Irritability and crying in babies (babies from birth to 1 year old) is their way of communicating their needs. It may simply indicate that the baby is hungry, sleepy, tired, cold or hot, or has a wet diaper. However, excessive irritability, more than normal, can be a baby’s way of signaling any discomfort or problems he/she may face if the baby cannot talk. Excessive irritability and crying can be due to certain medical reasons that are common in babies. Some common ones include stomach pain due to gas, teething, head pain, earache, constipation, colds, urinary tract infection, diaper rash, or a viral or bacterial infection. In some cases, certain serious medical conditions may be the cause, such as an infection in the brain, lungs, or kidneys, which may require immediate medical attention. Irritability may be accompanied by other signs and symptoms depending on the cause behind it. Some of the signs and symptoms that can be serious may accompany it, such as lethargy, drowsiness, difficulty breathing, high fever, skin color changes to yellow or blue, persistent diarrhea or vomiting, and dehydration. These serious signs and symptoms require immediate medical attention.
Homeopathic treatment
Homeopathic medicines can prove very effective in controlling irritability in infants. These medicines are safe to use because they are 100% natural medicines and have no side effects. Homeopathic medicines in these cases work to calm the baby by addressing the underlying cause. The medicines to control irritability are chosen on an individual case basis from various available medicines in homeopathy. The constitution (the sum of a person’s physical and mental condition) of the baby is studied in detail to finalize and prescribe homeopathic medicine. It is advised to always consult a homeopathic doctor before prescribing any medicines who will find out the reason behind the irritability and assess the detailed case to give an individual prescription for medicines. Under no circumstances should self-medication be practiced. Homeopathy is recommended only for mild to moderate cases without any serious cause related to irritability. In severe cases of intense irritability and when a serious reason is the cause of the irritability, such as an infection in the brain, kidneys or lungs, immediate help through conventional treatment should be sought. Homeopathy has limitations in treating cases where a serious cause is related to irritability.
Homeopathic medicines for irritability in infants
1. Chamomilla – Top recommended drug
Chamomilla is one of the best number one medicines in homeopathy to control irritability in infants. Babies who need this medicine want to be carried in their arms all the time. They feel better when they are held in the arms. Their head feels warm. This medicine is most recommended if the baby is irritable while brushing the teeth when the teeth are erupting. At that time, babies become excessively irritable and fussy. This is accompanied by frequent crying fits and also screaming. They stop crying when they are carried in the arms. They feel discomfort in the gums, along with redness and tenderness (pain when touched) of the gums. Diarrhea (loose stools) may be present during dentition. Insomnia is also observed during the teething phase along with the above-mentioned characteristics.
2. Cina – For irritability during teething and against worms
Cina is an effective medicine to control irritability in infants during dentition and irritability with the presence of worms in the intestine. Babies requiring this medicine long to be carried in the arms, yet they remain irritable and no relief is seen even after carrying. This is often accompanied by screaming, hitting and crying. They demand different things, but when they are offered, they do not take them. They also don’t like being touched by anyone. They have a hard and bloated abdomen with pain. Loose stools with white mucus may also be present.
3. Lycopodium – For irritability due to gas, bloating and abdominal pain
This medicine may be considered if there is irritability, gas, bloating and abdominal pain. Gas in the abdomen is marked in the evening. Lycopodium helps release gas, relieve stomach pain and control irritability if gas and colic are the cause. This medicine is also beneficial for babies who are irritable and cry all day but sleep well at night. During the day they are grumpy and want to be carried. After waking up from a nap, they scream and kick a lot. Lycopodium also manages irritability that occurs along with loose stools.
4. Calcarea Phos – For irritability during dentition
Calcarea is the next important medicine to control dental irritability. There is loose stool with excessive gas. There is stomach pain which is relieved by gas passage. Gas has an unpleasant odor. Whitish flakes may end up in the stool.
5. Antimonium Crudum – To control irritability due to loose stools or stomach pain
This medicine is recommended for irritability due to loose stools or stomach pain. The baby does not want to be touched or looked at. The stool is loose, yellow and smelly. The loose stool may contain hard lumps. Together with the above, the tongue is thickly coated in white, which is an important characteristic feature. Vomiting may occur after taking food. The milk is regurgitated in the form of curd. Vomiting is followed by excessive irritability.
6. Borax – For irritability and crying before passing urine or stool
This medicine is of great use in cases of irritability and crying. Babies who require this medicine are very sensitive to sudden noises and get scared and startled by slight sounds like sneezing, coughing, crying, etc. The child is also anxious and anxious when rocked in the arms. The head feels warm in babies who need this medicine. Crying and screaming before urinating or defecating is an important feature of its use.
7. Rheumatism – with restlessness and crying during sleep
This medicine is useful in cases of irritability in babies with restlessness and crying during sleep. There is a tendency to acid-smelling sweat, especially on the scalp, forehead, around the mouth and nose in babies requiring this medicine. The scent remains even after bathing the baby. In addition to the above complaints, the stool may also have a sour smell. Sour odor can also come from the mouth with excessive salivation.
8. Calcarea Carb – for irritable baby during teething
This medicine is well indicated if the baby is irritable during dentition and when he cries. There is profuse sour-smelling sweat on the scalp. The stool may smell sour and may contain undigested food particles. Distention and hardness of the abdomen may occur.
9. Kreosote – For Irritability and insomnia during teething
This medicine is especially indicated for babies who experience irritability and insomnia during teething. The child screams at night. The child is also very restless. They have swelling of the gums. They desire many things, but throw them away when those things are offered.