Question
A one-year-old baby is in good spirits, has normal appetite and bowel movements, but has experienced a weight decrease. Since birth, the baby has had poor sleep quality, and the parents want to understand the possible causes.
Answer
The baby’s diet may be one of the reasons for the sleep issues. A deficiency in trace elements, particularly calcium, can affect the quality of deep sleep. Excessive sweating and easy startling are symptoms of calcium deficiency. In addition, the baby may be deficient in zinc, especially when they are growing rapidly or have a picky eating habit. Inadequate protein intake can also lead to zinc deficiency, as zinc is mainly found in protein-rich foods such as meats, dairy products, eggs, and legumes.