Fussy Baby Network®

Erikson Institute’s Fussy Baby Network helps families struggling with their infants’ crying, sleeping, or feeding.

Our infant specialists are here to help — not to judge. We take calls from around the world. And the call is free. An infant specialist will answer your call Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time. After hours, we will respond to your message the next business day.

In addition to free phone consultations, the Fussy Baby Network offers:

All services in English and Spanish.
In-home, $40 consultations from infant specialists. Sliding scale payment is available.
Online, community, and hospital-based groups.

Since 2003, Fussy Baby Network has touched the lives of thousands of families.

240

"Warmline" calls for assistance annually

300

Home visits for face-to-face guidance annually

Are you wiped out? Worried your baby has colic? Uncertain about the way your baby is crying, sleeping, or feeding?

If you’re looking for extra support, then call us. If you’re stressed and can’t put your baby down, call our “warmline.”

No judgment. Just help.
Call 1 (888) 431-2229

or email [email protected]

“

A Fussy Baby Infant Specialist called me, and she was so wonderful. I was bawling on the phone at work. I was so stressed out. Our child care provider was saying we needed to meet her needs without picking her up. The infant specialist was a lifesaver to me and gave me the confidence I needed to do what was best for my child.

”

Maggie Steffy•Parent and Fussy Baby client

Here to help

On the phone

We call our phone support a “warmline” because that’s what our infant specialists are: Warm, caring, and knowledgeable. We work to provide the best, research-supported information to parents in a compassionate and sensitive way. We offer all of our services in English and Spanish, and we will answer the phone Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. We will return after-hours calls the next business day.

Call (888) 431-BABY (2229)

At your home

Sometimes a phone call isn’t enough, especially when taking care of a baby is such a hands-on and overwhelming experience. In those cases, we will come to you within a week of your call. We will talk about your baby’s day, think about strategies to soothe and calm your baby, and explore ways that you can enjoy your baby more. The visits are $40 and offered on a sliding scale — no family will be turned away for financial reasons.

To request a home visit in Cook County, call (888) 431-BABY (2229) or email us at [email protected].

Parent groups

We travel to hospitals and community centers across the Chicago region, helping caregivers learn how to cope with and soothe fussy babies. More than anything else, these group sessions help families realize they are not alone. To learn more about our philosophy for supporting families, go to our Facilitating Attuned Interactions (FAN) page.

If you’re interested in hosting a parent support group or Fussy Baby class, contact Linda Horwitz at [email protected] or (312) 566-4466

When you call the Fussy Baby Network or a member of our staff visits your home, you likely will work with one of these infant specialists.

“

Nancy’s areas of expertise include colic, sleep in the first year, and postpartum depression.

”

Nancy Mork•More about Nancy

“

Linda is a child development specialist and specializes in working with premature babies.

”

Linda Horwitz•More about Linda

Meet the Fussy Baby Team

Do you have a fussy baby but don’t live in Chicago?

Fussy Baby Network Chicago provides phone support to any family. We receive calls from all over the world. We also have partners — members of our Fussy Baby National Network — that offer similar programs in six cities:

“

We know that excessive crying can really be stressful for families. We know that it can correlate with increased conflict between parenting partners. Early support can make a difference for you and your baby.

”

Linda Gilkerson, PhD•Executive Director, Fussy Baby Network

No issue is too small for a worried parent.
No judgment. Just help. Call us at 1 (888) 431-BABY(2229)

“

It was extremely challenging to come to terms with the mix of conflicted emotions that dealing with a fussy baby produced in me. I felt inadequate and ashamed to share my fears and concerns with other moms. The Fussy Baby Network gave me the confidence to enjoy motherhood and build a relationship with my babies built on love, nurturing, and mutual understanding.

”

Elizabeth Aguilar•Parent and Fussy Baby client

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