A–Z Glossary

Tantrum

A tantrum is an intense emotional outburst in a young child that may involve crying, screaming, dropping to the floor, or resisting physically.

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How crying changes by age

How crying changes by age

Newborn crying: an immature but powerful alarm system In the newborn period, crying is primarily a rapid state-regulation and communication response. A baby may cry because of hunger, wetness, temperature discomfort, fatigue, pain, overstimulation, separation from a caregiver, or difficulty transitioning between sleep and wakefulness. Because newborns have limited voluntary control over attention and arousal, […]