Question
Why does a child cry at night, possibly due to being scared or punished, and how can I help them feel secure to fall asleep?
Answer
Nighttime crying refers to a child’s restlessness during the night, which could be caused by factors such as fever, fright, tooth problems, hunger, or a wet diaper. Some of these are normal reactions, while others may have pathological causes. To address crying caused by hunger or a wet diaper, feeding the child or changing the diaper immediately can stop the crying. Some children have the habit of keeping the lights on during sleep, and they continue to cry after the lights are turned off, stopping only when the lights are turned back on. This might be because parents often work at night and cannot let the child fall asleep alone, leading to bad habits. It is advisable to gradually dim the indoor lighting to get the child accustomed to light changes and eventually turn off the lights.