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- Pregnancy & Parenting
- Parenting Toddlers (12-36 months)
- Caring for Your Toddler
- Crying, Age 3 and Younger
Content Map Terms
Pregnancy & Parenting Categories
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Planning Your Pregnancy
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Fertility
- Ovulation and Fertility Pregnancy Planning
- Ovulation and Transport of Egg
- Find Your Ovulation Day
- Infertility: Problems With Ovulation
- Ovulation
- Superovulation
- Interactive Tool: When are you most fertile?
- Infertility
- Infertility: Emotional and Social Concerns
- Pregnancy after Age 35
- Infertility: Ethical and Legal Concerns
- Infertility: Factors That Affect Treatment Success
- Infertility: Setting Limits on Testing
- Infertility: Problems With the Man's Reproductive System
- Infertility: Problems With Fallopian Tubes
- Infertility: Problems With the Uterus and Cervix
- Cancer Treatment and Infertility
- Fertility Problems: Should I Be Tested?
- Infertility Tests
- Fertility Drugs
- Fertility Problems
- Fertility Problems: Should I Have a Tubal Procedure or In Vitro Fertilization?
- Insemination for Infertility
- Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection for Infertility
- Infertility Treatment for Women With PCOS
- In Vitro Fertilization for Infertility
- Infertility: Setting Limits on Treatment
- Infertility: Questions to Ask About Medicine or Hormone Treatment
- Infertility: Questions to Ask About Assisted Reproductive Technology
- Infertility: Should I Have Treatment?
- Insemination Procedures for Infertility
- Gamete and Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer for Infertility
- Varicocele Repair for Infertility
- Fallopian Tube Procedures for Infertility
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone
- Luteinizing Hormone
- Progesterone
- Sperm Penetration Tests
- Infertility Concerns When Planning a Pregnancy
- Planning a Pregnancy After 35
- Pregnancy Issues for Women Over Age 35
- Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Charting
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Your Health When Planning to Become Pregnant
- Health Care for Pregnancy Planning
- Physical Activity When Planning a Pregnancy
- Smoking When You are Planning a Pregnancy
- Alcohol and Pregnancy Planning
- Preparing for a Healthy Pregnancy
- Diabetes: Planning for a Healthy Pregnancy
- Diabetes: Preparing for Pregnancy
- Pregnancy and Diabetes: Planning for Pregnancy
- Diabetes: Preparing for Pregnancy
- Video About Planning a Pregnancy
- Planning the Timing of Your Next Pregnancy
- Ending a Pregnancy
- Adoption
- Planning for Maternity and Parental Leave
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Fertility
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Pregnancy
- Healthcare Providers During Pregnancy
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Your Health During Pregnancy
- Dental Care During Pregnancy
- Healthy Sex During Pregnancy
- Posture and Back Care During Pregnancy
- Shortness of Breath During Pregnancy
- Using Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications During Pregnancy
- Immunizations and Pregnancy
- Quick Tips: Healthy Pregnancy Habits
- Massage Therapy during Pregnancy
- Sex During Pregnancy
- Leg Cramps During Pregnancy
- Medicines During Pregnancy
- Swelling During Pregnancy
- Electronic Fetal Heart Monitoring
- Getting Help for Perinatal Depression
- Depression: Should I Take Antidepressants While I'm Pregnant?
- Pregnancy: Dealing With Morning Sickness
- Back Pain During Pregnancy
- Bedrest for Preterm Labour
- Abnormal Pap Test While Pregnant
- Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy
- Acupressure for Morning Sickness
- Automated Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring
- Pregnancy After Bariatric Surgery
- Braxton Hicks Contractions
- Caffeine During Pregnancy
- Dental Care During Pregnancy
- Exercise During Pregnancy
- Fatigue During Pregnancy
- Fever During Pregnancy
- Pregnancy: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Pregnancy: Changes in Bowel Habits
- Pregnancy: Healthy Weight Gain
- Pregnancy: Hemorrhoids and Constipation
- Pregnancy: Hot Tub and Sauna Use
- Pregnancy: Pelvic and Hip Pain
- Pregnancy: Ways to Find Your Due Date
- Estrogens
- External Cephalic Version (Version) for Breech Position
- Symptoms of Pregnancy
- Sexually Transmitted Infections During Pregnancy
- Pre-Eclampsia: Checkups and Monitoring
- Pre-Eclampsia: Expectant Management
- Gestational Diabetes
- Insulin Injection Areas for Gestational Diabetes
- Gestational Diabetes: Checking Your Blood Sugar
- Gestational Diabetes: Counting Carbs
- Gestational Diabetes: Dealing With Low Blood Sugar
- Gestational Diabetes: Giving Yourself Insulin Shots
- Ginger for Morning Sickness
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) During Pregnancy
- Nausea or Vomiting During Pregnancy
- Urinary Problems During Pregnancy
- Health Conditions and Pregnancy
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Body Changes During Pregnancy
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy: Varicose Veins
- Pregnancy: Hand Changes
- Sleep Problems During Pregnancy
- Emotional Changes During Pregnancy
- Breast Changes During Pregnancy
- Pregnancy: Hair Changes
- Pregnancy: Belly, Pelvic and Back Pain
- Pregnancy: Stretch Marks, Itching, and Skin Changes
- Pregnancy: Changes in Feet and Ankles
- Pregnancy: Vaginal Discharge and Leaking Fluid
- Interactive Tool: From Embryo to Baby in 9 Months
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Your First Trimester
- Check-ups and Tests In the First Trimester
- Embryo and Fetal Development In the First Trimester
- Medical Care During the First Trimester
- Your First Trimester - Video
- Mothers' Physical Changes in the First Trimester
- Normal Pregnancy: First Trimester
- Week 8 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
- Fetal development at 8 weeks of pregnancy
- Week 12 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
- Fetal development at 12 weeks of pregnancy
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Your Second Trimester
- Babies Development During the Second Trimester
- Mothers' Physical Changes During the Second Trimester
- Check-ups and Tests in the Second Trimester
- Getting Ultrasounds During Pregnancy
- Video About Your Second Trimester
- Normal Pregnancy: Second Trimester
- Week 16 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside /
- Fetal development at 16 weeks of pregnancy
- Week 20 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
- Fetal development at 20 weeks of pregnancy
- Week 24 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside /
- Fetal development at 24 weeks of pregnancy
- Pregnancy: Kick Counts
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Your Third Trimester
- Check-ups and Tests in the Third Trimester
- Fetal Development in the Third Trimester
- Mothers' Physical Changes in the Third Trimester
- Prenatal Classes in the Third Trimester
- Video about Your Third Trimester
- Personal Support When You're Giving Birth
- Writing Your Birth Plan or Wishes
- Normal Pregnancy: Third Trimester
- Week 28 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
- Fetal development at 28 weeks of pregnancy
- Week 32 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
- Fetal development at 32 weeks of pregnancy
- Week 36 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
- Fetal development at 36 weeks of pregnancy
- Week 40 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
- Fetal development at 40 weeks of pregnancy
- Pregnancy: Dropping (Lightening)
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Risks and Complications During Pregnancy
- High-risk Pregnancy
- Rh Sensitization during Pregnancy
- Post-Term Pregnancy
- Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding
- Intrauterine Fetal Blood Transfusion for Rh Disease
- Miscarriage
- Special Concerns During Pregnancy
- Abruptio Placenta
- Anemia During Pregnancy
- Antiphospholipid Syndrome and Pregnancy /
- Asthma During Pregnancy
- Bedrest in Pregnancy
- Eclampsia (Seizures) and Pre-Eclampsia
- Ectopic Pregnancy
- Endometriosis
- Functional Ovarian Cysts /
- High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
- Laparoscopic Ovarian Drilling for PCOS
- Low Amniotic Fluid
- Low-Lying Placenta
- Miscarriage: Should I Have Treatment to Complete a Miscarriage?
- Molar Pregnancy
- Passing Tissue During Pregnancy
- Placenta Previa
- Polyhydramnios
- Pre-Eclampsia
- RH Factor Pregnancy
- Special Health Concerns During Pregnancy
- Subchorionic Hemorrhage
- Toxoplasmosis During Pregnancy
- Vaginal Bleeding During Pregnancy
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Healthy Eating and Physical Activity
- Dealing with Cravings During Pregnancy
- Dietary Sources of Essential Nutrients During Pregnancy
- Exercising Safely During a Pregnancy
- Healthy Eating Guidelines for Food Safety During Pregnancy
- Healthy Eating Guidelines for Pregnancy
- Healthy Physical Activity During Pregnancy
- Healthy Vegetarian Eating During Pregnancy
- Nutrition During Pregnancy
- Pregnancy: Vegetarian Diet
- Emotional Health and Support During Pregnancy
- Safety During Pregnancy
- Alcohol and Other Drug Use During Pregnancy
- Twins and Other Multiples
- Preparing for Your Newborn
- Interactive Tool: What Is Your Due Date?
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Labour and Birth
- Labour and Delivery
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Planning Your Delivery
- Childbirth Classes
- Childbirth Planning: How to Partner With Your Doctor
- Childbirth: Labouring in Water and Water Delivery /
- Childbirth: Perineal Massage Before Labour
- Choosing Where to Give Birth Hospital or Home
- Doulas and Support During Childbirth
- Including a Doula in Your Birth Experience
- Labour Partners to Support Mothers
- Packing for Birth at a Hospital
- Pregnancy: Deciding Where to Deliver
- Vaginal Birth After Caesarean (VBAC)
- Vaginal Birth After Caesarean
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Stages of Labour
- Cervical Cerclage to Prevent Preterm Delivery
- First Stage of Labour - Early Phase
- First Stage of Labour Active Phase
- First Stage of Labour Transition Phase
- Information on Fourth Stage of Labour
- Information on Second Stage of Labour
- Information on Third Stage of Labour
- Preterm Labour and Short Cervix
- Preterm Labour
- Preterm Labour: Testing for Fetal Fibronectin
- Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (pPROM)
- Telling Pre-Labour and True Labour Part
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During Labour
- Breathing Techniques for Childbirth
- Caesarean Birth - Overview and Facts
- Caesarean Section
- Cervical Effacement and Dilatation
- Cervical Insufficiency
- Childbirth: Epidurals
- Childbirth: Opioid Pain Medicines
- Childbirth: Pudendal and Paracervical Blocks
- Childbirth: Strep Infections During Delivery
- Comfort Positions Labour and Birth
- Epidural Anesthesia
- Epidural and Spinal Anesthesia
- Episiotomy and Perineal Tears
- Epistiotomy Vacuum and Forceps During Labour and Birth
- Fetal Monitoring During Labour HY
- Induction During Labour
- Labour Induction and Augmentation
- Local Anesthesia for Childbirth
- Pain Relief Options Labour and Birth
- Postpartum Bleeding
- Postpartum: First 6 Weeks After Childbirth
- Postural Management for Breech Position
- Practicing Breathing Techniques for Labour
- Relaxation Techniques During Labour and Birth
- Spinal Block for Childbirth
- Stillbirth
- VBAC: Labour Induction
- VBAC: Participation During Birth
- VBAC: Uterine Scar Rupture
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After Labour and Care for New Moms
- After Childbirth: Coping and Adjusting
- After Childbirth: Pelvic Bone Problems
- After Childbirth: Urination and Bowel Problems
- Birth Control for New Moms
- Childbirth Afterpains
- Concerns About Sexuality After Giving Birth
- Coping with Postpartum Depression and Anxiety
- Help with Urination After Giving Birth
- Managing Bowel Movements After Pregnancy
- Mom and Baby Staying Together
- Myths and Facts About Postpartum Depression
- New Moms and Abuse
- Nurturing Your Relationship After Giving Birth
- Postpartum Depression
- Problems After Delivery of Your Baby
- Strenghthing Your Pelvis After Birth - Kegel Exercises
- Vaginal Care After Giving Birth
- Video About Labour and Birth
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Parenting Babies (0-12 months)
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New Parents
- Advice to New Parents - staying calm
- Alcohol and Smoking After Pregnancy
- BC Healthy Connections Project
- Baby Blues
- Baby's Daily Needs: What to Expect
- Bonding With Your Baby
- Child Care Advice - New Parents
- Coping Strategies to Avoid Harming a Baby
- Coping When Your Baby Cries A Lot
- Coping with Crying
- Crying: Tired or Overstimulated
- Depression: Managing Postpartum Depression
- Fitness: Staying Active When You Have Young Children
- Infant Crying
- Maintaining a Healthy Weight After Pregnancy
- Making Sure Your Will Includes Your Baby
- Parenting With Your Partner
- Quick Tips: Baby-Proofing Your Home
- Sex After Childbirth
- Support Teams for New Parents
- Support for Single Parents During the First Year
- Taking Care of Yourself When Your Baby Is Fussy
- Tips for Soothing Babies
- Ways to Comfort a Crying Baby
- Your Body After Pregnancy
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Newborns
- Bathing and Skin Care For Newborn Babies
- Bonding With Your Newborn
- Bringing Your Newborn Baby Home
- Caring For Your Baby's Umbilical Cord
- Cognitive Growth in Newborns
- Drug Withdrawal in Newborns
- Early Days with Your Baby
- Early Detection of Liver Disease
- Early Disease Screening of Newborns
- Early Tests and Treatments for Newborns
- First 6-8 Weeks at Home with Baby - Video
- Group B Streptococcal Infections in Newborns
- Helping Your Newborn Learn
- Immunizations for Premature Infants
- Importance of Skin to Skin Contact
- Important Paperwork for Newborns
- Jaundice in Newborns (Hyperbilirubinemia)
- Kangaroo Care for Premature Infants
- Language Development in Newborns
- Meeting the Needs of Pre-Term Babies
- NICU: Communicating With the Staff
- Newborn Blood Spot Card Screening
- Newborn Rashes and Skin Conditions
- Physical Growth in Newborns
- Premature Infant
- Premature Infant: Safe Travel With Your Baby
- Preparing for Visitors - Your New Baby
- Sensory and Motor Growth in Newborns
- Special Issues With Low Weight Babies
- Tips for Diapering a Newborn Baby
- Umbilical Cord Care
- Understanding Jaundice - Newborn Babies
- Ways to Comfort a Baby in the Hospital
- What to Expect When You Have an Extremely Premature Infant
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Baby Care
- Birthmarks
- Biting
- Caring for More Than One Baby
- Caring for Your Baby's Skin and Nails
- Caring for a Baby's Nails
- Circumcision
- Circumcision: Should I Keep My Son's Penis Natural?
- Cleaning Your Young Son's Natural (Uncircumcised) Penis
- Cleft Lip
- Cleft Palate
- Club Foot
- Common Types of Birthmarks
- Creating a Healthy Emotional Attachment
- Diaper Rash
- Infant Massage
- Oral Care For Your Baby
- Positional Plagiocephaly
- Quick Tips: Getting Baby to Sleep
- Screening for Hearing Problems
- Separation Protests: Helping Your Child
- Teething and Biting
- Thumb-Sucking Versus Pacifier Use
- Tongue-Tie
- Using Soothers and Stopping When it is Time
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Breastfeeding
- A Video on Breastfeeding Positions
- A Video on Breastfeeding and Skin-to-Skin Contact
- A Video on Hand Expressing Breastmilk
- Abuse When You're Breastfeeding
- Baby's First Breastmilk - Colostrum
- Breast Engorgement
- Breast Surgery and Breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding After Breast Surgery
- Breastfeeding After a C-Section
- Breastfeeding During Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding Multiple Infants
- Breastfeeding Positions
- Breastfeeding Support for New Mothers
- Breastfeeding With Inverted Nipples
- Breastfeeding Your Newborn and an Older Child
- Breastfeeding a Sick Baby
- Breastfeeding and Its Relationship to Culture
- Breastfeeding and Returning to Work
- Breastfeeding and Your Milk Supply
- Breastfeeding at Work
- Breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding: Baby's Poor Weight Gain
- Breastfeeding: Planning Ahead
- Breastfeeding: Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drugs
- Breastfeeding: Waking Your Baby
- Breastfeeding: When Baby Doesn't Want to Stop
- Caring for Damaged Nipples When You're Breastfeeding
- Common Breastfeeding Concerns
- Common Breastfeeding Positions
- Coping With Thrush When You’re Breastfeeding
- Develop a Breastfeeding Plan
- Experiencing Let-Down Reflex
- FAQs About Breastfeeding
- Flat or Inverted Nipples
- Get Started on Expressing Breastmilk
- Getting Comfortable Breastfeeding in Public
- Getting back to Breastfeeding
- Hospital Policies and Breastfeeding
- Latching Your Baby - Video
- Learning Basics of Breastfeeding
- Learning to Latch
- Managing Engorgement
- Managing Mastitis
- Mastitis While Breastfeeding
- Medications and Herbal Products for Breastfeeding Moms
- Medicine Use While Breastfeeding
- Milk Oversupply
- Nipple Shields for Breastfeeding Problems
- Nutrition While Breastfeeding
- Oxytocin
- Partner Support for Breastfeeding
- Physical Activity and Breastfeeding
- Plugged Milk Ducts When You're Breastfeeding
- Poor Let-Down While Breastfeeding
- Preventing Mastitis
- Pumping Breast Milk
- Quick Tips: Successful Breastfeeding
- Signs That Your Baby Is Getting Enough Breast Milk
- Sleep, Rest, and Breastfeeding
- Storing Breast Milk
- Storing and Using Breastmilk
- Tips for Breastfeeding Preterm Babies
- Under or Over Production of Milk During Breastfeeding
- Vitamin D Supplements for Breastfeeding Babies
- What you need to Know About Supplementing Baby Formula
- Your Milk Supply
-
Feeding Your Baby
- Alternative Feeding Methods for Newborns
- Baby Feeding Cues - Video
- Bottle-Feeding: When Baby Doesn't Want to Stop
- Burping a Baby
- Choosing Baby Bottles and Nipples
- Cleft Palate: Feeding Your Baby
- Combining Breastfeeding and Formula-Feeding
- Cup-Feeding Baby With Breast Milk or Formula
- Feeding Schedule for Babies
- Feeding Your Child Using Division of Responsibility
- Feeding Your Infant
- Feeding Your Premature Infant
- Food Allergies, Your Baby's First Year
- Getting Started and Feeding Cues
- How Often and How Long to Feed
- Introducing Solid Foods to Your Baby
- Learn More Before You Supplement Formula
- Safe Drinking Water - Your Baby's First Year
- Safe Water for Mixing Infant Formula
- Signs of a Good Feed
- Spitting Up
- Vitamin D Supplements for Babies - First Year
- Weaning
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Baby Health
- Abdominal Gas and Colic
- Blocked Tear Ducts: Should My Baby Have a Probing Procedure?
- Bowel Movements in Babies
- Cataracts in Children
- Chronic Lung Disease in Infants
- Colic Diary
- Colic
- Colic: Harmful Treatments
- Comforting a Child Who Has a Respiratory Illness
- Common Health Concerns for Babies First Year
- Cough Symptoms in Children
- Cradle Cap
- Croup
- Croup: Managing a Croup Attack
- Crying Child That Is Not Acting Normally
- Dehydration: Drinking Enough Fluids
- Dental Care From 6 Months to 3 Years
- Dental Care From Birth to 6 Months
- Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip
- Developmental Problems: Testing
- Failure to Thrive
- Gastroesophageal Reflux in Babies and Children
- Health and Safety, Birth to 2 Years
- Healthy Hearing and Vision For Babies
- Immunization, Your Baby's First Year
- Orchiopexy for Undescended Testicle
- Reducing Biting in Children Ages 8 to 14 Months
- Reducing Biting in Teething Babies
- Teething Products
- Teething: Common Concerns
- Treating Asthma in Babies and Younger Children
- Understanding Flat Spots on Babies' Heads
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Baby Growth and Development
- Babies Physical Development 0-6 Months
- Babies Physical Development 6-9 Months
- Babies Physical Development 9-12 Months
- Babies Social and Emotional Development 0-6 Months
- Babies Social and Emotional Development 6-9 Months
- Babies Social and Emotional Development 9-12 Months
- Babies and Language Development 6-9 Months
- Babies and Language Development 9-12 Months
- Children's Growth Chart
- Cognitive Development 0-6 Months
- Cognitive Development 9-12 mos
- Cognitive Development First 6-9 Mos
- Emotional and Social Growth in Newborns
- Growth and Development Milestones
- Growth and Development, Newborn
- Importance of Tummy Time for Babies' Development
- Speech and Language Milestones, Birth to 1 Year
- Stimulate Your Baby's Learning
- Tooth Development in Children
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Baby Safety
- Babies' Sleep Position and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
- Baby Proofing Your Home First Year
- Choking Rescue for Babies
- Choosing and Using Baby Carriers Safely
- Safer Sleep for My Baby
- Crib Safety
- Risks and Concerns Around Bed Sharing
- Safe Chairs for Baby's First Year
- Safe Use of Strollers for Babies
- Safely Using Walkers, Playpens and Jumpers
- Safer Sleeping
- Safety at Home for Baby's First Year
- Shaken Baby Syndrome
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
- Sun Safety Babies for their First Year
- Physical Activity for Babies in the First Year
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New Parents
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Parenting Toddlers (12-36 months)
- Mealtime and Your Toddler
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Caring for Your Toddler
- Acetaminophen Use in Young Children
- Breath-Holding Spells
- Breath-Holding Spells: Keeping a Record
- Brushing and Flossing a Child's Teeth
- Care for Toddlers' Colds and Coughs
- Crying, Age 3 and Younger
- Dealing with Dawdling and Whining in Toddlers
- Dealing with Toddlers' Challenging Behaviour - General
- Dental Care and Teething in Toddlers
- Egocentric and Magical Thinking
- Handwashing Advice for Parents of Toddlers
- Healthcare resources for sick toddlers
- Hearing Health for Toddlers
- Ibuprofen Use in Young Children
- Managing Your Toddler's Frustrating Behaviours
- Positive Parenting
- Preparing Your Toddler for Health Care Visits
- Preventing Breath-Holding Spells in Children
- Promoting Positive Behaviour in Your Toddler
- Protecting Your Toddlers Vision
- Toddler Tantrums
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Toddler Growth and Development
- Cognitive Development 18-24 Months
- Cognitive Development, Ages 1 to 12 Months
- Cognitive Development, Ages 12 to 24 Months
- Different Types of Play
- Emotional Development
- Emotional and Social Development, Ages 1 to 12 Months
- Emotional and Social Development, Ages 12 to 24 Months
- Growth and Development, Ages 1 to 12 Months
- Growth and Development, Ages 12 to 24 Months
- Growth and Development, Ages 2 to 5 Years
- Language Development 12-18 Months
- Language Development 18-24 Months
- Language Development 24-30 Months
- Learning Through Play for Toddlers
- Learning to Use the Toilet
- Milestones for 2-Year-Olds
- Milestones for 3-Year-Olds
- My Toddler Ready for Toilet Training
- Outdoor Play
- Physical Development of Toddlers From 12-18 months
- Physical Development, Ages 1 to 12 Months
- Physical Development, Ages 12 to 24 Months
- Physical Development: 3-4 Years
- Physical Development: 4-5 Years
- Sensory and Motor Development, Ages 1 to 12 Months
- Sensory and Motor Development, Ages 12 to 24 Months
- Speech and Language Development: Helping Your 1- to 2-Year-Old
- Speech and Language Milestones, Ages 1 to 3 Years
- Toddler Play 12-24 Months
- Toddler Play 24-36 Months
- Toddler Play Activities
- Toddler's Cognitive Development From 18-24 Months
- Toddler's Cognitive Development From 30-36 Months
- Toddlers Language Development 30-36 Months
- Toddlers Physical Development 18-24 Months
- Toddlers Physical Development 24-30 Months
- Toddlers Physical Development 30-36 Months
- Toddlers Social and Emotional Development 12-18 Months
- Toddlers Social and Emotional Development 18-24 months
- Toddlers Social and Emotional Development 30-36 Months
- Toddlers social and Emotional Development 24-30 months
- Toddlers' Cognitive Development From 12-18 Months
- Toddlers' Cognitive Development From 24-30 Months
- Toilet Training
- Toilet Training: Knowing When Your Child Is Ready
- Understanding your Toddlers Development
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Toddler Safety
- Bathroom Safety For Toddlers
- Bed Safety Toddlers Age 3
- Bicyles Tricylces and Helmets for Toddlers
- Childproofing your Home
- Falls Prevention for Toddlers
- Fire and Burn Prevention for Toddlers
- Keeping Surfaces Clean
- Keeping Your Toddler Safe Around Pets
- Kitchen Safety for Toddlers
- Playground Safety for Toddlers
- Poison Prevention for Toddlers
- Safety Outdoors in the Cold for Toddlers
- Safety for Your Toddler in the Community
- Saftey for Toddlers in the Heat and Sun
- Staying Calm Through Challenging Behaviours
- Streetproofiing Tips for Your Toddler
- Toddler Safety Near Swimming Pools
- Toy Safety for Toddlers
- Water Safety for Toddlers
- Your Toddler: Safe Ways to Explore
- Agreeing on Parenting Styles
- Toddler Sleep
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Parenting Preschoolers (3-5 years)
- Mealtime and Your Preschooler
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Caring for Your Preschooler
- Connecting with your preschooler and Building Self-Esteem
- Connecting with your preschooler and building coping skills
- Connecting with your preschooler and developing social skills
- Crying in preschool
- Daytime Accidental Wetting
- Dental Care: 3 Years to 6 Years
- Dental care for preschoolers
- Health and Safety, Ages 2 to 5 Years
- Learning to Share Preschool
- Praise and Encouragement
- Preschoolers: Building Self-Control
- Preschoolers: Building Social Skills
- Preschoolers: Building a Sense of Security
- Preschoolers: Encouraging Independence
- Preschoolers: Helping Your Child Explore
- Preventing Tooth Decay in Young Children
- Talking and Listening - Preschool
- Temper Tantrums in Preschool
- Temper Tantrums
- Temper Tantrums: Keeping a Record
- Thumb-Sucking: Helping Your Child Stop
- Your Child and the Dentist
- Good Sleep Habits: 10 Tips
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Preschooler Growth and Development
- Emotional Development, Ages 2 to 5 Years
- Encouraging Language Development in Your Preschooler
- Encouraging Preschoolers creative and artistic development
- How Reading Helps Language Development
- How to Teach Your Child by Example
- Language Development 3-4 Years
- Language Development 4-5 Years
- Language Development Amazing Journey Preschool
- Language Development: 5-6 years
- Milestones for 4-Year-Olds
- Milestones for 5-Year-Olds
- Preschooler Development 3-4 Years
- Preschooler Play
- Preschooler development 4-5 years
- Speech Problems: Normal Disfluency
- Speech and Language Delays: Common Misconceptions 49
- Speech and Language Development
- Speech and Language Development: Red Flags
- Speech and Language Milestones, Ages 3 to 5 Years
- Stuttering
- Thumb-Sucking
- Why Play is Important in Preschool
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Parenting School-Age Children (6-11 years)
- Mealtime for School-Age Children
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Caring for Your School-Age Child
- About Self Esteem and Children
- Active Listening for Children
- Bedwetting
- Building Kids Resilience
- Childhood Fears and Exposure to Violence
- Connecting With Your School-age Child
- Conversation Skills Children talking and Listening
- Conversations that Teach Children Resilience
- Dental Care for School-Age Children
- Don't Stop Having Conversations With Kids
- Establishing Limits With Your School-Age Child
- Explaining Alcohol to Kids
- Friends and Friendship
- Help Your School-Age Child Develop Social Skills
- Helping Your School-Age Child Learn About the Body
- How School-Age Children Communicate
- How to Communicate with your School Age Children
- Problem Solving Strategies
- Problem Solving for Children
- Quick Tips: Using Backpacks Safely
- Sample School Plan
- School Mornings
- Self-Esteem, Ages 6 to 10
- Talking About Tough Topics
- Why Talking is Important
- Back to School
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School-Age Children Growth and Development 6-11
- Growing Pains
- Growth and Development, Ages 6 to 10 Years
- Learning Disabilities
- Milestones for 10-Year-Olds
- Milestones for 6-Year-Olds
- Milestones for 7-Year-Olds
- Milestones for 8-Year-Olds
- Milestones for 9-Year-Olds
- School-Age Children Creative and Artistic Development - what to expect
- School-Age Children and Play
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Parenting Teens (12-18 years)
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Teen Growth and Development
- Adolescent Sensory and Motor Development
- Cognitive Development, Ages 15 to 18 Years
- Emotional and Social Development, Ages 11 to 14 Years
- Emotional and Social Development, Ages 15 to 18 Years
- Growth and Development, Ages 11 to 14 Years
- Growth and Development, Ages 15 to 18 Years
- Menarche
- Menstruation: Not Having a Period by Age 15
- Milestones for Ages 11 to 14
- Milestones for Ages 15 to 18
- Physical Development, Ages 11 to 14 Years /
- Physical Development, Ages 15 to 18 Years
- Puberty Issues
- Teenage Sleep Patterns
- Your Teen's Changing Body
-
Caring for Your Teen
- A Guide for Teens and Alcohol
- Confidence in Teenagers
- Conversations that Teach Resilience
- Dealing with Disrespectful Teenage Behaviour
- Extracurricular Activities, Interests and Hobbies For Teenagers
- Getting Teens Involved in Community Activities
- Health Body Image
- Help Your Working Teen Balance Responsibilities and Set Priorities
- Helping Adolescents Develop More Mature Ways of Thinking
- Helping Your Child Transition Into Middle School or Junior High
- Helping Your Teen Become a Safe Driver
- Hosting Safe Teen Parties
- How to Get Back on Track After Conflict with Teenagers
- How to Start a Conversation with Teens About Alcohol
- If Your Teen is Drinking
- Medical Checkups for Adolescents
- Practicing Good Learning Skills with Teenagers
- Resilience: Helping Your Teenager Cope With Challenges
- Responsibilities
- Responsible Teen Driving
- Safe Night Out for Teenagers
- Setting a Good Example for Your Teens
- Social and Emotional Changes in Adolescence
- Talking to Your Adolescent or Teen About Problems
- Teen Privacy and Trust
- Teen Relationship Abuse
- Teen Risk-Taking: How To Handle It
- Teen Sibling Conflicts
- Teen Substance Use: Making a Contract With Your Teen
- Teenage Substance Use: Choosing a Treatment Program
- Teenage Tobacco Use
- Teens With Diabetes: Issues for Parents
- Teens and Family Relationships
- Teens and Free Time
- Teens and Friendships
- The Risks of Teenage Drinking
- Tips for Parents of Teens
- Tricky Conversations
- Your Teen's Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
-
Teen Growth and Development
- Parenting Young Adults (19 years and over)
-
Keeping Your Child Safe
- Child Safety: Preventing Burns
- Child Safety: Preventing Drowning
- Child Safety: Preventing Child Abduction
- Child Safety: Fires
- Protecting Your Child From Infections
- Child Safety: Pets
- Child Safety: Preventing Falls
- Child Safety: Streets and Motor Vehicles
- Child Safety: Washing Toys to Prevent Germs
- Choking Prevention in Small Children
- Preventing Children's Injuries From Sports and Other Activities
- Quick Tips: Helping Your Child Stay Safe and Healthy
- Child Safety: Air Pollution
- Child Safety: Bathing
- Child Safety: Bicycles and Tricycles
- Child Safety: Drowning Prevention in Pools and Hot Tubs
- Child Safety: Guns and Firearms
- Child Safety: Strollers and Shopping Carts
- Head Injuries in Children: Problems to Watch For
- Head Injury, Age 3 and Younger
- Object Stuck in a Child's Airway
- Playground Safety
- Preventing Choking
- Quick Tips: Safely Giving Over-the-Counter Medicines to Children
- Preventing Poisoning in Young Children
- Staying Healthy Around Animals
- Thinking About Child Safety
- Abuse and Neglect
- Rule of Nines for Babies and Young Children
-
Bullying and Online Safety
- Adolescent Bullying, Schools and Building Your Child’s Resilience
- Bullying
- Bullying: Building a Child's Self-Esteem
- Bullying: How to Help Your Child Who Bullies
- Bullying: Signs a Child Is Bullied
- Cyberbullying
- How to Spot Bullying
- Internet Safety
- Making Sense of Media Messages: Media and Digital Literacy
- Media and Your Child: Making Choices
- Peer Pressure and Teens
- Social Networking
- Staying Connected
- Teenagers Online: Being a Responsible Cybercitizen
-
Relationships and Emotional Health
- Building Good Family Relationships
- Encouraging Good Behaviour
- Handling Sibling Conflict
- Family Routines Children
- Practising Good Listening With Kids
- Helping Your Child Build Inner Strength
- Helping Your Child Build a Healthy Body Image
- Symptoms of Depression in Children
- Active Listening
- Aggression in Youth
- Appreciating Your Child's Personality
- Family Life Cycle
- Family Meetings
- Recognizing and Developing Your Children's Special Talents
- Sibling Rivalry
- Violent Behaviour in Children and Teens
- Growth and Development: Helping Your Child Build Self-Esteem
- Effective Parenting: Discipline
- Corporal Punishment
- Talking With Your Child About Sex
- Helping Kids Handle Peer Pressure
- Substance Use Problems: How to Help Your Teen
- Helping Your Child Avoid Tobacco, Drugs, and Alcohol
- Stress in Children and Teenagers
- Stress Management: Helping Your Child With Stress
- Family Therapy for Depression in Children
- Comparing Symptoms of Normal Moodiness With Depression in Children
- Conditions With Symptoms Similar to Depression in Children and Teens
- Warning Signs of Suicide in Children and Teens
- Taking Care of Yourself When You Have a Child With Physical, Emotional, or Behavioural Problems
- Taking Care of Yourself When Your Child Is Sick
- Grief: Helping Children With Grief
- Grief: Helping Children Understand
- Grief: Helping Teens With Grief
- ADHD: Taking Care of Yourself When Your Child Has ADHD
- Setting a Good Example for Your Kids
- Healthy Habits For a Healthy Life
- Children and Illness
- Baby's Best Chance
- Toddler's First Steps
-
Birth Control
- Birth Control for Teens
- Birth Control Hormones: The Pill
- Birth Control Hormones: The Shot
- Birth Control Hormones: The Mini-Pill
- Birth Control Hormones: The Patch
- Birth Control Hormones: The Ring
- Breastfeeding as Birth Control
- Birth Control: How to Use a Diaphragm
- Birth Control
- Birth Control: Myths About Sex and Pregnancy
- What to Do About Missed or Skipped Birth Control Pills
- Birth Control Pills: Missed or Skipped Periods
- How Birth Control Methods Prevent Pregnancy
- How to Take Birth Control Pills
- Birth Control: How to Use the Patch
- Birth Control: How to Use the Vaginal Ring
- Hormonal Birth Control: Risk of Blood Clots
- Effectiveness Rate of Birth Control Methods
- Birth Control
- Diaphragm for Birth Control
- Spermicide for Birth Control
- Contraceptive Sponge for Birth Control
- Cervical Cap for Birth Control
- Birth Control: Pros and Cons of Hormonal Methods
- Intrauterine Device (IUD) for Birth Control
- Personal Stories About Choosing Birth Control Methods
- Hormonal Methods of Birth Control
- Barrier Methods of Birth Control
- Tubal Implants for Permanent Birth Control
- Birth Control Patch
- How Pregnancy (Conception) Occurs
- Getting Pregnant After Stopping Birth Control
- Male Condoms
- Emergency Contraception
British Columbia Specific Information
A crying baby is frustrating for parents and caregivers, especially when it goes on for long periods of time or you do not know the cause. To learn about why your baby might be crying, and for tips on comforting your child, see:
If you have any reason to believe a child’s crying is related to possible harm or abuse or you think a child or youth (under 19 years of age) is being abused or neglected, call Child Protection Services at 1-800-663-9122. Child Protection Services in B.C. safeguard children from harm. They have the authority to investigate and take appropriate action to ensure that child’s safety. If there is immediate danger, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. To learn more, see the Ministry of Children and Family Development – Child Protection Services in B.C.
If you are a child or youth and want to talk to someone, call the Helpline for Children toll-free at 310-1234 (no area code needed). You can call at any time of the day or night and you do not have to give your name. Call 1-866-660-0505 for TTY services for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. The Helpline for Children is a toll-free service for children or youth (under 19 years of age). There is no charge to call the operator if you call from a pay phone.
Anyone who has reason to believe that a child has been, or is likely to be, abused or neglected has a legal duty under the Child, Family and Community Service Act to report the matter. Visit Ministry of Children and Family Development – Reporting Child Abuse for more information.
Topic Overview
Crying lets others know when a young child is hungry, wet, tired, too warm, too cold, lonely, or in pain. If your child is crying, try to identify the type of cry. It helps to go through a mental checklist of what might be wrong—but remember that there may be nothing bothering your child—and to make sure your child is safe and cared for. As parents or caregivers respond to the young child's other signals (such as whimpering, facial expressions, and wiggling), the child will usually cry less.
Parents and caregivers become better over time at identifying the young child's cry. A young child will often have different kinds of cries.
Crying related to normal development and behaviour
- Hungry cries. Hungry cries start with a whimper and become louder and longer. Your hungry child will eagerly accept feeding and stop crying.
- Upset cries. Upset cries are loud and start suddenly. Your young child may be afraid, bored, or lonely. As your child gets older, upset crying may be a reaction to such things as loud noises, frustration with clothing or toys, or fear of strangers.
-
Pain cries. Pain cries start with a high-pitched, strong wail followed by loud crying. These cries sound very irritating and may make you feel anxious. A young child in pain will often have other signs of pain along with crying. Commonly, pain cries may be caused by:
- A recent immunization. Your child may be fussy, cry more than usual, and have a fever after receiving an immunization, especially diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) shots. But he or she will look well even while continuing to cry.
- Teething. Teething symptoms may begin about 3 to 5 days before a tooth breaks the skin, although symptoms can be present off and on for 1 to 2 months. The most common symptoms of teething include swelling, tenderness, or discomfort in the gums at the site of the erupting tooth; drooling; biting on fingers or toys; irritability; or difficulty sleeping. Teething may cause a mild increase in your child's temperature. But if the temperature is higher than 38°C (100.4°F), look for symptoms that may be related to an infection or illness.
- Constipation. A crying episode that occurs when the child is trying to pass a stool normally will stop when the stool is passed.
- Diaper rash. Irritated skin around the thighs, genitals, buttocks, or abdomen may make a child cry persistently, especially when a diaper is wet or soiled.
- Colic. All babies cry, but sometimes a baby will cry for hours at a time, no matter what you do. This extreme type of crying in a baby who is between 3 weeks and 3 months of age is called colic. While it is upsetting for parents and caregivers, colic is normal for babies. Doctors usually diagnose colic when a healthy baby cries harder than expected in a "3" pattern: more than 3 hours a day at least 3 days a week for at least 3 weeks in a row. The crying is usually worst when babies are around 6 to 8 weeks of age, and it goes away on its own between 8 and 14 weeks of age. Doctors are not sure what causes colic. It may be related to gas in the belly, an immature nervous system, or your baby's temperament.
- Abdominal cramps from overfeeding or milk intolerance. Overeating or swallowing too much air during feeding can cause abdominal cramps, which in turn can make a baby cry. Crying also may occur if your child is sensitive to milk protein. The baby will often spit up some of the feeding and may have loose stools.
- A minor illness, such as a cold or stomach flu (gastroenteritis). Crying related to an illness often begins suddenly. In most cases, there are other signs of illness such as fever, looking sick, and decreased appetite.
- Minor injuries. Your child is likely to cry when he or she has an injury, such as an eyelash in the eye, an insect bite, an open diaper pin in the skin, or a strand of hair wrapped around a finger, toe, or the penis.
- Overtired or overstimulated cries. Crying can be your young child's way of releasing tension when there is too much noise, movement, or activity in his or her environment or when he or she is overtired.
Crying related to a serious illness or injury
On rare occasions, crying may point to a serious illness or injury. Crying caused by a serious illness or injury usually lasts much longer than normal and your baby may not be acting normally.
- Some illnesses may cause persistent crying. These include common infections, such as ear infections (otitis media) or urinary tract infections, and rarer infections, such as meningitis, encephalitis, or sepsis with dehydration. A persistent cry in a newborn may be the first sign of a serious illness, such as sepsis.
- A serious injury from a fall, being shaken, or abuse may cause a child to cry for a long time. Other signs of injury, such as swelling, bruising, or bleeding, are usually present.
Crying and shaken baby syndrome
Crying can be very frustrating for a parent or caregiver. Do not get angry at your child for crying. Never shake or harm your child. Shaking a child in anger or playing rough, such as throwing him or her into the air, can injure the brain. Shaken baby syndrome needs to be reported to your doctor. If you find that you are losing patience or are afraid that you may hurt your child:
- Place your child in a safe place while you go into another room, relax, and calm yourself.
- Ask someone to help you. If you cannot find someone to take over for you and you still feel out of control, call your doctor.
Crying related to medical conditions
Certain medical conditions can cause a young child to cry, such as gastroesophageal reflux, inguinal hernia, or intussusception.
Check your child's symptoms to decide if and when your child should see a doctor.
Check Your Symptoms
The medical assessment of symptoms is based on the body parts you have.
- If you are transgender or non-binary, choose the sex that matches the body parts (such as ovaries, testes, prostate, breasts, penis, or vagina) you now have in the area where you are having symptoms.
- If your symptoms aren’t related to those organs, you can choose the gender you identify with.
- If you have some organs of both sexes, you may need to go through this triage tool twice (once as "male" and once as "female"). This will make sure that the tool asks the right questions for you.
Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind of care you may need. These include:
- Your age. Babies and older adults tend to get sicker quicker.
- Your overall health. If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care sooner.
- Medicines you take. Certain medicines, such as blood thinners (anticoagulants), medicines that suppress the immune system like steroids or chemotherapy, or natural health products can cause symptoms or make them worse.
- Recent health events, such as surgery or injury. These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them more serious.
- Your health habits and lifestyle, such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug use, sexual history, and travel.
Try Home Treatment
You have answered all the questions. Based on your answers, you may be able to take care of this problem at home.
- Try home treatment to relieve the symptoms.
- Call your doctor if symptoms get worse or you have any concerns (for example, if symptoms are not getting better as you would expect). You may need care sooner.
Symptoms of difficulty breathing can range from mild to severe. For example:
- You may feel a little out of breath but still be able to talk (mild difficulty breathing), or you may be so out of breath that you cannot talk at all (severe difficulty breathing).
- It may be getting hard to breathe with activity (mild difficulty breathing), or you may have to work very hard to breathe even when you're at rest (severe difficulty breathing).
Symptoms of difficulty breathing in a baby or young child can range from mild to severe. For example:
- The child may be breathing a little faster than usual (mild difficulty breathing), or the child may be having so much trouble that the nostrils are flaring and the belly is moving in and out with every breath (severe difficulty breathing).
- The child may seem a little out of breath but is still able to eat or talk (mild difficulty breathing), or the child may be breathing so hard that he or she cannot eat or talk (severe difficulty breathing).
Severe trouble breathing means:
- The child cannot eat or talk because he or she is breathing so hard.
- The child's nostrils are flaring and the belly is moving in and out with every breath.
- The child seems to be tiring out.
- The child seems very sleepy or confused.
Moderate trouble breathing means:
- The child is breathing a lot faster than usual.
- The child has to take breaks from eating or talking to breathe.
- The nostrils flare or the belly moves in and out at times when the child breathes.
Mild trouble breathing means:
- The child is breathing a little faster than usual.
- The child seems a little out of breath but can still eat or talk.
A baby that is extremely sick:
- May be limp and floppy like a rag doll.
- May not respond at all to being held, touched, or talked to.
- May be hard to wake up.
A baby that is sick (but not extremely sick):
- May be sleepier than usual.
- May not eat or drink as much as usual.
You can use a small rubber bulb (called an aspirating bulb) to remove mucus from your baby's nose or mouth when a cold or allergies make it hard for the baby to eat, sleep, or breathe.
To use the bulb:
- Put a few saline nose drops in each side of the baby's nose before you start.
- Position the baby with his or her head tilted slightly back.
- Squeeze the round base of the bulb.
- Gently insert the tip of the bulb tightly inside the baby's nose.
- Release the bulb to remove (suction) mucus from the nose.
Don't do this more than 5 or 6 times a day. Doing it too often can make the congestion worse and can also cause the lining of the nose to swell or bleed.
Colic is an extreme type of crying in a baby between 3 weeks and 3 months of age. All babies cry, but a colicky baby will cry for hours at a time, no matter what you do.
During a crying episode, a colicky baby may cry loudly and continuously and be hard to comfort. The baby may get red in the face, clench the fists, and arch his or her back or pull the legs up to the belly.
Shock is a life-threatening condition that may occur quickly after a sudden illness or injury.
Babies and young children often have several symptoms of shock. These include:
- Passing out (losing consciousness).
- Being very sleepy or hard to wake up.
- Not responding when being touched or talked to.
- Breathing much faster than usual.
- Acting confused. The child may not know where he or she is.
Pain in children under 3 years
It can be hard to tell how much pain a baby or toddler is in.
- Severe pain (8 to 10): The pain is so bad that the baby cannot sleep, cannot get comfortable, and cries constantly no matter what you do. The baby may kick, make fists, or grimace.
- Moderate pain (5 to 7): The baby is very fussy, clings to you a lot, and may have trouble sleeping but responds when you try to comfort him or her.
- Mild pain (1 to 4): The baby is a little fussy and clings to you a little but responds when you try to comfort him or her.
Pain in children 3 years and older
- Severe pain (8 to 10): The pain is so bad that the child can't stand it for more than a few hours, can't sleep, and can't do anything else except focus on the pain. No one can tolerate severe pain for more than a few hours.
- Moderate pain (5 to 7): The pain is bad enough to disrupt the child's normal activities and sleep, but the child can tolerate it for hours or days.
- Mild pain (1 to 4): The child notices and may complain of the pain, but it is not bad enough to disrupt his or her sleep or activities.
Seek Care Today
Based on your answers, you may need care soon. The problem probably will not get better without medical care.
- Call your doctor today to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care.
- If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care today.
- If it is evening, watch the symptoms and seek care in the morning.
- If the symptoms get worse, seek care sooner.
Seek Care Now
Based on your answers, you may need care right away. The problem is likely to get worse without medical care.
- Call your doctor now to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care.
- If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care in the next hour.
- You do not need to call an ambulance unless:
- You cannot travel safely either by driving yourself or by having someone else drive you.
- You are in an area where heavy traffic or other problems may slow you down.
Call 9-1-1 Now
Based on your answers, you need emergency care.
Call 9-1-1 or other emergency services now.
Sometimes people don't want to call 9-1-1. They may think that their symptoms aren't serious or that they can just get someone else to drive them. But based on your answers, the safest and quickest way for you to get the care you need is to call 9-1-1 for medical transport to the hospital.
Make an Appointment
Based on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical care.
- Make an appointment to see your doctor in the next 1 to 2 weeks.
- If appropriate, try home treatment while you are waiting for the appointment.
- If symptoms get worse or you have any concerns, call your doctor. You may need care sooner.
Home Treatment
Crying is a normal part of your child's life. Stay as calm as possible during crying episodes. There are many different ways to approach your child's crying, and over time you will understand your child's needs and know how to care for him or her.
It may be helpful to keep a record of your child's crying to see whether there is a pattern that you can discuss with your child's doctor.
Checklist of common reasons a child cries
Use this checklist to help you figure out the reason for your child's crying and take action to eliminate the cause of the crying. Remember that the crying may be normal for your child. Ask yourself whether your child:
- Is hungry. Does he or she need to be burped? Does he or she need to suck (on a finger, pacifier, bottle, or breast)?
- Needs a diaper change.
- Needs to be moved to a more comfortable position.
- Is afraid, bored, or lonely.
- Is too warm (feels warm) or too cold. Young children usually have cool hands and feet. When they are cold, their hands and feet will be colder than usual. If you think your child may be cold, check the arms, thighs, or back of the neck for skin cool to the touch.
- Is hurting from something pinching or poking the skin.
- Is overstimulated. Crying can be a young child's way of releasing tension when there is too much noise, movement, or activity in his or her environment or when he or she is overtired.
- Is uncomfortable from teething. Young children who are teething can be fretful and cry more than usual because their gums are swollen and sore. Children who are teething drool more than usual and may try to rub their gums with toys or fingers.
- Had a recent immunization. If you think your child is uncomfortable from a recent immunization, acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 18.
Illness or injury that may cause a child to cry
Young children may turn red or purple in the face when crying. A sick child may have pale, blue, or spots of bluish (mottled) skin and may be listless, unusually sleepy, or irritable. A sick child's cry may be weak and feeble or (in rare cases) high-pitched and piercing. If you think your child may be sick or hurt:
- Check for a fever. For information on how to take a temperature, see the topic Body Temperature.
- Look for other signs of illness, such as crying during feeding, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- Check for other signs of pain.
- Does your child have colic? You may want to limit visitors and activity during those times when he or she is most fussy.
- Is something causing your child pain, such as an open pin sticking the skin, a red spot that may be an insect bite, or a strand of hair wrapped around a finger, a toe, or the penis?
- Does your child have pain in the groin area? Check his groin area and scrotum or her groin area for a bulge that may be an inguinal hernia.
- Does your young boy have scrotal swelling or tenderness (testicular torsion)? Testicular torsion can cause severe pain.
- Has your child fallen or been dropped? Undress your child and look for swelling, bruises, or bleeding.
Comforting measures
If you don't find a reason for your child's crying, try comforting techniques, such as rocking your baby, breastfeeding, or offering a pacifier once breastfeeding is going well (usually after 3 or 4 weeks). If your child continues to cry after you have tried home treatment, place him or her in a safe, quiet place and leave him or her alone for 10 to 15 minutes. Sometimes children can relax and soothe themselves. Be sure to stay close by.
Talk with your child's doctor before giving your child any non-prescription medicines or herbal remedies as a comfort measure. Products with alcohol or sugar in them are not recommended.
Do not get angry at your child for crying. Never shake or harm your child. Shaking a child in anger or playing rough, such as throwing a baby up into the air and catching him or her, can cause shaken baby syndrome. If you find that you are losing patience or are afraid that you may hurt your child:
- Place your child in a safe place while you go into another room, relax, and calm yourself.
- Ask someone to help you. If you cannot find someone to take over for you and you still feel out of control, call your doctor.
Symptoms to watch for during home treatment
Call your doctor if any of the following occur during home treatment:
- Changes in the level of consciousness develop.
- Your child is not acting normally and cries in a way that is not usual for him or her.
- Crying continues longer than 30 minutes, and the child appears to be in pain.
- Crying continues longer than 30 minutes after an injury.
- Symptoms become more severe or frequent.
Prevention
The following tips may help you care for your child and lessen the amount he or she cries.
General tips
- Recognize and respond to your child's cry and other signals (whimpering, wiggling, and facial expressions). Do not worry about spoiling your child. Young children cry for a reason and are not trying to manipulate parents or caregivers. It is harder to find the cause of crying and takes longer to soothe your child when he or she has been crying for a long time. Babies younger than 6 months use crying as their way to communicate. As a young child learns other ways to communicate, he or she may use crying for attention. If you think your child's crying is related to behaviour problems, many parenting books and classes offer suggestions for behaviour modification in these situations.
- Keep a regular routine for your child's meals, naps, and play times. This will prevent your child from getting overtired or overstimulated.
- Carry your child in your arms or in a soft pouch infant carrier so your child is close to your chest. Studies have shown that young children carried for about 3 hours each day cry much less than those who are carried less. Being carried gives your child the pleasure of physical closeness and may help you be more in tune with his or her needs.
Feeding tips
- If you breastfeed your child, watch how your own diet affects your child's behaviour. For example, does your child have gas or cry more after you have eaten certain foods? The medicines you take can pass in your breast milk to your child and affect him or her. If you smoke cigarettes or chew tobacco, the nicotine can pass through your breast milk and may make your child fussy or irritable.
- Make sure your child is getting enough to eat but is not overfed. Make sure the nipple opening of the bottle is not too large or too small.
- If your baby gulps during bottle feedings, the nipple hole may be too large, causing your baby to swallow air when sucking.
- If your baby struggles with the bottle during feedings, the nipple hole may be too small, causing air to be swallowed when sucking. When a baby struggles for nourishment, he or she may become frustrated and may even stop eating before being satisfied.
- Your baby is ready for solid foods at 6 months of age. Don't give your child solid foods at a younger age unless your doctor has told you to.
- Make sure your child's sucking needs are satisfied. Sucking can help a child relieve stress without crying. Some young children need to suck as much as 2 hours a day. If feedings are not enough to satisfy sucking, use a pacifier. If your baby is breastfed, experts recommend waiting 3 or 4 weeks after birth until breastfeeding is going well before offering a pacifier.
- If you think the formula may be the problem, talk to your child's doctor before changing formulas or brands of formulas.
Safety tips
- Do not leave your child unattended in a place where an injury may occur, such as on a changing table, in a high chair or in a crib with a side rail down.
- Keep tobacco smoke out of the home and away from your baby. Even second-hand smoke may make your child fussy. Secondhand smoke increases a child's risk for respiratory problems compared with young children who are not exposed.
- Try to stay calm. Young children are very sensitive to their parents' frustration and fatigue. Try to sleep whenever your child does, even during the day, so you will have more energy for those times when he or she is fussy. Take some breaks from the care of your child. Ask a friend or neighbour to babysit some evening while you enjoy some free time.
- Never shake your baby! Place your child in a safe place while you go into another room, relax, and calm yourself. Or ask someone to help you.
Preparing For 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 colour is the vomit?
- How often does your child have a bowel movement? Are the stools 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?
Related Information
Credits
Adaptation Date: 1/18/2023
Adapted By: HealthLink BC
Adaptation Reviewed By: HealthLink BC
Adaptation Date: 1/18/2023
Adapted By: HealthLink BC
Adaptation Reviewed By: HealthLink BC
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