Patient's question:
Woke up crying at 2 or 3 in the morning, lying on the bed,
The child is seven months old
Doctor's answer:
Hello, the central nervous system development of newborns is not yet mature, and the conditioned reflex of day/night sleep patterns has not been established. If they sleep too long during the day, they may resist falling asleep at night and will 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 diaper changes, leading to delayed responses that can cause crying. Children with rickets, due to calcium deficiency, are prone to being easily startled and may cry or wake up at the slightest noise during the night. Children suffering from chronic conditions like 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 adjust their day/night cycle. Activities such as drinking, changing diapers, taking fish oil or calcium supplements should be concentrated during the day. Avoid overfeeding the child in the daytime; instead, opt for smaller, more frequent meals to ensure they wake up due to hunger. Meanwhile, gently tapping or scratching their soles or amusing them to make them laugh and take deep breaths can disrupt their sleep. This helps encourage less daytime sleep and gradually establishes a routine of being awake during the day and asleep at night.
If the child suffers from conditions like rickets, tuberculosis, or malnutrition, prompt treatment is necessary. Once these illnesses are cured, the nighttime crying should naturally subside.