The observation that infants with troublesome crying improve quickly during hospital admission suggested that, if true, a common, quickly reversible, factor may operate. It was also observed in the histories from the parents of such infants that much work goes into trying to console them. It is hypothesised that this may lead to excessive/inappropriate stimulation and the improvement seen in hospital reflects a reduction/change in stimulation. Two studies were undertaken: 1) To validate the first observation subjects would have to be randomised to home or hospital management. Study 1 was a pilot study which indicated that too few carers were willing to be randomised but there was strong indication of improvement in mother's distress and in crying in hospital. In a group advised to reduce stimulation at home similar improvement justified the second study. The subjects enrolled for Study 1 were paired with age-matched controls. Biographical data and a measure of carers' distress in the two groups was compared. In this way, a description of the cohort was obtained. 2) Study 2 was a randomised controlled study of the effect of advice to reduce stimulation in addition to an empathic interview. Non-parametric statistical methods were used to measure change in crying and in carers' distress. The results indicated that the advice was helpful.