SynthesisJournal of advanced nursing2023
Parental perceptions and experiences of infant crying: A systematic review and synthesis of qualitative research.
Synthesis in Journal of advanced nursing, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 16 papers, 4 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
16 citing papers in PubMed, 4 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Exclusive breastfeeding and infant colic: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC pediatrics · 2026Pooled it
- Determinants of early interruption of exclusive breastfeeding: a qualitative meta-synthesis.BMC public health · 2026Pooled it
- Parental perceptions and experiences of infant crying: A systematic review and synthesis of qualitative research.Journal of advanced nursing · 2023Pooled it
- Acoustic Features, Parental Perception and Developmental Correlations of Crying in Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Infancy : the official journal of the International Society on Infant StudiesPooled it
- Article
- [Research progress and clinical practice considerations on assessment tools for gastroesophageal reflux disease in infants and young children].Zhongguo dang dai er ke za zhi = Chinese journal of contemporary pediatrics · 2026Review
- Serum Ghrelin, Motilin, and Beta-Endorphin Levels in Infants With Colic and Healthy Infants in Lebanon.Cureus · 2026Article
- Father Trait Anger and Exposure to Infant Cry: Effects on Emotion, Appraisals of Infants, and Cognitive Performance.Journal of personality · 2026Article
- Genetic and environmental influences on sleep quality, ability to settle, and crying duration in 2- and 5-month-old infants: A longitudinal twin study.JCPP advances · 2026Article
- Article
- Exclusive breastfeeding and infantile colic: a cohort study.International breastfeeding journal · 2026Article
- Links among maternal antenatal attachment, postnatal depressive symptoms and infant crying: a prospective cohort study.Archives of women's mental health · 2025Article
- Breaking the cycle: Psychological and social dimensions of pediatric functional gastrointestinal disorders.World journal of clinical pediatrics · 2025Article
- Turkish Adaptation of the Feeding Practices and Structure Questionnaire Milk Feeding and Solid Feeding Versions.Food science & nutrition · 2025Article
- Study on Nocturnal Infant Crying Evaluation (NICE) and Reflux Disease (RED).Children (Basel, Switzerland) · 2024Article
- The Remaining Challenge to Diagnose and Manage Cow's Milk Allergy: An Opinion Paper to Daily Clinical Practice.Nutrients · 2023Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundExcessive infant crying is common and can have a huge impact on families and well-being. Systematically reviewing qualitative studies on infant crying can provide a greater understanding of parental perceptions and experiences.
aimThis study sought to systematically review and thematically synthesize qualitative studies exploring parents/carers' views and experiences of infant crying.
designA systematic review and synthesis of qualitative research. DATA SOURCES: Electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and CINAHL were searched from the earliest date available to January 2022. We selected papers focussing on parents/carers' experiences, views, attitudes and beliefs about infant crying. We excluded papers focussing on health professionals' views and children older than 12 months. REVIEW
methodsThematic synthesis was followed for the analysis of included studies and quality appraisal was conducted.
resultsWe synthesized 22 papers, reporting data from 376 participants in eight countries. Four analytical themes were developed: (1) Experiences and impact of crying; (2) parental management strategies; (3) the role of the health professional; (4) the role of infant feeding and maternal diet. Our findings suggest that infant crying has a substantial emotional impact on parents/carers that often impacts relationships. Parents/carers reported using a range of soothing techniques and coping strategies but were desperate to find effective treatment or cure. Support was often perceived as lacking. Excessive crying and beliefs about the role of maternal diet on breastmilk were reported to undermine parents' confidence in breastfeeding by making them feel their milk is insufficient or harmful, or through pressure from others to stop breastfeeding.
conclusionParents/carers use a range of strategies to interpret and deal with the challenges of infant crying, but there is a need for more information and support. IMPACT: Findings can be used to inform future research and interventions to support families experiencing excessive infant crying.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.