You may find yourself a bit perplexed at some of the terminology you’ve seen used throughout this site; terms like colic, high need (high needs) and spirited. There are many possible situations or triggers that may have brought you here, but one thing is fairly certain: your baby or child is fussier and ‘needier’ than you expected.
This post will point you to some of the best resources available on the topic of the high needs baby (we use high need and high needs interchangeably through this site). If you have a newborn who cries and fusses most of the time, you may have a high need baby. If you have a newborn who usually only cries in the evenings, or at set times during the day, he or she likely has colic, and should outgrow the excessive crying by around 3-4 months of age. If you have an older child (1 year+) who is fussy, resistant to routines and more persistent than other kids, you may have what we call a spirited child.
If your child is fussy due to temperament, then oftentimes we’ll see all 3 (colic, high need behaviours, spirited) over their first few years. Temperament is evident from as early as a couple of days old, and for many of us, this temperament was evident in our spirited kids right from birth!
If you have a high need baby, parenting is probably not what you expected. It’s gruelling work, and you may feel jealous and resentful that everyone else seems to have ‘easy’ babies. Please know that there are many parents (myself included) who are here to support you through this journey.
These high need babies really do turn out to be the most amazing kids…all the extra effort you put in now will pay off in spades over the next few years!
Sleep Training a High Need Baby
6 Sleep Tips for High Need Babies (Free eBook)
Sleep Training and High Need Babies (eBook)
High Need Baby Fact Sheet (Free Download)
Is There Really Such a Thing as a High Need Baby? [Research]
The Complete High Need Baby Resource Guide
You’re Not Letting Me Have The Happy Home I Wanted: A Letter to My High Need Child
What I Wish Doctors Knew About High Need Babies
Nothing is Wrong….She’s Just a High Need Baby
Do High Need Babies Turn Into High Need Kids?
When Do High Need Babies Get Easier?
The 9 Causes of Colic, Fussiness, High Need Behaviour and the Spirited Temperament [Satire]
High Need Baby Badges For Your Website or Blog
This is Not the Child I Dreamt of
Ages and Stages of the High Need Baby
Why It’s Not ‘Just’ Colic or Fussiness
Characteristics of the Spirited (High Need) Child
12 Features of a High Need Baby (Dr. Sears)
Raising a High Needs Baby (Dr. Sears)
High-Need Baby (Today’s Parent)
Could You Have a High Need Baby? (5 Minutes for Mom)
4 Bits of Advice for Parents of High Need Babies
How to Get Things Done with a High Need Baby
7 Great Products for High Need Babies
Taking Your High Need Child to a Playgroup
Holly’s Story: Life with a High Need Baby
Kimberly’s Story: How to Survive With a High Need Baby
Kimberly’s Story: Single and Unemployed With a High Need Baby
Nadine’s Story: Accepting a High Need Baby
Kristin’s Story: My Son’s Colic and High Needs Contributed to My Postpartum Depression
Rhonda’s Story: How We’ve Survived a High Need Baby
Sherry’s Story: Having a High Need Baby After Infertility
Jennifer’s Story: Having 2 High Need Babies
Jill’s Story: Having a High Need Twin
Liwen’s Story: Running on Empty
The Fussy Baby Site Facebook Page
The Fussy Baby Site Private Facebook Support Group – Babies
The Fussy Baby Site Private Facebook Support Group – Toddlers+
Image courtesy of Donnie Ray Jones under CC 2.0
Research On High Need Babies [Fact Sheet]
50 Secrets To Parenting A Spirited Child
What Is A High Need Baby?
What’s The Best Parenting Style For High Need Kids?
Do You Have A High Need Baby or Spirited Child? [Quiz]
7 Tips For Flying With A Fussy Baby