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Review
. 2019 Dec;33(4):779-790.
doi: 10.1111/scs.12702. Epub 2019 May 6.

The consequences of having an excessively crying infant in the family: an integrative literature review

Elina Botha  1 , Katja Joronen  1 , Marja Kaunonen  2
Affiliations
Review

The consequences of having an excessively crying infant in the family: an integrative literature review

Elina Botha et al. Scand J Caring Sci. 2019 Dec.

Abstract

Background: The consequences of having an excessively crying infant in the family are acknowledged in research, yet to our knowledge, no literature review has been made regarding the overall consequences to the family and infant. This integrative review fills the gap with the aim to review and synthesise current research.

Aims: To identify, describe and synthesise previous studies on the consequences of having an excessively crying infant in the family.

Design: An integrative review of literature published between January 2008 and April 2018. The search was conducted in the following databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Medic and Journals@Ovid. Empirical literature reporting the consequences of having an excessively crying infant in the family was eligible for inclusion. Quality appraisal was performed using CASP tools and JBI checklists. The extracted data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings: Thirty-one articles were included in the review. Ten themes were identified: The consequences of having an excessively crying infant in the family create desperation. It ruins everyday life, impairs breastfeeding, isolates and casts parents into loneliness, strains and breaks family relationships with feelings of failure as a parent. The excessively crying infant in the family brings a struggle that can lead to physical and mental exhaustion. The infant may have problems later in childhood. Parents are actively trying to solve the problem and to adjust. Time allows survival with traces of negative symptoms, feelings and memories.

Conclusions: The consequences of having an excessively crying infant in the family are harmful to relationships and health. Caring for the crying infant can lead to exhaustion, which might escalate into abuse. These findings help professionals understand this complex phenomenon and encourage actions for concrete support. Further research is required to explore evidence-based interventions that can help excessively crying infants and their families.

Keywords: excessive infant crying; family; infant; infant colic; integrative literature review.

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