In the behavioral literature (eg Heidelise Als's work, among others) crying
is clearly recognized as one of the most frank distress cues a baby can
issue.  Colic, while not fully understood, represents episodic crying.  In
other words, the baby has a "spell" each day where he/she manifests fussing
behavior.  This fussing may sometimes be intense and unconsolable, but much
of the rest of the time the baby is happy and typically is growing well.
Crying "all the time" needs investigation.  I don't dismiss the mother who
complains of this as if she is somehow not able to tell the difference
between normal and not normal.  All of us -- even including inexperienced
moms -- are capable of recognising distress.  Whatever the reason, that's
what this mom is telling her helpers that her baby is expressing.  She and
baby need direct observation to attempt to uncover the source of the
distress.

The last time a mom told me her baby cried "all the time" I began with a bit
of ph counseling.  I learned that the baby was growing well, etc. and asked
her to ph. back if my suggestions (which included more holding, more
nursing, nursing soft breast for comfort, weight check, pedi check, and
removal of peanuts from her diet -- milk was already out) didn't work.  She
phoned back in a week saying baby was gaining, doctor said baby was fine,
and baby was still screaming.  I asked her to come over to my home and just
hang out for a while.  I did paperwork and listened while this 2 month old
screamed and carried on as if he were being killed.  She tried everything to
calm him to no avail.  I was a wreck after an hour of this and can't imagine
how she lived through weeks of his evident panic and distress.  I told her I
didn't care what her pediatrician said, the behavior was abnormal. I felt
baby was in pain.  I told her to immediately seek a second pediatric
opinion.  She saw a very thorough pediatrician, who immed. diagnosed a
hydrocele in this little boy's testicle. Once treated he was a different
child.

 If I had no language but a cry, I would try my hardest to get help by
crying.  I would be devastated if my cries for help were rationalized away.

Barbara Wilson-Clay BSEd, IBCLC
Austin Lactation Associates
http://www.lactnews.com

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