Question

Infants may experience unstable sleep at night due to increased neurological excitability. What factors might lead to poor sleep quality in infants, and what improvement suggestions can be provided?

Answer

Poor sleep quality in infants may be related to various factors, including:

  1. Deficiencies of Trace Elements: A decrease in blood calcium levels may cause enhanced excitability of the brain and autonomic nervous system, thereby affecting the infant’s sleep. In such cases, it is considered to supplement calcium and vitamin D. If an infant is deficient in calcium, their fontanel may close improperly; if deficient in zinc, cracks may appear at the corners of the mouth.
  2. Environmental Factors: An overly hot, cold, or dry environment, as well as nasal mucus blocking the nasal passages, may disrupt the infant’s sleep.
  3. Pre-sleep Activities: If infants are overly excited before bedtime, it may be difficult for them to enter a stable sleep state. It is suggested to engage infants in calming activities before bedtime.