Acuteness in newborns

Increased irritability in newborns (0-3 months)

All newborns cry, but sometimes parents encounter a situation where the baby seems constantly dissatisfied, fussy, and hard to soothe. Such increased irritability can be a temperament trait or a signal of discomfort or a medical problem.

Possible causes of irritability

If the baby is constantly fussy, the first step is to rule out the most common causes of discomfort:

• Pain: Most often it is abdominal pain due to кольки or гази. It can also be pain from пелюшкового дерматиту.
• Overtiredness or overstimulation: The newborn's nervous system is easily overloaded. Too many guests, noise, or light can lead to a fit.
• Гастроезофагеальний рефлюкс: The return of acidic stomach contents into the esophagus causes heartburn and pain.
• Food sensitivity: Sometimes irritability can be a reaction to proteins (for example, коров'ячого молока) in the nursing mother's diet.

If the irritability is excessive, accompanied by fever, refusal to eat, or other concerning symptoms, it warrants a consultation with a pediatrician.