Patient's question:
Restless when sleeping, always crying, body straining accompanied by groaning sounds, starting from the 8th day onwardsDoctor's answer:
Analysis of the Condition: Reasons and Solutions for Baby's Restlessness and Crying During Sleep1. Deficiency of trace elements, leading to decreased blood calcium, which increases the excitability of the brain and vegetative nervous system, causing the baby to sleep uncomfortably at night. Calcium and vitamin D supplementation are needed. If calcium is deficient, the baby's fontanelles may not close properly. If zinc is deficient, the baby's corners of the mouth may often develop sores.
2. Too hot or too cold.
3. Too dry, with nasal mucus.
Suggestions:
4. Excessive excitement before sleep; go to sleep on time.
- 30 to 60 minutes before the baby goes to sleep, they should be calmed down. Avoid playing too excitedly before bed or overstimulating the baby. Watching stimulating TV shows, telling scary stories, or playing with new toys before bed should be avoided. Create a good sleep environment for the baby: suitable room temperature, quiet, and dim lighting. 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 assume that if the baby cries at night, it is hungry and then feed the baby. However, this is a bad habit, as it may lead the baby to develop a habit of waking up at night to eat.
7. Indigestion, poor digestion, heat, or overeating at night can also cause sleep disturbances. Solid foods like porridge or noodles should be fed at least two to three hours before bed, followed by a small amount of milk before sleep.
8. Breastfeeding babies' attachment to the breast. (This is a common issue among breastfeeding babies.)
9. If feeding is necessary at night, ensure a quiet environment. When feeding or changing diapers at night, keep the baby in a semi-sleep state (do not let them wake up completely). This way, after feeding and changing diapers, it will be easier for them to fall back asleep. Gradually reduce the frequency of nighttime feedings to prevent the baby from developing a habit of eating at night.
Life Care Tips:
10. If the baby wakes up at night to urinate, it is recommended to use a diaper to prevent urination from disrupting sleep. If using a diaper, ensure it is not too tight.
11. Place the baby in the crib as soon as you notice signs of sleepiness. It is best to let the baby fall asleep on their own. If you always hold or rock the baby to sleep, they may only fall asleep when held or rocked when they wake up at night.
12. Do not let the baby sleep with a pacifier. Pacifiers are for feeding, not for sleeping. If the baby falls asleep with a pacifier, gently remove it before placing them in the crib.
13. Do not immediately respond to the baby's crying. Wait a few minutes, as most babies will naturally fall back asleep within a few minutes of waking. If the baby continues to cry, calmly comfort them without turning on the lights or playing with them. If the crying intensifies, check again after two minutes and consider whether they are hungry, need a diaper change, or have a fever. If there are no other discomforts, the baby may simply be accustomed to waking up at night. If you always pick them up or feed them immediately upon waking, it may create a vicious cycle. When the baby wakes up at night (they should be drowsy), do not immediately pick them up or play with them. Instead, gently pat and soothe them to help them fall back asleep. Most drowsy babies will gradually fall asleep on their own. As they grow older, they may still wake up at night, sometimes whining. Initially, it may be tempting to pick them up, but this may fully wake them, making it difficult to fall back asleep. Later, it was noticed that this might be due to dreaming. The baby was watched quietly nearby without disturbing them, and indeed, after a while, they became quiet again and continued sleeping.
14. Uncomfortable bedding or sleeping position.