Patient's question:
The child is now six months old. Since more than three months ago, they have been crying every night. But as long as they are picked up and rocked, they can fall asleep. However, they must be rocked to sleep properly, otherwise they will wake up as soon as they are put down. They cry ten times a night, waking up every half hour. It's not that they aren't full, and I suspect they might be calcium deficient. I have been taking calcium and vitamin D for two months, but there has been no improvement. If they are still calcium deficient, how can I supplement it effectively? Or if it's not a calcium deficiency, how can this problem be resolved?First follow-up question: They don't sleep much during the day, only about an hour in the morning and afternoon each. And they are well-fed before bedtime. I suspect that the calcium I'm taking isn't being absorbed. Which kind of calcium is better? Do I still need to take vitamin D?
Doctor's answer:
Hello: The central nervous system development of newborns is not yet mature, and the conditioned reflex of day waking and night sleeping has not been established. If they sleep too long during the day, they may refuse to fall asleep at night and cry incessantly without being comforted or carried by adults. Additionally, adults, tired after a long day, may be less sensitive to their child's hunger or the need for urination and defecation, and delayed responses can also cause the child to cry. Children with rickets are prone to easily being startled due to calcium deficiency in their bodies, and they may cry and wake up at the slightest noise during the night. Children suffering from chronic diseases such as tuberculosis or malnutrition also often cry at night.When a child cries at night, the first step is to analyze the cause and consciously train them to change their day-night reversal pattern. Try to concentrate drinking, changing diapers, taking fish oil and calcium tablets, and other activities during the day. Avoid overfeeding during the day and opt for smaller, more frequent meals instead. This way, the child may wake up due to hunger, and at the same time, gently tapping or scratching their soles or amusing them to make them laugh and take deep breaths can disrupt their sleep. This can help reduce daytime sleep and gradually establish a routine of being awake during the day and sleeping at night.
If the child suffers from diseases such as rickets, tuberculosis, or malnutrition, timely treatment is necessary. Once these conditions are cured, the night crying will naturally subside.