Patient's question:
Symptoms: My friend's child often jumps up at night crying and flails their hands wildly in the air, as if they have been startled excessively. Sometimes they suck on milk non-stop for comfort, and if they eat too much, they may even vomit. During the day, they are quiet. This happens almost every night. Doctor, is this normal for the child? Could there be any illness? Does the child's grandmother's depression affect the child?Onset Time: Examination and test results:
Doctor's answer:
Newborns experiencing recurrent nighttime crying should first be evaluated for the cause. Children with rickets, due to calcium deficiency, are prone to being easily startled and may wake up and cry with slight disturbances at night. Children suffering from chronic conditions such as tuberculosis or malnutrition also often cry at night. If the crying is due to illness or malnutrition, it is recommended to seek follow-up medical care, treatment, or appropriate measures. If it is not due to illness, parents should consciously implement special training to address the child's. Parents can try to cluster activities such as giving the baby water, changing diapers, administering fish oil, and calcium supplements during the day. Avoid overfeeding the child at night and opt for small, frequent meals to ensure the child wakes up due to hunger.