What causes newborn babies to cry at night?
Oct 14, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Xie Zixing
Introduction
A newborn baby crying at night may be due to physiological needs, such as hunger or irritation from urine or stool after urinating or defecating. Additionally, if the baby is frightened during the day and not comforted promptly by caregivers, prolonged nervous tension can occur. Nighttime crying may also result from kicking off the blanket during sleep, leading to a cold abdomen or feet, which causes gastrointestinal discomfort.
Newborn babies may cry at night due to physiological needs, being frightened during the day, gastrointestinal discomfort, or other reasons.
1. Physiological Needs
Newborns cannot express their needs through language. If feeding intervals are too long and the baby remains hungry for an extended period, they typically cry to communicate this need. Additionally, after urination or bowel movements, irritation from urine or stool can make newborns uncomfortable, often leading them to cry or squirm restlessly.
2. Being Frightened During the Day
Newborns are not yet fully adapted to the external environment and generally lack a sense of security. If a newborn is frightened during the day and caregivers fail to comfort them promptly, the baby's nervous system may remain in a state of tension. This could lead to restless sleep, sudden awakening during the night, or nighttime crying.
3. Gastrointestinal Discomfort
A newborn's bodily functions are still immature, particularly the digestive system. If the baby kicks off the blanket during sleep, causing the abdomen or feet to become chilled, gastrointestinal discomfort may result. This can lead to symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, or bloating, and may also cause the baby to cry during the night.
