Emotional and Behavioural

Question 1

List some reasons for a crying baby

Answer 1

1) Wet / dirty nappy
2) Too hot or cold
3) Hungry
4) Wind
5) Colic
6) Environmental stress
7) Reflux
8) Teething

Question 2

What is infantile colic?

Answer 2

Periodic crying associated with over-feeding / hunger

Often occurs in evenings

Cries may last several hours and be inconsolable, with flushed face, distended tense abdo, and drawn-up legs

Question 3

What is the rule of 3s for infantile colic?

Answer 3

Cries >3hrs/day
Occurs >3 days/week
Presents for >3weeks

Question 4

What is the management of infantile colic?

Answer 4

Screen for abuse - “how is your child to get along with?”

Keep upright with frequent burping

Should resolve by 3 months of age

Question 5

What may be the cause of sudden and severe crying in a baby? (3)

Answer 5

1) OM
2) Intussusception
3) Strangulated inguinal hernia

Question 6

How may a temper tantrum present? What is the peak age?

Answer 6

Screaming
Hitting
Biting
Breath-holing attacks

Peak age = 18-36 months - terrible twos

Question 7

What advice may be given to parents complaining of children with temper tantrums?

Answer 7

Avoid precipitants eg hunger and tiredness

Divert tantrum by distraction

Stay calm to teach control

Reward good behaviour

Try to ignore bad behaviour until calm

Use time outs (1 min for each year of life)

Question 8

What advice may be given to parents complaining of children with feeding problems?

Answer 8

Keep meal times relaxed

Not pressurised into eating

Small helpings that can be finished and seconds given if wanted

Eat as a family if possible

Question 9

By what age can most children sleep through the night?

Answer 9

3 months

Question 10

What advice may be given to parents to help sleep hygiene?

Answer 10

Routine at bedtime eg book

Do not rock baby

Crib hygiene - on back, not too many pillows, sleep alone

Question 11

What is SIDS?

Answer 11

Sudden infant death syndrome = cot death

Question 12

What increases risk of SIDS?

Answer 12

Baby sleep on their stomachs
Soft mattresses eg memory foam
Additional bedding eg pillows

Question 13

Compare nightmares to night terrors:
Common
Age
M:F
REM?
Awaken?
Remember?

Answer 13

Nightmares:
Common
Any age
M=F
Occur in REM
Child awakens
Child remembers episode

Night terrors:
Rare
Ages 2-8
M>F
Non-REM (usually first hour of sleep)
Child appears awake but isn't
No memory of episode