Pedemy · For parents
Crying diary and caregiver support plan
Record crying, feeding context, symptoms and soothing tried, and plan help and rest for caregivers. This diary does not diagnose colic, score distress or confirm that the baby is well.
Use these notes with your child’s clinician. This tool does not diagnose illness, prescribe treatment or confirm that home care is safe.
Crying with emergency warning signs
Call local emergency services for difficult breathing, blue or grey lips, a limp baby, a seizure or a baby who is very difficult to wake. Get emergency assessment now for green or bloody vomit, a swollen painful belly, or a weak, high-pitched or clearly unusual cry. If the baby may have been shaken or injured, seek emergency help; do not wait to finish the diary.
Fever, feeding and growth need attention
A baby younger than 3 months with a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher needs urgent medical assessment, even if crying seems like colic. Seek prompt advice for poor feeding, fewer wet diapers, unusual sleepiness, repeated vomiting, blood in stool or poor weight gain. Do not delay assessment to try a remedy or collect more diary entries.
Your entries stay in this open page and disappear when it is reloaded or closed. Print a copy if needed. Avoid names and identifying details.
Care reminders
- Crying, clenched fists, drawn-up legs or passing gas do not prove colic, reflux or a food allergy. Ask the clinician about new, persistent or worrying crying instead of relying on a time-based rule.
- Respond to hunger cues and continue the baby’s usual feeds. Ask for feeding support if feeding seems painful or difficult. Crying alone is not a reason to stop breastfeeding, restrict the breastfeeding parent’s diet or repeatedly switch formula; discuss suspected feeding problems with the clinician.
- Do not give gripe water, herbal mixtures, anti-colic drops or probiotic supplements as a routine treatment without discussing them with the child’s clinician. Benefits and safety vary by product; this guide does not recommend a remedy, formula change or restricted diet.