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Tiny Tears, Huge Tantrums

How Do You Know What's Normal and What Could Signal a Problem?

By Renee Roberson

If your child is suffering from this type of disorder, parents can relieve their baby in ways similar to a typical baby who is suffering from over-stimulation. The key is to try and stay one step ahead of your infant's unhappy spells. Try to avoid playing loud music or exposing your baby to bold and bright colors. Keep bouncy-type games to a minimum.

If you suspect your child has sensory-regulatory disorder (also sometimes called sensory-regulatory dysfunction, sensory-processing disorder or sensory-integrative disorder) Dr. Sossin recommends talking over your concerns with your pediatrician, who may refer your child to a specialized pediatrician with sensory training. Children with this type of disorder may or may not go on to develop learning disabilities, attention problems or difficulties with personal interaction.

Dr. Tobin agrees that if a baby displays frustrated behavior, by itself it is most likely a sign of sleep deprivation. "However, a baby who is very high maintenance past the usual colicky period needs a complete physical and developmental assessment," she says.

The most important thing parents of a fussy infant can do is remain calm and realize that their baby is merely trying to express what's going in his mind in the only way he knows how and his behavior is not being caused by anything you have done. By stepping back, assessing the situation and trying different methods of soothing your child, you should be able to find out what works best with your infant.

And if you can't, you always have your pediatrician to offer advice, tips and, if necessary, a more thorough examination of your child's behavior and development to see if a more serious problem could be at the root of the behavior.

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