Patient's question:
Detailed medical condition and consultation purpose: My child is 3 years old. Over the past half year, he cries awake 3 to 4 times every night. Some people say he is calcium-deficient, while others say he is magnesium-deficient. The adults are very tired and hope to get guidance from a doctor. Thank you.Doctor's answer:
The baby has been having trouble sleeping at night for a long time and is easily startled. It is also likely that they are calcium-deficient and have developed rickets. Generally, relying solely on breast milk is not sufficient to meet the baby's vitamin D needs. If the baby's body lacks vitamin D, it cannot promote calcium absorption, and in severe cases, it can lead to rickets. In the early stages of rickets, it may not manifest as waking up easily, but rather as difficulty sleeping at night, with the baby cooing and turning over.To address this "fussiness," it is important to supplement with vitamin D and calcium. Additionally, regularly consuming foods rich in calcium, such as yogurt, cheese, soft cheese, calcium-fortified orange juice, cabbage, and dark green leafy vegetables, as well as legumes and mashed foods, can be beneficial.