Patient's question:
My child is one month old. His appetite is still quite good, and he eats a lot, but he sleeps little and not soundly. Why is that?Doctor's answer:
Reasons and Solutions for a Baby's Unstable Sleep1. Lack of trace elements, leading to decreased blood calcium, which increases the excitability of the brain and vegetative nervous system, causing the baby to sleep poorly at night. Calcium and vitamin D need to be supplemented. If the baby lacks calcium, the fontanelles may not close properly; if they lack zinc, their corners of the mouth may often be cracked.
2. Too hot or too cold.
3. Too dry, with nasal mucus.
4. Too excited before sleep, or going to bed on time: One hour before the baby goes to sleep, they should be calmed down. Avoid playing too excitedly before bed or overstimulating them. This can prevent the baby from having difficulty falling asleep due to excessive excitement or tension. Avoid watching stimulating TV shows, telling scary stories, or playing with new toys before bed. Create a good sleep environment for the baby. The room should be at a comfortable temperature, quiet, and dimly lit. Use lightweight, soft, and dry bedding. The baby should be taken to the bathroom before bed.
5. Check for pinworms around the anus.
6. Many mothers think their baby is hungry when they wake up at night and then feed them. However, this is a bad habit. Doing so may create a routine where the baby expects to be fed when they wake up at night.
7. Indigestion, poor digestion, heatiness, or eating too much at night can also cause sleep disturbances. Solid foods like porridge or noodles should be fed at least two to three hours before bed. A little milk can be given before bed.
10. If the baby wakes up at night because they need to urinate, I believe they should use a diaper. This way, it won’t be affected by potty training, which can disrupt their sleep. If a diaper is used, it must not be too tight.