[Medical Q&A] How should parents deal with a baby who has trouble sleeping at night?

Planning: He Tianyi Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Huazhong University of Science and Technology Medical College

Reviewer: Hao Yan, Chief Physician of Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Medical School

Babies are easily awakened at night and cry constantly, which makes many parents anxious. In fact, babies' restless sleep is not necessarily due to illness. First of all, the baby's sleep may be physiological, including shallow sleep, unsuitable environment, hunger, dependence on being held to sleep, or teething. Parents need to observe carefully and check one by one to find out the possible reasons. If possible reasons are found, the following coping strategies can be adopted.

Maintain a regular schedule, distinguish between day and night, get enough activity during the day, avoid excessive excitement before going to bed, and appropriately reduce nighttime feeding.

Create a good sleeping environment, keep it quiet, dark, and have appropriate temperature and humidity.

Make sure your baby is well fed before going to bed. Babies eat more frequently than adults and get hungry more easily, so eating properly helps them sleep.

4. Avoid holding your baby while sleeping to prevent him from becoming dependent.

5. Babies can use teething sticks to relieve discomfort during the teething period.

If the baby still has trouble sleeping after trying all the above methods, parents should consider the disease factor. Possible causes include rickets, indigestion, intussusception, milk protein allergy, etc. At this time, the baby should be taken to the hospital for examination in time for timely treatment to avoid affecting the baby's healthy growth.

When taking care of their babies, parents should not only observe carefully but also treat the situation rationally, correctly distinguish between physiological and pathological causes, and take appropriate measures.