Question

For over a month, the baby has been falling asleep while feeding during naps, but wakes up shortly after being placed on the bed, especially severe during the day. We have been supplementing with calcium and vitamin D, but the effects are not obvious, and we suspect it may be due to back problems.

Answer

Infant crying and sleep disturbances may be caused by calcium deficiency. Newborns’ central nervous systems are not fully developed, and the reflexes of being awake during the day and sleeping at night have not yet formed. If they sleep too much during the day, they may not want to go to sleep at night, and if adults do not comfort or hold them, the child will cry. Moreover, due to adults being tired throughout the day, they are not as sensitive to the baby’s hunger and urination responses as they are during the day, and inadequate response can also lead to crying. Infants with rickets, due to calcium deficiency, are prone to being startled, especially when there is a slight movement at night and they will wake up crying. Infants with chronic diseases such as tuberculosis and malnutrition may also cry at night. If an infant cries at night, it is important to consider the cause first and consciously train them to change the habit of being awake during the day and sleeping at night. For example, activities such as drinking water, changing diapers, taking cod liver oil and calcium tablets should be concentrated on during the day. Avoid overeating during the day; it is better to have smaller meals more frequently to allow the baby to wake up due to hunger. At the same time, gently tap or stroke the baby’s feet or make them laugh during the day; let them laugh a few times, take deep breaths, which can influence their deep sleep. This can force infants to sleep less during the day and gradually establish a habit of being awake during the day and sleeping at night. If an infant