the baby is in pain. Since they have no way of conveying their pain or discomfort, excessive crying can point to painful conditions such as allergies, protein intolerance, gastro-oesophageal reflux, etc.
Visiting a specialist or healthcare professional to help identify the issue and ensure proper treatment is the right step to follow. By conducting various tests, taking a detailed history of the baby’s behaviour and situation, and identifying the cause of the discomfort, a healthcare professional will be able to diagnose and prescribe medication and treatment to reduce irritability and discomfort among babies.
You can visit healthcare facilities that offer childcare treatment to find the best unsettled babies’ treatment in Melbourne for your little one.
