Crying, Age 3 and Younger

Preparing For Your Appointment

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.

You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your child's condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:

• Has your child been feeding and sucking normally? Have you recently changed formulas or added a new food? Does your child have any known food allergies, or is there a family history of food allergies? Has your child been vomiting? If yes, how often, how long has it been going on, and what color is the vomit?
• How often does your child have a bowel movement? Are they hard or soft? Has there been any blood in the stools?
• Has your child received any recent immunizations?
• Has your child had any recent illnesses or injuries?
• Did the crying develop suddenly, especially in a child who normally does not cry a lot?
• Does your child cry like this every day at a certain time?
• How long has your child been crying, what does the cry sound like (painful or high-pitched), and has it changed or been continuous?
• What do you think is causing your child's continuous crying?
• Does your child have any symptoms indicating a problem, such as an ear infection? Does your child have a fever?
• Does your child have any signs of a medical problem, such as a bulge in the groin, or does your young boy have swelling in his scrotum?
• How is your child's crying affecting you and your family? Are you feeling out of control, and are you afraid that you may hurt your child?
• What comforting techniques have you tried to soothe your child?
• What medicine have you given your child?
• Does your child have any health risks?

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: February 19, 2009
Medical Review:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
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