Question
My child can’t sleep at night, frequently waking up.
Answer
The following are some reasons why your baby may have difficulty sleeping at night:
- Often, babies eat too much, causing discomfort in the abdomen; or they may feel hungry if they eat too little, leading to crying and refusal to sleep. If this is the case, it’s important to find a balance and ensure the baby eats an appropriate amount, neither too much nor too little.
- If the diaper is wet and not changed promptly, or if the clothing is too tight or the blanket too thick, the baby may feel uncomfortable and express their dissatisfaction by crying and not sleeping. Therefore, it’s best to dress the baby in loose, soft clothes for sleep and ensure the blanket is of appropriate thickness. Wet diapers should be changed immediately.
- Check if there are mosquito bites or eczema on the baby’s body, as these can cause severe itching, especially at night when it’s quiet. Babies cannot express themselves and can only cry and not sleep to draw their parents’ attention.
- Check the baby for trace elements; a calcium deficiency can also cause such symptoms.
- Abdominal cold causing abdominal pain can also lead to poor sleep. Mothers should pay attention to keeping their baby’s abdomen warm, giving them more warm water to drink, and consider putting on a small belly warmer for the baby.
- Is the indoor air too dry, causing discomfort in the upper respiratory tract? It is recommended to give the baby more water to drink and use a humidifier or place several pots of water indoors to increase humidity.