The Kranky Kid Syndrome

One of the most important milestones that parents reach is when they understand what is making Baby unhappy. When children are still babies it is relatively easy to get hold of what is making them uneasy. A wet diaper, an empty stomach, or the usual colic can lead to panic ridden caregivers who simply don't know how to stop Baby from crying.But when babies get older it becomes more difficult to deal with those moments when you cannot understand why your son or daughter is totally smitten by even the slightest inconvenience.

As babies grow up into infants and toddlers, they become aware of the world around them and start to have more complex interactions with the outside environment. Parents also start to see the surfacing of the child's personality as the toddler learns to discriminate between what he likes or dislikes. The problem at this age is that since children have not fully developed verbal skills, they are unable to communicate what is bothering them.

With time and experience parents learn to decipher their child's crankiness and act accordingly. Parents soon learn that children get easily upset when they are sleepy or hungry or are simply tired and need to rest, but there are a variety of more subtle factors that transform an adorable child into a whining brat.

What causes a Kranky Kid and tips to deal with it

• The child is sick or in pain. As many experienced parents will tell you a sick child is usually cranky. Many times the child is unhappy because he or she does not feel well and is frustrated because of the pain in the ears or a stuffy nose.

Tip Watch out for what is making the child unhappy. If you see that the child pulling his ear, or is developing a cough or runny nose, consult your doctor to see the best way to alleviate the symptoms. It is also a good idea to check out for fever so that you can give the doctor a more clear picture.

• Allergies are a common aliment for many young kids and it is very common for a new parent to wrongly assume that the child has a cold. If your child is easily upset and you see him rubbing his eyes or nose, scratching, or complaining of a tummy ache, it could be he has come in contact with something to which he is allergic. Unfortunately the spectrum of allergies is so vast that it is impossible to cover it in this hub, so I will briefly focus on just 3 most common types.

- Food allergies - The child is uneasy and develops a rash or tummy ache when he injests a particular food or drink.

- Allergies which occur on contact with the skin. Aggressive laundry detergents, soap and some types of fabrics may irritate the child's delicate skin and cause a rash or eczema.The child is uneasy and starts scratching the irritated part of his body.

- Allergies caused by air borne particles such as dust, pet hair, pollen etc.Usually these cause a stuffy or running nose and itchy eyes, and can be easily mistaken for a cold.

Tip.If you suspect your child is allergic to something, consult your doctor and describe the symptoms you are seeing. Don't underestimate the risk of allergies and remember that paediatricians recommend that you don't give nuts to children under the age of 6.

• Boredom - the attention span of young children is extremely short. Kids tend to get bored easily if they are doing some thing for a long time. At this age children automatically seek stimulation that keeps them entertained and teaches them new things. Many parents often assume that if they give children toys, it will keep them busy for hours, and are surprised when a kid gets bored with a new toy after playing with it for a very brief span.

Tip In many cases children prefer having the attention of their parents or caregivers rather than toys because it is naturally more stimulating and they can learn more. If a child is bored or tired with a toy, try to give him your undivided attention for a few minutes, and ask him what he wants to do. Even at an age when they are still unable to talk clearly, children have a surprising ability to make themselves understood.

• Uprooting children from their usual schedules confuses and upsets small kids who love routine. Giving children a routine where food, play time and naps are always at the same time helps them function at best. Being in unfamiliar surroundings which are noisy or scaring can easily upset young children who do not fully understand what is happening around them.

Tip Simply try to plan the unusual activity so that it is the least upsetting for the child. Respect meal times as much as possible by carrying food with you when you are outdoors and try to do the same thing for napping. If you are going for a walk in the park when the child usually naps, bring the stroller or let him sleep on a blanket so that he can still have his usual nap. If the child is in an unfamiliar place which is scaring him, try to take him to a quiet place and reassure him that all is well.

• An incorrect diet- Food and drinks containing a lot of sugar, such as candy, sweetened drinks, sodas or undiluted juices and chocolate, give children a short lived burst of energy that leaves them feeling drained.

Tip Go for healthy food such as fruit and vegetables as a snack, and dilute fruit juices with water. Water is a good thirst quencher, which is essential for our body hydration, and milk is a nutritious drink that is vital for a growing kid.

• Teething - one of the most common reasons that makes infants and young toddlers cranky is teething. If the child starts drooling, pulling his ears or rubbing his gums with toys, it might be that he is teething. In some cases teething is also accompanied by fever and diarrhea.

Tip Teethe-rs, a cold wet cloth on the sore gums and over the counter remedies all help to make the situation better. If you see the condition getting worse after a couple of days, consult your doctor.

• The child is feeling hot or dehydrated. In the hot summer months, it is normal to see children getting easily upset, when they get too hot or thirsty, especially if they are playing outdoors.

Tip Simply take the child out of the sun and give him plenty to drink. You can also try to refresh him by wiping his face, neck and hands with a cool wet cloth.

Many times when we have a hard day and are under stress we lose our patience more easily. Children can get upset if they see that their caregiver is angry or stressed out. Our aggression is sensed by the children and they get uncomfortable because they don't understand what is happening. This obviously leads to a vicious circle which makes it harder for us.

A whining child is one of the worst nightmares for a parent who already has a hard day.

Some simple advice, be nice to yourself and get a few minutes break before returning back to the battle ground. The calmer you are, the better your chances of bringing back a smile on your child's face