PEDIATRICS Vol. 77 No. 5 May 1986, pp. 641-648
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow P3Rs: Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when P3Rs are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow E-mail this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My File Cabinet
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Hunziker, U. A.
Right arrow Articles by Barr, R. G.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Hunziker, U. A.
Right arrow Articles by Barr, R. G.

Increased Carrying Reduces Infant Crying: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Urs A. Hunziker MD1 and Ronald G. Barr MDCM, FRCP(C)1

1 From the Department of Pediatrics, The McGill University-Montreal Children's Hospital Research Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

The crying pattern of normal infants in industrialized societies is characterized by an overall increase until 6 weeks of age followed by a decline until 4 months of age with a preponderance of evening crying. We hypothesized that this "normal" crying could be reduced by supplemental carrying, that is, increased carrying throughout the day in addition to that which occurs during feeding and in response to crying. In a randomized controlled trial, 99 mother-infant pairs were assigned to an increased carrying or control group. At the time of peak crying (6 weeks of age), infants who received supplemental carrying cried and fussed 43% less (1.23 v 2.16 h/d) overall, and 51% less (0.63 v 1.28 hours) during the evening hours (4 PM to midnight). Similar but smaller decreases occurred at 4, 8, and 12 weeks of age. Decreased crying and fussing were associated with increased contentment and feeding frequency but no change in feeding duration or sleep. We conclude that supplemental carrying modifies "normal" crying by reducing the duration and altering the typical pattern of crying and fussing in the first 3 months of life. The relative lack of carrying in our society may predispose to crying and colic in normal infants.

Key Words: crying • carrying • colic • mother-infant interaction

Submitted on May 17, 1985
Accepted on July 10, 1985




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
PediatricsHome page
J. Maunu, J. Kirjavainen, R. Korja, R. Parkkola, H. Rikalainen, H. Lapinleimu, L. Haataja, L. Lehtonen, and and the PIPARI Study Group
Relation of Prematurity and Brain Injury to Crying Behavior in Infancy
Pediatrics, July 1, 2006; 118(1): e57 - e65.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
PediatricsHome page
I. St James-Roberts, M. Alvarez, E. Csipke, T. Abramsky, J. Goodwin, and E. Sorgenfrei
Infant crying and sleeping in London, Copenhagen and when parents adopt a "proximal" form of care.
Pediatrics, June 1, 2006; 117(6): e1146 - e1155.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Pediatr. Rev.Home page
J. Kim, R. G. Barr, and M. T. Stein
Question From the Clinician: Colic in Nonhumans
Pediatr. Rev., December 1, 2004; 25(12): 442 - 444.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arch Pediatr Adolesc MedHome page
R. G. Barr
Changing Our Understanding of Infant Colic
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, December 1, 2002; 156(12): 1172 - 1174.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arch Pediatr Adolesc MedHome page
T. J. Clifford, M. K. Campbell, K. N. Speechley, and F. Gorodzinsky
Sequelae of Infant Colic: Evidence of Transient Infant Distress and Absence of Lasting Effects on Maternal Mental Health
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, December 1, 2002; 156(12): 1183 - 1188.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arch Pediatr Adolesc MedHome page
T. J. Clifford, M. K. Campbell, K. N. Speechley, and F. Gorodzinsky
Infant Colic: Empirical Evidence of the Absence of an Association With Source of Early Infant Nutrition
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, November 1, 2002; 156(11): 1123 - 1128.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
PediatricsHome page
W. Stening, P. Nitsch, G. Wassmer, and B. Roth
Cardiorespiratory Stability of Premature and Term Infants Carried in Infant Slings
Pediatrics, November 1, 2002; 110(5): 879 - 883.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
PediatricsHome page
S. A. Reijneveld, E. Brugman, and R. A. Hirasing
Excessive Infant Crying: The Impact of Varying Definitions
Pediatrics, October 1, 2001; 108(4): 893 - 897.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
JAMAHome page
M. S. Kramer, R. G. Barr, S. Dagenais, H. Yang, P. Jones, L. Ciofani, and F. Jane
Pacifier Use, Early Weaning, and Cry/Fuss Behavior: A Randomized Controlled Trial
JAMA, July 18, 2001; 286(3): 322 - 326.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arch. Dis. Child.Home page
E Olafsdottir, S Forshei, G Fluge, and T Markestad
Randomised controlled trial of infantile colic treated with chiropractic spinal manipulation
Arch. Dis. Child., February 1, 2001; 84(2): 138 - 141.
[Abstract] [Full Text]


Home page
CLIN PEDIATRHome page
S. Levitzky and R. Cooper
Infant Colic Syndrome--Maternal Fantasies of Aggression and Infanticide
Clinical Pediatrics, July 1, 2000; 39(7): 395 - 400.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
PediatricsHome page
M. M. Garrison and D. A. Christakis
A Systematic Review of Treatments for Infant Colic
Pediatrics, July 1, 2000; 106(1): 184 - 190.
[Abstract] [Full Text]


Home page
PediatricsHome page
V. Huhtala, L. Lehtonen, R. Heinonen, and H. Korvenranta
Infant Massage Compared With Crib Vibrator in the Treatment of Colicky Infants
Pediatrics, June 1, 2000; 105(6): 84e - 84.
[Abstract] [Full Text]


Home page
International Journal of Behavioral DevelopmentHome page
K. Negayama
Development of Reactions to Pain of Inoculation in Children and their Mothers
International Journal of Behavioral Development, September 1, 1999; 23(3): 731 - 746.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
PediatricsHome page
R. G. Barr, S. N. Young, J. H. Wright, R. Gravel, and R. Alkawaf
Differential Calming Responses to Sucrose Taste in Crying Infants With and Without Colic
Pediatrics, May 1, 1999; 103(5): 68e - 68.
[Abstract] [Full Text]


Home page
Arch Pediatr Adolesc MedHome page
S. Latz, A. W. Wolf, and B. Lozoff
Cosleeping in Context: Sleep Practices and Problems in Young Children in Japan and the United States
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, April 1, 1999; 153(4): 339 - 346.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arch. Dis. Child.Home page
I. S. James-Roberts; and J R HARPER
What is distinct about infants' "colic" cries? • Commentary
Arch. Dis. Child., January 1, 1999; 80(1): 56 - 62.
[Abstract] [Full Text]


Home page
Arch. Dis. Child.Home page
M F van der Wal, D C van den Boom, H Pauw-Plomp, and G A de Jonge
Mothers' reports of infant crying and soothing in a multicultural population
Arch. Dis. Child., October 1, 1998; 79(4): 312 - 317.
[Abstract] [Full Text]


Home page
Clin Nurs ResHome page
M. R. Elliott, J. Drummond, and K. E. Barnard
Subjective Appraisal of Infant Crying
Clin Nurs Res, May 1, 1996; 5(2): 237 - 250.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
Qual Health ResHome page
J. E. Drummond, C. F. Wiebe, and M. R. Elliott
Maternal Understanding of Infant Crying: What does a Negative Case Tell Us?
Qual Health Res, May 1, 1994; 4(2): 208 - 223.
[Abstract] [PDF]