An investigation of crying in the newborn in relation to maternal and infant factors

Abstract

Total 24 hour crying times were measured in 182 babies on various postnatal days during the fist week, using a specially designed cry recorder. The mean 24 hour crying time was 25 minutes (range 4 seconds- 1 hour 48 minutes). Of 44 factors analysed for their effect on crying, 11 were found to be related. Factors associated with increased crying included high maternal age, low maternal anxiety, multiparity, maternal hypertension, twinning, caesarean section, and mixed breast and bottle feeding. Factors associated with reduced crying included very young mothers, high maternal anxiety, forceps delivery and admission to the neonatal unit. Some of these factors reflect alterations in the babies'' excitability and others reflect variations in maternal attitudes and responses. The data form a base for the examination of later infant behavior.