Question
Newborns often show signs of not wanting to sleep at night, prompting parents to seek solutions. What factors might cause this situation, and how can parents effectively help their babies improve their sleep?
Answer
Younger infants are particularly sensitive to environmental factors, with overly loud, sharp, or stimulating noises potentially startling them, which is related to the incomplete development of their nervous system. As they grow older, this sensitivity usually diminishes. When babies are startled, parents should provide appropriate soothing. Additionally, newborns tend to have lighter sleep, during which they may exhibit actions such as opening their eyes, suckling, crying, or looking around, which are generally meaningless behaviors. Parents should not be overly concerned and mistakenly believe that their child’s sleep is poor or restless.