Question
A 52-day-old baby can often sleep for three to four hours during the day, but at night, the baby’s sleep becomes short and they are prone to waking up, requiring to be picked up and comforted to fall asleep again. What might be the reasons for this situation, and how should it be handled?
Answer
This situation may be due to the baby’s reversed day-night rhythm. The reversed day-night rhythm in newborns is often caused by caregivers not properly guiding the baby’s sleep habits. If the baby sleeps too much during the day, they will naturally be full of energy at night, lacking sleepiness, and finding it hard to fall asleep. This can be frustrating for caregivers, as the baby may require constant attention, otherwise, they might cry and fuss endlessly. To address this issue, it is recommended to gradually adjust the baby’s sleep pattern, reduce daytime sleep hours, and create a quiet and comfortable sleep environment at night. Additionally, establishing a fixed bedtime routine, such as gentle lullabies or gentle massages, can help the baby relax and fall asleep more easily.