Question
A 28-day-old baby always jumps and wakes up during her afternoon nap, and she only falls asleep when held. After falling asleep, she sometimes wakes up as if from a nightmare, looking scared and then starts crying. What’s happening?
Answer
These reactions in newborns are usually normal physiological responses, as they have just transitioned from the familiar environment of the womb to the outside world and need time to adapt to the changes in external sounds, light, and temperature. These changes may make the baby feel uncomfortable, leading to crying out. As the baby gradually adapts to the external environment, these phenomena will gradually diminish. Parents can consider supplementing calcium for the baby, taking them outdoors more often to bask in the sun to promote calcium absorption, and help the baby grow healthily.