Irritability in Babies – Signs, Reasons and Treatment Options

For example, If they are crying due to hunger, what could start as small coos for attention leading to a feeble cry can progress into a full-on “crying their lungs out” where it can be very difficult to soothe them even if you follow your regular protocol.

Sometimes, it can be just insistent cries where you know it is not crying for attention and there is an underlying issue. If your baby is suffering from some health issues or discomfort, these cries can persist for a long time, leaving you helpless and clueless.

Top Causes of Irritability in Babies

Your baby could be irritable due to the following causes

• Tired/Lack of sleep
• Hunger
• Indigestion/colic
• Fever / cold
• Tight clothing
• Extreme temperatures
• Too much light/noise
• Wet diaper
• Feeling itchy
• Boredom
• Ear infection
• Teething/tooth ache
• Shaken baby syndrome (brain injury due to shaking the baby too much)

Sometimes, in rare cases, it could also be some serious health issue like diabetes, asthma, or severe infection in some part of the body (internal organs, skin, bladder). It could also be some injury you did not witness, which could result in pain, clots, or just a small bump that needs soothing.  In extremely rare cases, it could be depression, autism, or other cognitive or mental health issues.

[Read : Signs And Cues That Your Baby Is Tired]

Why Does My Baby Seem to be so Irritated?

Don’t know why your baby seems to be irritated despite you doing everything right? Here are a few possible reasons for your baby’s agitation.

1. Hunger

Babies can’t stand hunger. If you are unable to follow cues or if your baby gets very irritated and calms down after a meal, maintain a schedule. Follow a schedule every day, so that you can feed your baby before hunger sets in.

[Read : How to Know Your Baby is Hungry – Know the Signs]

2. Digestion

If your baby is under 6 months old and is still on milk (formula) try switching the brand to see if they can digest it better. In case you are exclusively breastfeeding, then it could be the food you are eating.

If your baby is over 6 months old and is eating solid foods, keep a notebook to track what they are eating and how they behave after each of those foods. It might give you an idea about which foods are easy to digest and which are not.

3. Lack of Sleep

Calculate how much sleep your baby is getting in total throughout the day and night. Probably it is not enough, and you may have to follow their cues and put them to bed a little earlier than usual.

4. Other Reasons

Similarly, your baby could be agitated due to the other causes mentioned earlier. If they are not attended to immediately, babies can get irritated easily. Apart from the discomfort or the pain, babies lack patience. It could be because they are yet to learn the art of waiting or could be because of all the constant attention they get, which can make them very demanding.

Are There Any Treatment Options?

The treatment will depend on the cause of irritation. There is no single fix for all irritations in a baby. If you are unable to nail the cause and come up with a solution, a doctor can help. The doctor’s treatment will vary depending on their diagnosis of irritable behavior.

When Should You Consider Seeing a Doctor?

If you are unable to find out the reason for your baby’s irritation or if you rule out all the common causes like sleep, hunger, etc., your baby needs a medical consultation. It is also vi

Babies cry a lot. However, there is a difference between the regular cries and irritated cries. Irritability in babies can be due to many mundane reasons such as hunger or wanting for attention. It can also be a symptom of something serious going on the inside. Attending to it at the earliest can be very beneficial for the baby.

[Read : Top Reasons Why The Baby Is Crying]

FAQ’s

1. How Do I Calm My Irritated Baby?

Try feeding, putting them to bed, or just holding them. You can also try to distract them by playing or taking them for a walk. If the problem persists, you need medical advice.

2. Could Our Routine Cause Irritation in My Baby?

It is possible. You may not be reading your baby’s cues or going with a routine that isn’t comfortable for your baby. If you can narrow down the problem, try changing a little in that part of the routine first.

3. Is Irritation in Babies a Sign of Growing Up?

Yes. Growth pains, growth spurts, colic, and sleep regressions can all cause irritation in babies. These are also part of their growing up. So, your baby’s irritation could be just a phase of growing up.

Read Also: Do Babies Get Bored – How to Find and Tips to Engage