Question
In recent days, the 13-month-old baby has been waking up suddenly at night and crying, and no amount of soothing seems to help; it takes a while for the baby to fall asleep again. During the day, the baby has become especially clingy, always wanting to be held, and will cry if not held. This change from the baby’s previous independent play behavior is confusing for parents. Moreover, the baby has also been eating less recently. Parents are unsure how to address these issues.
Answer
A 13-month-old baby waking up at night crying could be a sign of calcium deficiency, which can lead to a decrease in the quality of deep sleep. It is recommended that parents take the baby to the hospital for a blood calcium test to determine if there is a calcium deficiency. If diagnosed with a calcium deficiency, timely calcium supplementation should be initiated, which may include giving the baby calcium gluconate and pairing it with consumption of foods rich in calcium such as soy products, to promote calcium absorption. Typically, after supplementation, the baby’s sleep quality improves.